DASSAULT Mirage III

The French multi-role delta jet that's still in service nearly seven decades after its first flight

- STUART HADAWAY

ON THE NOSE

The Mirage IIIR had an extended and oddly angular nose, containing cameras for high- and low-level photographic reconnaissance. Variants of this type were used by several countries.

MOUSE IN THE HOLE

A semi-conical 'mouse' in the mouth of each intake enabled the airflow to be adjusted according to speed.

ANTENNA IN THE TAIL

A range of HF, UHF and VHF aerials and radar (including radar-warning receiver) antenna could be fitted in the tip of the tail to suit the operator's needs.

ROCKET ASSIST

The French fitted rocket packs to the rear fuselage, enabling interceptors to 'sprint' from Mach 2 to Mach 2.2 for short periods. The Swiss used a similar system for assisting take-offs from short runways.

The Dassault Mirage III was the culmination of a series of delta-winged types designed to meet the French need for an all-weather supersonic interceptor. The Mirage III first flew in 1956, and the IIIC entered service with the French Air Force in 1961. A few years later, the IIIE entered service with additional avionics and a ground-attack capability. Capable of Mach 2.2 (with rocket assist), the type has proven an excellent and abiding design, used by a dozen countries (often as the 'Mirage 5'). One of the Mirage's most appealing attributes is that the type is easily modified to meet the needs (and budget) of the purchasing air force, and nearly 30 variants (including prototypes and two-seat trainers) have been built, plus Israel's home-built developments.