The Mirage F.1 was developed as an interceptor to replace the aging fleet of Mirage IIIE fighters. The airframe was quite successful in that role and produced a lot of overseas sales. Some of these customers wanted to have ground attack and other capabilities built into the aircraft. As a result, the French Air Force took advantage of the work being done to also request similar capabilities in new build airframes.

The result is the Mirage F.1CT that is designed for tactical attack. In addition, there was a need to replace the equally old Mirage IIIR reconnaissance aircraft and from this requirement grew the Mirage F.1CT. So in a nutshell, the French now had a capable replacement for both the Mirage IIIE/R types and also the Mirage 5F, a ground attack aircraft based on the Mirage III airframe.

Written entirely in French, this book continues where volume 1 left off and relates both the development and unit deployment of these two types. There is also a large section on foreign operators of the Mirage F.1 in all varieties. The language barrier really is not a problem as this book is basically eye candy, full of superb color photographs and a large section of color profiles. It covers the various areas of conflict in which the aircraft have been used and there is also a gallery of the special paint schemes it has used.

Overall, a superb book on an aircraft that is both capable and aesthetically pleasing at the same time. A book I know you will enjoy as much as did I and an excellent reference for the modeler.

April 2008

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

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