History
The design of the Dassault Mirage F1 is the result of a request made in 1963 by the French Air Force to get a new fighter aircraft. It should performe interceptor as well as low-level penetration missions. It should be able to use shorter runways than the Mirage III. The specifications also require a greater range than the Mirage III.
To reach these requirements, the Mirage F1 was designed with swept wings in high position. It is a single-seater, single-engine. The first flight took place in December 23rd 1966 and the F1 overtook Mach 1 during the first flights. Its maximum speed is higher than Mach 2. The first version enters into service in the 30th Fighter Wing.
From initial Mirage F1C several version were developped :
– F1 C200 were equipped with a refuelling probe.
– F1 CR was a reconnaissance version, equipped with various cameras and sensors and a new navigation system.
– F1 CT were previous F1-C200 modified to be capable of ground attack and low penetration missions.
When Mirage IIIE and 5F became obsolete and should be replaced, the French air force requested the modification of the 55 remaining F1-C200 to this purpose and were re-designated F1 CT. They were equipped with new electronic systems, a laser telemetry system, a radar alert and two cameras instead of one of the two cannons. Another ejection seat has been installed to fit with its new mission profile.
Its armament was compose of a 30mm cannon and 5 hardpoints for external loads: Air-to-air missiles Magic II, rockets pods or unguided bombs. The F1 CT were in service from 1992 to 2012.
The last Mirage F1 in service in France were CR version, which were retired in 2014, replaced by Mirage 2000D and Rafale.
The French air force has operated 246 Mirage F1 in F1 C, F1-C200, F1-B, F1-CR and F1-CT versions. 470 Mirage F1 were exported to 11 countries in Europe, Africa, South America and Middle East.
In 2017, a private compagny in the USA bought 60 aircraft in France in order to fly them again. They are used as agressors during trainings of USAF pilots.
Our aircraft
This is a F1 CT version which was therefore one of the 55 aircraft converted from the F1-C200 interception version. Registered 30-QY, it bears No. 261 and served in the prestigious ‘Normandie-Niemen’ squadron. This unit, attached to 30th Fighter Wing, has operated on F1 CT from 1993 to 2008, notably at the Mont-de-Marsan air base. Retired from service, it was stored on Châteaudun air base.
A team of Ailes Anciennes Toulouse went to disassemble it in 2018 after it was assigned to our association. It is now on display on our site.
Caracteristics
| Wingspan | 8,40 m |
| Length | 15,3 m |
| Height | 5,30 m |
| Empty weight | 8,1 t |
| Maximum take off weight | 15,2 t |
| Speed | Mach 2,2 |
| Range | 900 km |
| Crew | 1 |
| Engine | 1 engine SNECMA ATAR 9K-50 of 7,2 t of thrust with after burner |
| Serial number | 261 |
Some pictures
The video of the salvation
