Here’s is a very interesting picture of what appears to be a Vautour IIN of the French Air Force. I’m assuming that the nose cone is that of either the Mirage F-1 or the Mirage 2000 as the aircraft has what appears to be a Matra-BAe Dynamics Super 530 BVR air-to-air missile under the wing. I’m assuming this particular Vautour was used in testing the radar/missile combination. Anyone else have anything to add on this?
By: Arthur - 3rd January 2003 at 18:59
RE: Interesting Vautour Pic
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 03-01-03 AT 07:03 PM (GMT)]I don’t think the Mirage III-version of the Cyrano was tested on Vautours, i think those great birds only entered test programs in the early 1970s when it was the Mirage F1’s radar which had to be tested.
348 was only one of the Vautour airframes used for such trials. Other ones which did radar trials i know of are 337, 348 (of course, it flew in the airshow circuit after CEV retirement from 1991 to 1996 and is definately the best vintage aircraft i’ve ever seen), 355, and possibly 347. All four were of the IIN variant. The CEV used more Vautours, as they were very large and easily adaptable airframes for test work. Prototype 002, 301, 302, 303, 304, 351 and 363 also were used by CEV, mostly from Brétigny (south from Paris, now closed) and Istres (west from Marseille). I could find of one Vautour IIB used by the CEV at Cazaux (this one is not too far from Bordeaux, the French like to have their test bases near major cities) for testing of guided bombs, this one was 640. Apart from the early serials (so up to 304), all were former AdlA aircraft. Phantom, you might be interested to know that the French actually did consider (albeit for a short time) getting F-4s to replace the Vautour 😀
This one appears to be 348 in it’s current condition… i’m not completely sure though.
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/pegase-meeting/museum/grandes/dijon15.jpg
Most interesting Vautour is probably 302 which undertook nuclear trials, flying through mushroom clouds above the Pacific and sniffing radiation. For some strange reason, the aircraft never was returned to France and it should still be stored at Hao in the Tuamatou islands.
In addition to Skythe’s link to the excellent Vautour pages, i recommend http://pdennez.free.fr/AVIONS/html/av425.html from the Des Hommes et des Ailes-pages. It’s in French but i’m sure you can filter some interesting info from that page.
By: PhantomII - 3rd January 2003 at 17:15
RE: Interesting Vautour Pic
Was this the same Vautour that was used to test the Cyrano on the Mirage III?
I know there was a Vautour that tested this radar and the related R.530 AAM, but I don’t know the serial of that one.
By: Arthur - 3rd January 2003 at 11:22
RE: Interesting Vautour Pic
That’s the same Vautour as the one in the airshow circuit- 348, and if my memory serves me right it’s civil reg was F-AZHP. It was one of two ex-AdlA Vautours which flew with CEV (Centre d’Essais en Vol, Tests in Flight Center. It’s not part of the Air Force, it’s compares better with NASA or LII or other state trials organisations) Brétigny-sur-Orges in RDI/RDM radar trials and other system tests for the M2K program.
By: Steve Bond - 3rd January 2003 at 10:31
RE: Interesting Vautour Pic
I can’t add anything much about the trials the French Vautour was used in, except that it was based at CEV, but I’m I not right in thinking that this is the same Vautour that used to be on the French airshow circuit until very recently?
By: skythe - 2nd January 2003 at 23:09
RE: Interesting Vautour Pic
Regarding the Vautour kill, there’s no need to look beyond this very forum. We mentioned it during our last Vautour discussion, about a year ago :
http://www.keymags.co.uk/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=read_count&om=3…
PII, check out http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Launchpad/1467/france.htm , you’ll find an answer to your original question, what that French Vautour is all about. Zvi’s site is certainly a gem, he’s even been in contact with numerous members of the IDF/AF, including very high ranking ones, in the process of setting it up.
—————————————-
” So you think you are strong because you can survive the soft cushions. Well, we shall see. Biggles! Put her in the Comfy Chair! “
By: GZYL - 2nd January 2003 at 22:02
RE: Interesting Vautour Pic
Phantom, have you got any details of this victory over a hunter, Was the hunter bounced, or was it at night, because I can’t see the Vautour “mixing it”.
By: PhantomII - 2nd January 2003 at 16:29
RE: Interesting Vautour Pic
Thanks for reminding me of that site Skythe! I remember finding it one time and I spent hours there. It’s truly one of the best, most comprehensive sites I’ve ever seen. I’m glad a lesser-known warplane like the Vautour has a page like that dedicated to it.
I love to read accounts of the Vautour in action with the IAF. The mission in which a Hunter was shot down by a Vautour is of special interest to me.
By: skythe - 2nd January 2003 at 09:44
RE: Interesting Vautour Pic
Can’t say much about this specific aircraft, but it does remind me of “Phantomas”, IDF/AF no. 70, now residing in the Hatzerim museum. The aircraft, the first N model Vautour, had a Mirage III nose cone and was initially used to develop the Cyrano radar, before being sold to Israel where it became an EW and reconnissance aircraft.
This is also an opportunity to remind everyone of Zvi Kreisler’s excellent Vautour page at http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Launchpad/1467/
—————————————-
” So you think you are strong because you can survive the soft cushions. Well, we shall see. Biggles! Put her in the Comfy Chair! “
Attachments:
Sign In
January 2, 2003 at 5:29 am
