Dassault Mystere IV.A No. 83 NAHR – Noteworthy
Dassault Mystere IV.A No.83 arrived in 1978 and remains the only 1950’s French-built fighter-bomber preserved on display at the museum’s Gateway Aviation Site. By Jan McGeachie
Built in the 1950s as a single seat Interceptor Fighter, the Mystere has a wingspan of 36 feet 6 inches; length 42 feet 2 inches and a maximum speed of 695mph. The type had a range of 570 miles rising and could climb to a height of 45,000 feet.
Originally powered by a Rolls-Royce Nene turbojet the prototype Mystere IV flew for the first time in September 1952, piloted by Kostia Rozanoff at Melun-Villaroche. Its design included aerodynamic improvements derived from the Mystere II. On a later flight in January, 1953, it broke the sound barrier in a dive. This Mach 1 capability is believed to be thanks to the design of a new biconvex profile wing and a narrower fuselage. The fuselage was circular in both the fore and aft sections, but with a curiously shaped pear like central body.
The first production-standard Mystere IV.A flew at Mérignac, on 29th May 1954 piloted by Paul Boudier and officially handed over to the American authorities on 18th June 1954. The engine type was changed to the Hispano Suiza Verdon turbojet before the initial production run of 225 aircraft for the French Air Force. This was funded as part of the Military Aid and Development Plan of the 1950s, that was funded by the American Government.
The first Mystere IV.A joined the 12th Cambrai Wing on May 25th , 1955. It was at the Cambrai base where the first aerobatics team was trained and on 14th July 1955, twelve flew in formation over the Champs Elysées for the Bastille Day parade.
In all, 411 aircraft were manufactured by Dassault and delivered, with 100 aircraft supplied to India and 60 to Israel. France had the majority from 1954 to 1958, operating in six squadrons. The type was used operationally in the 1956 Anglo – French intervention in Suez. The last of the French Mystere IV.As was delivered to the Air Force on 27th November, 1958. It finished its working life at the 8th Cazaux Fighter Wing, where it was used for fighter pilot training.
Mystere IV.A No.83 served with 8 Escadre and it is uncertain whether it saw active service at Suez. When the type was retired from service with the French Air Force they placed in storage for a number of years. No.83 was one of a number of Mysteres, which were flown to RAF Sculthorpe by members of 7519 Combat Support Squadron, the French Air Force, in April 1978.
The airframe was later allocated on permanent loan to the museum by the American Government, via the US Air Force Museum. This followed Newark Air Museum’s long campaign with HM Government, through both Houses of Parliament over potential VAT charges on gifted aircraft from the USAF.
Museum members dismantled the aircraft during September 1978 before the aircraft components arrived by road later the same month.
Photo credit: Jan McGeachie