IAF 56 anniversary article 

 Delta winged fighters

Article, models and photos by Yoav Efrati

  Israeli Independence Day 2004 

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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.

Photos and text © by Yoav Efrati