Soko Galeb and Jastreb

G2-A, Galeb, J-1 Jastreb

Origin: "Soko" Metalopreradivacka Industrija, Yugoslavia.

Type: (Galeb) dual armed trainer: Jastreb, single-seat attack.

Engine: One Rolls-Royce Viper single-shaft turbojet; (G) 2,500lb (11 34kg) thrust Mk 22-6: (J) 3,0001b (1360kg) Mk 531.

Dimensions: Span (excluding tip tanks) 34ft 4Jin (10-47m); (J) 34ft 8in: length 33ft 11 in (10-34m): (J) 35ft 1Jin; height 10ft 9in (3-28m): (J) 11ft 114in.

Weights: Empty 5,775lb (2620kg): (J) 6,2171b maximum loaded 9,2101b (4178kg): (G, clean, fully aerobatic) 7,4381b; (J) 10,2871b.

Performance: Maximum speed 505mph (81 2km/h); (J) 510mph: initial climb 4,500ft (1370m)/min; service ceiling 39,375ft (12,000m): range (hi, max fuel) 770 miles (1240km): (J) 945 miles.

Armament: (G) 127mm guns in nose, each with 80 rounds: underwing pylons for two 220lb (100kg) bombs, or light loads of rockets. (J) three 127mm in nose, each with 135 rounds: eight underwing hardpoints, two furthest inboard carrying stores of 5511b (250kg), the rest single 127mm rockets.

History: First flight (G) May 1961: service delivery (G) 1965.

Users: Libya, Yugoslavia, Zambia.

Above: Three-view of Soko G2-A Galeb (TJ-1 similar).

seat Galeb (Seagull) has been fully developed and built in modest numbers for the Yugoslav Air Force and Zambia. Pupil and instructor sit in Folland lightweight seats, and an air-conditioning system is an option. The Jastreb (Hawk.) uses a similar airframe, with local strengthening for the more powerful engine and heavier external stores. Again Zambia has received an export version, but without the optional cabin pressurization and self – contained engine-start system. Jastrebs can carry cameras in the fuselage and in the nose of the tip tanks, and also tow an aerial target.

Left: This echelon of Jastrebs shows the basic J-1 attack version in service with the Yugoslav Air Force. This model has nose armament of three ‘fifty-calibre’ Colt-Browning guns and a total of eight underwing pylons for various stores. There are also RJ-1 reconnaissance and various export versions. All have the Viper 531 engine, as does the tandem-seat Jastreb trainer which looks very similar to the lower-powered Galeb.

Below: First flown in 1961, the Soko G2-A Galeb has been made in appreciable numbers both for the Yugoslav Air Force and for export. Normal armament comprises two heavy machine guns of familiar Colt-Browning type, plus light bomb, rocket and other loads under the wings. Now supplementing this type in service, the TJ-1 (trainer Jastreb) has the single-seat Jastreb’s more і powerful self-starting engine and additional avionics.