Mirage III series single-seaters were significant members of the world-famous line of delta-winged warplanes produced in France by Dassault. Malcolm V Lowe tells their story
The celebrated French aviation company Avions Marcel Dassault is one of the most prolific producers of jet-powered combat aircraft. Created following World War Two as a successor to the prewar Avions Marcel Bloch, Dassault owed its existence to French aviation pioneer Marcel Bloch, whose surname change following the war to Dassault coincided with the establishment of one of the world’s most famous aircraft designers and manufacturers.
Carrying a large AS 37 Martel anti-radar missile beneath its fuselage, a Phimat chaff dispenser on its outer starboard wing pylon, and a Barax ECM pod far to port, this Mirage IIIE No 624/3-JG was operated by EC 2/3 ‘Champagne’
DASSAULT AVIATION
Dassault’s company was eager to embrace the new technology of high-performance jet-powered combat aircraft, which created and produced the famous line of Mirage warplanes for French and export service – including the Mirage III family.
