New images added Hobby Master HA9854 Mirage IIIE 4-BB, Squadron EC 1/4, French AF, 1967
The Armee de l’Air’s Escadron de Chasse 1/4 “Dauphine” began converting from the Republic F-84F Thunderstreak to the Dassault Mirage IIIE in late 1966, becoming fully operational with the new fighter during 1967 at BA 116 Luxeuil-Saint-Sauveur. Initially tasked with air defense and interception missions, the squadron quickly integrated the Mirage IIIE’s advanced navigation and attack capabilities while maintaining NATO quick reaction alert duties. By the end of 1967, the wing had received its full complement of aircraft, including examples finished in the new green-and-gray camouflage replacing the earlier natural metal finish. The Mirage IIIE would remain the squadron’s primary aircraft for more than two decades before being replaced by the Mirage 2000N in 1988.
Dassault Mirage IIIE
Designed to meet a French government specification for a lightweight, all-weather interceptor, the Dassault Mirage III was first flown on November 17, 1956. This supersonic aircraft has a tailless delta wing configuration and is capable of high speeds (a Mirage IIIA was the first European aircraft to exceed Mach 2 in level flight). It has a provision for a SEPR liquid-fuel rocket engine, which provides additional burst thrust. In production for over a decade, the Mirage III is considered one of Europe’s most successful military aircraft designs, serving 20 different nations, some of whom still fly it today.
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