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Reply To: Draken vs Mirage 3. The sexiest of the 2nd gen fighters

Home Forums Modern Military Aviation Draken vs Mirage 3. The sexiest of the 2nd gen fighters Reply To: Draken vs Mirage 3. The sexiest of the 2nd gen fighters

#2093579
torpedo
Participant

To come back to the original question, I think that one of the main differences between the Mirage III and the Draken was not to be found in the on-paper specs but in the pilot experience.
According to the report from a Draken pilot, the Draken had so many flight restrictions that it is said that “you don’t fly the Draken, the Draken flies you”. It meant that the pilot had to concentrate heavily on the flying controls to not overcome one of the Draken many altitude/speed/angle/G limitations.
OTH the Mirage III was described by one of the Israeli aces that flew it in combat as a “fighter plane”. You fly it without restrictions (except when landing) and you are able to concentrate on the fight, the plane behaves sanely and does what asked whenever asked.