Though not as famous as the delta-winged Mirage III, the Mirage F.1 is still in service with a number of units in France and in the world. Vol 1 is dedicated to the development of the aircraft and its versions while vol.2 covers its operational and combat service.
Although the Mirage F.1 lost out to the F-16 in the 'contract of the century' in 1975, it went on nevertheless to serve widely in the Armée de l’Air and was exported to several countries. This first volume of a two-part history of Dassault's Mirage F1 describes in detail the history and the origins of the swept-wing successor to the famous Mirage III. Co-author Michel Liebert worked on the flight control side of the programme during the late 1960s at Villaroche. The first prototype, which was developed by Dassault using their own funds, made its maiden flight on 23 December 1966 but the developmental process of an aircraft initially conceived for the delivery of tactical nuclear weapons was a long and complex one. Volume one retraces the saga of the prototypes and projects through to the mid-1970s. The authors cover all aspects of the programme - from paper through to hardware via design, construction and training. Opening with a discussion of Dassault the company, the authors explore the Mirage F.2 and F.3 before the considering the rationale behind the F1. Separate chapters look at the Franco-British GVFB while a lengthy chapter discusses the American interest in the swing-wing Mirage 'G' as a possible replacement for the F-111. The book is interspersed with test pilot recollections and period colour photos including a contribution from project leader Jean-Marie Saget. The F1 02 had achieved Mach 2 on only its second flight and Dassault had a winner on their hands.
Below; the variable geometry Mirage 'G' - here with wings swept back - is presented to the press in May 1967
This text was written by myself for the Lela Presse web site
http://www.avions-bateaux.com/
