Hello gents
For years in vain I have been looking for photographs and technical drawings of the one off Dassault Mirage IIIA Avon turbojet-powered prototype.
Background -the RAAF, having selected the Mirage III, the French set about incorporating a Rolls Royce RB146 Avon 67 turbojet into the fighter, as the RAAF had already incorporated the the engine into service powering both the CA-26/27 and CA-30 Sabre and the Canberra, this option was pursued for the Mirage. A French Mirage IIIA, known as ‘City of Hobart’, was modified and flew on 13 February 1961. This was known as a Mirage IIIO, but did not receive a RAAF serial number as, although this modification delivered superior performance, its cost was prohibitive and this project was discontinued.
Surely there must be photographs out there of this prototype!!!
Thanks in advance
Regards
Pioneer
By: halloweene - 7th May 2017 at 12:44
III A had a way smaller and pointy nose. and a straight fin.
Robert Menzies (PM) stated ” it is the first time my country’s Air Force is buying a palne that did not cost a pound more, is not late, and delivers expected performances”.
By: halloweene - 7th May 2017 at 12:21
G`day gents
I just sent off an email to Dassault requesting archival information and pictures of the Avon-powered Mirage III!
For historical stuff, try this man at PR : [email]luc.berger@dassault-aviation.com[/email] However, i know Dassault archives, good luck to you (no specific archivist…).
Edit : you did, sry. 1very nice guy, isn’t he?
If you are interested, he is co-author of a series of two remarkable books : Claude Carlier & Luc Berger ; Dassault 1945-1995 50 and d’aventures aéronautiques. editions du Chêne. They speak about Australia pp 82-83.
Both versions were compared in 1961. In order to reach Atar thrust at Mach 2, RR had to modify the Avon (exhaust) and lost its advantage in fuel consumption. Trial results showed the Atar powered version to be better.
By: Pioneer - 7th May 2017 at 12:15
Just found this interesting snippet piece of information, which I think IMO would support the notion that the Avon-powered Mirage III for the RAAF would have been superior –
“However, when Australian operations required the addition of two supersonic external fuel tanks and two Sidewinder missiles, plus the Matra, a lack of available power was apparent. As a result, the RAAF Mirage 111O was underpowered in the configuration required for our conditions. This would have been a definite handicap if offensive air interceptions had been required.”
(Source: http://www.raafa.org.au/mirage)
Regards
Pioneer
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October 27, 2010 at 11:22 am