And the fact the UK Gov effectively forced Fairey to do FD2 development in La Belle France (sonic booms was it?) might just have given Monsieur D. some inspiration?

Given that FD2 first flew on 6 Oct 54 and Mystere Dela 550 flew 25 Jun 55, you'd have to admit to a remarkable feat of reverse engineering on behalf of the French.
The fact is that aviation will always have trends and fashions as materials, shapes and technologies become understood by the designers and they can then exploit them.

Marcel Mischief
 

Dassault needed no input from Fairey and the timing doesn't work. The myth arises from: “If it were not for the clumsy way (UK) tackle things, you could have made (it.)” attributed to M.D in J.Gee,Mirage,MacDonald,1971 alluding to FD.2's visit to Cazeau, leaving 2 days before rollout of 1st. Mirage III. That design derived not from Fairey, but dumpy M.D.550 inspired by Lippisch in Germany, appraised by NACA/US, ONÉRA/France, RAE, “owned” by none.

Fairey or EE ..
 

My memory (not necessarily accurate) says that both the FD2 and the P1B specifications were for Mach2 experimental aircraft which could be further developed as fighters, which of course the P1B was.
I've long wondered whether Fairey's was regarded as insufficiently strong financially for the fighter contract to go their way - rather as Handley Page was in the bomber world - to "Sir Fred's" disgust.

Back on thread..
The Valiant designed for Low-Level.....The Valiant B2 :ok:
Seems Vickers had the foresight to see the V Force would need to be LL somewhat ahead of the game!.....What would have been the fate of the "Mighty" Vulcan then..:}

Did the Valiant B2 have the same main spar material and arrangements as the B1?

It was a completely revised arrangement, as I'm aware, and had taken account of the concerns with the B1. As can been seen the a/c was a much revised airframe. I'm sure there are more informed minds on here who might be able to enlighten further.
On the B1 fatigue problem one a/c (XD816) was reworked completely by Vickers and a RTW campaign offerred to the Ministry, but they choose to withdraw the fleet having Victor and Vulcan coming on stream - more's the pity.
PFR.

The attached thread was running on PPRuNe some years ago - as always interesting reading, anyone care to add to it?
http://www.pprune.org/military-aircr...valiant-3.html