In the first of two parts, Rod Simpson details Dassault’s diversification from fast jet fabricator to the founding of the Falcon family
By the mid-1960s, Dassault Aviation had established itself as not only a major name but a force to be reckoned with when it came to fast jet production. The Bordeaux-based manufacturer had began with the Ouragan – which boasted a top speed of Mach 0.75 – in the late 1940s, before moving on to the Mystère and the extremely successful Mirage family and the Etendard naval fighter.
