Another superb book on the French Air Force is this one on the Mirage IV bomber. France was one of a very few countries who built large intercontinental bombers. Mostly a large aircraft was needed to carry the nuclear bombs of the era and the Mirage IV was France's answer to the British V bombers, America's B-52s and Russia's fleet of various long range bomber aircraft.

As one would probably expect from Dassault, it was a delta wing aircraft, first prototype flying in 1960. Eventually the aircraft would be enlarged and modified from the prototype and equip several units. As the need for a nuclear strike aircraft became less and less, the type was fitted with a sensor and camera pod for the strategic reconnaissance mission.

This superlative book covers the full development, production and deployment of the Mirage IV from its inception until retirement from service in 2005. Full of quality photographs, a large percentage in color, and superb profiles, this is the finest book on the type yet published. Though in French, that does not detract from its usefulness, especially as much of the English language is based on French, so gleaning information from it is not as difficult as one might think.

A great book and one that deserves to be in your library.

January 2008

Review book courtesy of  Casemate Publishing, where you can order your copy of this and many other superb books and DVDs.

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