Dassault Mirage 5 BA
The Mirage 5 was a subsequent version of the Mirage III fighter aircraft, featuring characteristic delta wing, designed in France during the 1950s. The Mirage 5, destined to attack ground targets was developed in the second half of 1960s for Israeli order. It based completely on the Mirage V design, but featured simplified targeting system (without the radar). Thanks to it the aircraft was less sophisticated, cheaper in operation and maintenance, but retained significant combat capabilities. The resignation from the majority of equipment allowed to increase the capacity of the fuel tanks and hence the range. The prototype first flew in May 1967, but the Israeli plans were crossed by the embargo imposed by the French government after so – called Six Day War in 1967. The first aircraft built originally for Israel in 1970 were taken over by the French Air Force. The aircraft were produced for the French Air Force and for export in the fighter – bomber, reconnaissance and two seat trainer versions. The first letter indicated the customer country. Most of 400 aircraft built were exported to various countries. Many of those aircraft were later upgraded and retrofitted with new targeting and navigation systems and aerodynamics improvements.
Displayed aircraft served with the Belgian Air Force. It is a Mirage 5BA, one of 63 operated by Belgium. Apart from them Belgium had also 27 aircraft of the reconnaissance BR version and 16 BD trainers. Belgium and Lybia were two largest operators of the Mirage 5. The aircraft was built in 1970 at the SABCA plant at Gosselies and served with the Belgian Air Force till 1991. From 1991 to 2006 it was used as an instructional airframe at the Technical School of the Air Force at Saffraanberg and then as a gate guardian at the Temploux Air Base. In May 2008 it was sent to the Polish Aviation Museum, exchanged for a Mi-2 helicopter.
The Mirage III/5 was one of the milestones in the development of aviation technology. In a perfect way they combined modern aerodynamics with superb performance and flying characteristics. They were formidable in air combat. They became an export hit of the French aviation industry.
|
|
Wingspan: | 8,22 m (27 ft) |
Length: | 15,55 m (51 ft) |
Wing area: | 34.85 sq.m (375 sq. ft) |
Empty weight: | 6 600 kg (14,550 lb) |
Take-off weight: | 13 700 kg (28,660 lb) |
Maximum speed: | 1912 km/h (1,032 kt) |
Service ceiling: | 17 000 m (58,000 ft) |
Range: | 2400 km (1,300 NM) |
Armament: two 30 mm DEFA 552 cannons and up to 4,000 kg (8,818 lb) of ordnance (bombs and rocket missiles) on 5 underwing and ventral pylons, or additional fuel tanks. |
Powerplant: SNECMA Atar 9C turbojet engine rated at 58,9 kN with afterburner |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|