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Sud Aviation Vautour
Anyone know anything about this beast? I came across a mention of it in an article and Googled it but although it seems to have been quite a useful and important aircraft (especially to the French & Israeli's) it seems to have sunk without trace (the Ford Sierra of attack aircraft?)
Can anyone shed some light on it? |
There is a (rather expensive) book by Shlomo Aloni called Vultures Over Israel, which covers the type pretty well and is worth getting on inter-library loan - and that, of course, allows you to see if you judge it worth the £30-50 it goes for (the latter for a new copy). I suspect that the limited number of operators (just France and Israel) has contributed to the relative lack of material on it, at least in the English language. Combat operations by Israeli Vautours didn’t get as much coverage as those by the IDF/AF’s Mirage IIIs (for example), and at the time of use, Israeli concerns for OPSEC meant that there was less information out there than we can obtain these days. |
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The Armee de l'Air had some at Istres when I was there 1957-8.
We weren't allowed to get close to them. |
IAF Vantour
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A detachment of French Air Force Vautours went to the then Salisbury, Rhodesia in April 1960. I know because I had just signed on for the Royal Air force and I saw them at New Sarum. Walking past the quarters I saw a coloured member sitting in his room. The reception was only for whites. .
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"coloured member"? That is some serious self-abuse there.
That's the only meaning I can take from that remark. |
Remained in service in France until late seventies. I think I remember seeing one or two in flight while holidaying there with parents - possibly off Sete in either 76 or 77.
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Originally Posted by ian16th
(Post 10244180)
The Armee de l'Air had some at Istres when I was there 1957-8.
We weren't allowed to get close to them. |
I remember seeing one as a kid at Entebbe, Uganda, in the very early 60s. I am surprised it didn't do better in foreign sales as it seems to me to be a pretty good Canberra replacement.
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https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gmf...24fac9e1dd.jpg
This is one from the London to Paris air race. |
France's only nuclear capable bomber until the Mirage IV and could be mistaken for the Yakovlev 28 of the same era.
I believe production was funded by the US D of D and when they were withdrawn, some were flown to Sculthorpe for 'disposal' (or was that the Mystere IV of the same era?) |
Two of my photos taken at AB Chateaudun Museum, France. July 2017 Unfortunately well worn being outside in the weather.https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gmf...c9a5a8f409.jpg
AB Chateaudun Musee July 2017 https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gmf...3ff90ba867.jpg AB Chateaudun Musee July 2017 |
Not much ability to rotate on takeoff, or flare for the landing? Hence the big skid at the tail.
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I think I read the "skid" was actually an aerodynamic mod when they stretched the front end for the two man version?
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Originally Posted by chevvron
(Post 10244459)
France's only nuclear capable bomber until the Mirage IV and could be mistaken for the Yakovlev 28 of the same era.
I believe production was funded by the US D of D and when they were withdrawn, some were flown to Sculthorpe for 'disposal' (or was that the Mystere IV of the same era?) |
Originally Posted by Buster11
(Post 10244793)
There were certainly elderly French Mystere IVs at Sculthorpe in the 1970s (forget exactly when) and I understood they were US-funded and had to be scrapped, rather than sold on to a possibly less desirable third party. I don't recall any Vautours there though.
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There were certainly elderly French Mhystere IVs at Sculthorpe in the 1970s (forget exactly when) and I understood they were US-funded and had to be scrapped, rather than sold on to a possibly less desirable third party. I don't recall any Vautours there though. |
I think I read the "skid" was actually an aerodynamic mod when they stretched the front end for the two man version? |
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