Mirage takes a dip!

The following appeared in International air power review Volume 9 page 42, a great publication! Go out and buy it, I did! It has a huge article on the Mirage 2000 up to and including dash 9.

Mirage takes a dip.
In 1997, the Hellenic Air force contacted Dassault to recover Mirage 2000EG 210, which had crashed at low speed during a final approach. The aircraft was lying in 5 m (16 ft) of sea water, and it was felt that a rebuild could be attempted provided that corrosion had not set in. After three days in the sea, the Mirage was successfully brought to the surface and immediately washed with fresh water and Ardrox 6345 while still lying on the rescue barge. The airframe was taken to terra firma, where it was dismantled, and the largest components – fuselage and wings – were subsequently immersed in a purpose-built pool filled with water and Ardrox 6345, before being dried and covered with Ardrox 396-1E28. All these components were then stored while the experts assessed the feasibility of a rebuild.

Eventually, the wings and fuselage were sent to France for a major rebuilding effort, and it is anticipated that the fighter will be brought back into service in mid-2003. A successful first flight was carried out by Dassault test pilot Eric Gerard at Tanagra in March 2003 (left).

Below are some pictures from the article:

Cheers,
Alepou 340MB