Model of the month November 2025
Precision work: The Dassault-Breguet/Dornier “Alpha Jet”
From the original to the model
The more than 1,000 scale models, primarily in the international standards 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32.
Such true-to-life miniatures give visitors to the museum an overview of the history of technology, not only of the individual exhibits (sometimes even as the only opportunity to see a real three-dimensional display if no original survives), but also of the development of aircraft construction through the possibility of sequencing and comparison. Sometimes they even fill gaps in the presentation of the originals. Their craftsmanship alone is a pleasure to behold.
Today, in our “Model of the Month” series, we present the Alpha Jet from 1973. The German-French training and light combat aircraft was a milestone in Western European military aviation and remains an example of successful armaments cooperation.
The Aviation Museum displays models of this type in 1/48 and 1/72 scale in its Hall 2.
The models
Beautiful kits of the Alpha Jet in the standard 1/72 scale were produced in the 1970s and 1980s by almost all major manufacturers – Matchbox, Heller, Revell, Airfix, Fujiimi, and later also KP – covering all versions of the type. Matchbox is particularly noteworthy here – the British company's short-lived involvement in plastic model making produced some remarkable kits, such as the first Alpha Jet kit, even before the original took its maiden flight!
The original
The Alpha Jet, a bilateral project for a training and light combat aircraft, flew as a prototype in 1973 and entered service at the end of the 1970s. Jointly designed and built by Dassault-Breguet in France and Dornier in Germany, the air forces of both countries were the clients and main customers for the type, of which a total of around 500 were manufactured. Due to Germany's reluctance to export military equipment at the time, worldwide exports were primarily handled by the French side.
Like the MRCA Tornado development and procurement programme, which ran at around the same time, this aircraft was also evidence of the European NATO partners' desire for greater independence from the leading power, the USA.
The twin-engine, technically complex multi-purpose aircraft with a tandem cockpit featured an elegant design and excellent aerodynamics. Built until the early 1980s, the French and Portuguese aerobatic teams also flew this type for several years.
Precision work
The Armée de l'air used the E version as a training aircraft and weapons trainer, while in the German Air Force, the Alpha Jet A replaced the Fiat G.91 as a light combat aircraft in fighter-bomber squadrons 41, 43 and 49, as well as in the training command in Beja, Portugal. In addition to an optional 27 or 30 mm MK, the model could be equipped with up to 2,500 kg of external load. Initially viewed with scepticism by pilots due to its small size, the design ultimately proved itself in both roles with its agility, reliability and compatibility as a Franco-German precision-engineered product tailored to the needs of Western European air forces.
Partially upgraded, the Alpha Jet was also used by the air forces of Belgium, Egypt, Cameroon, Togo, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Qatar, Thailand and Portugal. However, the manufacturer's hopes for large orders were ultimately not fulfilled, as various competing models on the market were simpler in design – e.g. single-engine – and therefore cheaper to purchase, operate and maintain.
In the wake of the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact, German reunification and contractual agreements after 1990, the Alpha Jets of the German Air Force were gradually phased out, with the last operational flight taking place in June 1997.
Alpha Jet data sheet:
Length 12.47 m; wingspan 9.11 m; empty weight 3,515 kg, max. take-off weight 6,000 kg; crew: 2; engine: 2 x SNECMA TL 04-C20 turbofan; maximum speed 994 km/h; range 1,080 km; first flight October 1973; number built: 508.
Welcome!
Have we sparked your interest in our collections, which include over 40 originals and faithful replicas of gliders, light aircraft, commercial aircraft and military aircraft, twice as many engines, hundreds of pieces of equipment and our model collection? Then we look forward to seeing you at Ulmer Straße close to the Hannover Exhibition Centre!
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You can contact the author of the Model of the Month series here: Autor-MdM