1. Mirage IIIC n°10 from EC 1/5 “Vendée” in 1966. 2. Mirage IIIC n°22 from EC 3/10 “Vexin”. This unit was based in Djibouti and was the last French AF unit to operate the Mirage IIIC. 3. Mirage IIIC n°49 from EC 3/2 “Alsace”.
Category: Postwar Era
Dassault Mirage 2000 (revisited)
The Dassault Mirage 2000 is the ultimate evolution of the delta-winged Mirage family and proved to be a highly successful aircraft. Attack, trainer and nuclear bomber variants have been delivered to the French air force, where it is gradually replaced by the Dassault Rafale. It has been widely exported to numerous countries such as India,…Continue reading Dassault Mirage 2000 (revisited)
Embraer EMB 312 Tucano
The Tucano is a very successful trainer/light attack aircraft designed by Embraer. It has been widely exported and is notably used by Brazil, France and Great-Britain. 1. The first Tucano received by the French were painted in a lively red and white scheme. This aircraft was operated by the EPNAA 05.312 (Flight and Navigation…Continue reading Embraer EMB 312 Tucano
Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird
One of the most amazing designs in aviation history, the Blackbird was a great achievement of the Skunk Works, headed by Clarence “Kelly” Johnson. 1. 61-7955 was based at Edwards AFB, Ca., and used as a flight test aircraft by Lockheed and the Air Force, to test new systems and configurations for the rest of…Continue reading Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird
Sukhoi Su-47 Berkut
The Berkut is a technology demontrator with an inverted swept-wing. Consequently, I was asked to create a top view of the aircraft. I’d never done one but the result is better than I feared it would be.
Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star
I drew a new and substantially improved template for the P-80 Shooting Star. At the bottom of the page, you’ll find the original version for comparison. 1. This was the first XP-80A prototype, nicknamed “Grey Ghost” because of its pearl-grey livery. 2. This aircraft was initially built as a P-80B-1-LO, and later converted to F-80C…Continue reading Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star
Nord N.2501 Noratlas
The N.2501 Noratlas was a successful French cargo aircraft of the 1950s, which was used by several military and civilian operators. 1. 63-WA was Noratlas #169 and served with the 63rd Escadre de Transport. It was flown by the Escadron de Transport 2/63 “Vercors” and the Centre d’Instruction des Equipages de Transport 430, both based…Continue reading Nord N.2501 Noratlas
Fouga CM.170 Magister
1. “Athos 1” is the callsign of the leader Patrouille de France. In 1978, Cdt Amberg was Athos 1 and flew this Magister. I don’t know which serial his aircraft bore, so I chose 456 VL, which did fly with the PAF. Note that the aircraft has had the instructor’s periscope removed. Also of note,…Continue reading Fouga CM.170 Magister
Vought F-8 Crusader
I drew the F-8 Crusader because I wanted to depict the F-8E(FN) French Navy version. USN, USMC and PhAF versions were also created once I was done with the French birds. 1. F-8E(FN) of Flottille 14.F based at Landivisiau, 1973. The aircraft is painted in the original Light Gull Grey over Insignia White USN scheme.…Continue reading Vought F-8 Crusader
Dassault Mirage IV
The Dassault Mirage IV nuclear bomber was the result of General de Gaulle’s decision to give France atomic weapons in the late 1950s. The Mirage IV was basically a scaled-up Mirage III which was too penetrate Soviet defenses at high speed and high altitude. It was later modified to pentrate at low-altitude, as SAM defenses…Continue reading Dassault Mirage IV