The
IAF was first introduced to the Mach 2 fighter club in April of 1962 with the
introduction of the Mirage IIIC. Until the introduction of the
medium-high altitude SAM-3 into the middle east theater of operations after
the 1967 war, the Mirage IIIC retained its highly polished aluminum finish. So
high was the importance placed on the polish of these fighters, that their
junior mechanics were unable to leave base for the weekend until their
assigned Mirage was sparkling.
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First
Fighter squadron Mirage IIIc no.59 which was the first Mirage in the
world to score an air to air kill – a Syrian MiG-21F-13. |
With
introduction of the SAM-3, new low altitude flight profiles were introduced to
the Mirage IIIc. The camouflage adopted was the same used on attack planes
after the IDF captured the Sinai desert; making use of f.s.34227 green,
f.s.30219 brown and f.s.33531 sand over f.s.35622 light blue colors.
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Bat
squadron Mirage IIIc no.766. |
1967
War losses were to be made up with the purchase of 50 improved range Mirage
V aircraft. These airplanes were awaiting delivery when on June 5, 1967 the
IAF launched operation "Moked" that destroyed the Egyptian air force
within 3 hours. The embargo place on Mirage V delivery did not include spare
parts, so Mirage V assembly rigs, fuselage sub components quietly made their
way from
France
to
Israel
. As for the engine, the improve Atar 9c being produced under license in
Swissland. Gentle persuasion of the Mosad of an engineer at the plant led to
the delivery of production drawings of this engine. Soon after, the entire
Mirage V was being manufactured at Israel Aircraft Industries. The new Israeli
built fighter was given the name Nesher which in Hebrew translates to Eagle.
That's why IAF F-15 were named after the "Baz" falcon and not Eagle.
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First
Fighter squadron Nesher no.18. On the 9th day of the 1973 Yom
Kippur war, Libyan air force Mirage V aircraft began ground attack
operations against IDF forces making their way across to the Egyptian
side of the
Suez Canal
. To differentiate between IAF delta fighters and the Libyan Mirages,
IAF applied yellow and black identification triangles on the vertical
fin and wings of all of its fighters. Several days later, Hornet
squadron pilot flying First Figher squadron Nesher no.18 downed a Libyan
Mirage V. |
At
the same time Israel Aircraft Industries were building the Mirage V, efforts
were made to fit the F-4E Phantom's J79 engine into the Mirage airframe. These
efforts culminated in development of the Kfir fighter. First introduce in
1976, the Kfir soon exhibited poor low speed maneuverability characteristics.
These characteristics were improved with the introduction of intake mounted winglets. These fighters were
transferred to the US Navy in the mid-80's and were given the US
fighter designation of F-21A.
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These
photos show the Mid Land squadron that was the last squadron to operate
this version of the Kfir in the IAF prior to their transfer to VF-41 US
Navy aggressor squadron. |
New
built Kfir airframes had additional intake rib reinforcements which enabled
fitting of longer winglets called canards. In addition to the canards, the
aircraft was fitted with outboard wing leading edge extensions and Rafel
development agency Python III IR guided air to air missiles. These air to air
optimized Kfirs were given the model designation C2. Serving alongside the
F-15 Baz, these Kfirs were painted in Compass Ghost Gray colors of f.s.36375
and f.s.36320.
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First
Fighter squadron Kfir C2 no.874 that was the only Kfir to down an
aircraft in IAF service. |
As
Atar 9 equipped Mirage operations were winding down and the airplanes sold to
Argentina
in the early 1980's a two seat Mirage/Nesher trainer replacement was needed.
To meet this requirement, IAI developed the Kfir TC-2. The airplane retained
full capabilities of the Kfir C2 without compromising internal fuel capability
by moving all the avionics and air conditioning equipment fwd to the
exceptionally long nose section.
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Parrot
squadron Kfir TC2. |
As
F-16A/B Netz squadrons proved their low end air to air supremacy during the
first three day of the June 1982
Lebanon
war by downing over 50 Syrian fighters, the Kfir C2's air to air roll came to
an end. To improve the Kfir's air to ground attack capabilities, it was fitted
with a Pave Penny pod which gave it Laser Guided Bombing capability. For this
new ground attack roll, it was painted in the same camouflage colors as
applied to IAF F-16's consisting of f.s.33531 sand, f.s.34424 green, f.s.30219
brown with an f.s.36375 light ghost gray undersurface. IAF delta wing fighter
operations came to an end in 1994 with the delivery of USAF surplus block 15
F-16A's which replaced the Kfir C7.
Yoav
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Keepers
of the Arava squadron Kfir C7 no.543 which has the name "Zohar"
(Glow) applied to both sides of the nose. |
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