-thanks for the silver rank

AG-1 cockpit
AG-2
AG-3 fuel ejection
AG-4 weapons ejection
AG-5
AG-6
AG-7 Hook deployment and AG-8 engines
--History
photo of the PT-08 -1958

Name: EAF-65 "Vortex II"
Origin: European Aero-Fighter (EAF) consortium, comprising France, West Germany, Italy, and Belgium.
PT-10 (1959)

PT-17 1960

Development Context

In response to the limitations of the F-104 Starfighter and increasing Cold War tensions, several European nations launched a joint project in 1961 to develop a supersonic multirole fighter and interceptor. The goal was to counter the Soviet MiG-21 while offering greater reliability and manoeuvrability than the Starfighter.

The result was the EAF-65 Vortex II, a sleek aircraft featuring swept wings (not delta) with leading-edge root extensions to enhance lift at low speeds.

Technical Specifications

Engine: Euroram T.68 turbojet with afterburner (based on the Rolls-Royce Avon)

Maximum Speed: Mach 2.15

Service Ceiling: 19,500 m

Range: 1,700 km standard; up to 3,200 km with drop tanks

Radar: EWS-7 multi-mode radar, capable of tracking up to 4 targets simultaneously

Armament

2 × 25 mm cannons mounted at the wing roots, 500 rounds each

4 × long-range missiles (Matra 530, Skyflash, or European equivalents)

2 × short-range missiles (R.550 Magic or similar)

Combat Performance

The Vortex II proved vastly superior to both the MiG-21 and the F-4 Phantom in close-range air combat:

More agile than the F-4 thanks to its wing design and thrust-to-weight ratio

Capable of outmanoeuvring the MiG-21 while retaining better energy and stability

At long range, it outperformed the MiG-21 but remained slightly inferior to the F-4 in terms of radar and active radar-guided missile capabilities

Operational History and Exports

First flight: 4 February 1965
Entered service: March 1968
Total built: 2,120 units (production ended in 1982)

Primary Users:

France

West Germany

Italy

Belgium

Israel

India

Thailand

Indonesia

Philippines

Combat Service

Israel deployed the Vortex II during air clashes in the 1970s, particularly against Syrian MiG-21s. In several documented engagements, the Vortex II achieved an impressive kill ratio, thanks largely to its powerful cannons in dogfights.

India used the aircraft for high-altitude border patrols, while other Asian nations operated it primarily in the interceptor role.

Retirement

The Vortex II remained in service in some countries until the mid-2000s, particularly in upgraded variants (featuring Doppler radar, new ejection seats, and data-link systems). It was eventually phased out in favour of aircraft like the Mirage 2000, Tornado, and F-16.