Pkf.85-T • Falke Trainer (two seater) with Service Mover

The Falke Trainer was built from early 2006, on and off, until the Fall of 2008. For the build diary, click here.

Conceived as a two seater trainer version of the Falke, I imagine the second set of dive brakes are in the control of the Flight Instructor.

Much like a second steering wheel on a student driver car.

Here the Flight Instructor waits, on his lunch break.

He is drinking a juice box (Capri Sun?) and eating a sandwich (Turkey?).

The Falke Trainer sits on the Service Mover, a tracked vehicle specially designed to transport this much heavier version of the Falke.

The Instructor is pretty easy going...

...and today he seems a little tired.

It is a stressful job, training the cadets.

The Trainer itself is in good condition, being relatively new... it has not crashed into things, yet.

The Trainer is the second model to see service. The Mercenary Army would of course like to have more at their disposal, but these kinds of things are very expensive, and sometimes seen as a luxury.

This is the third Service Mover built, and it is the only one configured to carry the Falke Trainers. The first Trainer is currently in the shop, as it was recently dropped in a field on a training exercise. No one was seriously injured, but nerves were rattled.

The engine has been turbo charged to help overcome the increased mass of the vehicle.

It is said to handle a little sluggishly, when compared to a standard Falke. But it is also more forgiving in flight, which the cadets are grateful for.

It's a brute!

But still admired by most, and if rumors are to be believed, even some of the Strahl begrudgingly admire the Falke.

The second cockpit is slightly more cramped than the standard cockpit, if you can believe it!

And the Instructor complains about the engine noise and heat.

The wider booms help the Antigravity Balls displace the weight more effectively.

Some ground crew have nicknamed this configuration the DragonFalke, a reference to the Dragonfly.

The extra set of dive brakes make this instantly recognizable at a glance.

Especially from above.

The Trainer Falkes all have been branded with the Wakaba mark (???????).

This "young leaf" symbol designates the vehicle as being under the power of a new Pilot!

The space normally occupied by the minigun or laser is, on the Trainer, a sensor package.

This sensor package records and transmits all of the flight data to the Instructor, and the ground crew.

It has low-level AI on-board as well, in case of a catastrophic Pilot failure.

The engine on this particular craft is slightly more exposed than normal, but the lack of armor is not seen as a liability.

This Falke does not see combat.

It is completely unarmed!

Part of the sensor's duties is to simulate targeting and firing exercises while in flight.

So that by the time the Trainee is finished with the program, they can effectively hit the enemy in a live-fire situation.

In fact, most graduate Pilots claim the larger more cumbersome Trainer Falke conditions then in a such a way that by the time they sit behind a Standard Attack Falke, it is easy to fly and handles like a dream!

This program is now a rite of passage for the Mercenary Pilots.

Most young cadets dream of qualifying for the program.

Of course, only a fraction of applicants are accepted.

Falkes are always in short supply as well. It is an elite group!

The Trainer Falke intakes are also different from a standard Falke. They are bigger and accommodate the turbo system.

Looking at the underside, the fourth Antigravity Ball is immediately apparent.

It is necessary to overcome the added mass of the craft and second pilot.

The sensor package is relatively compact.

It requires a small power plant with a large heat sink, seen here to the right of the sensor's outer casing.

It is doubtful many of these Trainers will be manufactured.

The Wakaba mark is echoed in the identification bands, which are the stripes that ring the front tines.

It is truly a marvelous vehicle!

The Service Mover is designed for functionality above all else.

It is a Mercenary workhorse.

Fuel tanks are slung beneath the front fenders.

The checkerboard striping is there to aid the Trainee Pilot in landing. Aligning the four AG Balls is tricky business.

The main engine bay is to the rear of the vehicle.

It keeps the machinery accessible even when a Falke is parked on top.

As said above, this particular Service Mover (SM3) is configured to transport the Falke Trainers.

The tread system is extremely robust to manage the heavy craft.

It is slow, and possesses a moderately intelligent AI.

Built tough, these vehicles can weather a lot of abuse.

They are usually undervalued and overused.

Sometimes they simply tow damaged ground-based equipment back to the tarmac.

Certain fuels are used.

Painted in a high visibility color, these non-combat pieces of equipment have a long life span.

Especially if they are maintained well, and in accordance with the manuals.

The AI lacks personality, but will remind the ground crew when maintenance is overdue.

The underside is simple, to avoid any entanglements with the terrain.

The headlights are powerful as well.

They can light up a large section of the airfield if necessary, and can swivel approximately 45º.

And of course, they are built by, wait... Alfa Romeo?

For the build diary, click here.