Dassault Mystere IVA (146)
NAHR category - Noteworthy
Aircraft History
The Mystere IVA made its first flight on 28th September 1952 and was designed as a single-seat fighter-bomber for the French Air Force (Armee de L'Air). The first prototype was powered by a Rolls-Royce Nene turbojet with the first fifty production aircraft powered by the Hispano-Suiza (under Rolls-Royce license) Tay 250A. All subsequent aircraft were equipped with the more powerful Verdon 350 which developed 7,710lbs static thrust, giving the aircraft a maximum speed of around 696mph (mach 0.91) at sea level.
The aircraft had an internal armament of two 30mm DEFA cannons and could carry 55 unguided SNEB air-to-air rockets in retractable pack in the forward fuselage. It had four underwing hardpoints capable of carrying up to 2,000lbs of bombs and rockets externally. It had a combat range of approximately 570 miles or 820 miles when fitted with two drop tanks.
The initial order for 225 aircraft was later increased to 255 for the French Air Force and foreign sales were made to Israel and India with sales of 60 and 110 respectively. French Mystere IVA's saw action during the Suez campaign and in Algeria, Israeli aircraft were in action from 1950's to 1970's. Also Indian aircraft were used in the Indo-Pakistan conflict. Production terminated in 1958.
146 History
NEAMs aircraft made its first flight from Dassault's factory on 17th February 1956 and was delivered to EC.2/2 during March coded 2-FR. During November 1957 it was returned to Dassault for modification work and returned to service in April 1958 with EC.1/12 at Cambrai with code 12-YL. In May 1962 she was transferred to EC.1/7 at Sidi-Ahmed in Algeria with code 7-AJ and served until March 1963 before being sent back to France for engine work. After her engine mods she returned to EC.1/7 this time coded 7-AC. In August 1966 she was transferred to EC.2/8 at Oran la Senia, Algeria and coded 8-NC. Between September-November 1967 she underwent airframe and weapons systems modifications and between November 1968 - May 1969 had an engine upgrade each time returning to back to EC.2/8 (now based at Cazaux, France). In January 1976 she was assigned to EAA.601 for repairs following an accident while on the ground. Following repair, in March 1977 146 served with EC.1/8 at Cazaux with code 8-MC, the aircrafts last unit assignment. In April 1978 the aircraft was stored under the care of EAA.601. During May 1978 146 was withdraw from use and flown to RAF Sulthorpe. Total number of hours flown was recorded as 4,255 hours. In 1981 the aircraft was assigned to NEAM by the US government (who had originally funded the production Mystere for the French Air Force). It arrived at the museum by road on 1st May 1982
Mystere IVA No.146 as she is today following her restoration
Early shot of Mystere IVA No.146 outside braving the North East weather. Credit : Malcolm Clarke