French Vampire and Mistral - Volume 2

Although the Vampire was designed and used as a fighter by the Armée de l'Air, this role was not to remain its exclusive domain for long. The arrival of American aircraft under the MDAP framework, and the progressive development of Marcel Dassault's fighters, overshadowed it — not least because they were more modern and simply better.

A use had nonetheless to be found for it: it was within the Fighter School at Meknès that the Vampires served to transition young pilots to jet propulsion. The Mistral, however, ordered to the tune of 247 aircraft, was not deployed in pure fighter operations despite its improved performance. It was its capacity to carry bombs and rockets that wrote its place in history: operations in Algeria highlighted its offensive potential across all the fighter wings in North Africa.

Volume 1 covered the technical, industrial and operational history of both types, then followed their day-to-day use by the metropolitan wings and in Germany. This second volume continues the account of their service, but this time within the AFN wings, in the context of the Algerian conflict.

Space is also given to the reserve wing at Creil, before returning in detail to service in the Armée de l'Air and Navy schools. Furthermore, the use of the Vampire and Mistral by the CEV and finally in the Sahara is brought to light.

The work is rounded out by a lengthy chapter devoted to the Vampires imported into France as collection aircraft. And, for the satisfaction of enthusiasts, a chapter takes stock of markings and insignia, as well as all the scale models produced over the years to represent France's first combat jet.

Approximately 1,000 photographs, 32 profiles, all on 400 pages. Colour profiles by Patrice Gaubert — Drawings by Claude Petit — 1/72nd scale plans by Régis Biaux.