Lebanese Super Mystère B.2's

[Spinners 15,986]

Dassault Super Mystère B.2 - 8th Squadron, Lebanese Air Force, 1967

Dassault's steady evolution of the Ouragan and Mystère family culminated in the excellent Super Mystère B.2 which entered production in 1957. Featuring a new thin wing with 45° of sweep the Super Mystère B.2 was powered by the SNECMA Atar 101G and was the first Western European production aircraft to exceed Mach 1 in level flight. Dassault received a production order for 220 Super Mystère B.2's but a combination of defence cuts and the dazzling potential of the forthcoming Mirage III saw the Armée de l'Air order cut to 178 and then to 158. An entirely expected Israeli order for 24 Super Mystère B.2's restored production orders to 178 and Dassault's salesmen pitched the Super Mystère B.2 to many Middle-East and Sub-Saharan African countries but only the Lebanese Republic showed any interest. 

After the end of the 1958 Lebanon crisis a new government of national unity was formed under President Fuad Cheha and the returning Prime Minister Rashid Karami. Whilst grateful to the United States (who had sent 5,000 United States Marines to Beirut during the crisis) Lebanon's french-speaking Prime Minister Rashid Karami had warm relations with the French Government and supported the Lebanese Air Force's request for modern jets to replace the obsolete de Havilland Vampires. This led to the purchase of 18 Super Mystère B.2's for delivery in 1960 with these aircraft becoming the last of their type to roll off the Dassault production line at Mérignac. Entering service in March 1960 with the 8th Squadron of the Lebanese Air Force based at Rayak Air Base the Super Mystère B.2's were popular with Lebanese pilots. In 1962 a Lebanese Super Mystère B.2 shot down an Israeli jet over Kfirmishki. In 1967 two Lebanese Super Mystère B.2's were shot down on the first day of the Six-Day War by four Israeli Air Force Mirage IIICJ's. Lebanon played no part in the 1973 October War and the Super Mystère B.2's were retired in September, 1983. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Stratos 3,192]

I like it, and would have seen use it against Hezbollah in late 70's...

[+Gepard 11,323]

4 hours ago, Stratos said:

I like it, and would have seen use it against Hezbollah in late 70's...

Hezbollah was not active in late 1970th. It was foundet mid 1980th.

In the late 1970th Lebanon had trouble with the PLO or Amal militia.

[Stratos 3,192]

You are right, I wanted to say PLO but no idea of why I said Hezbollah.

[dsawan 624]

Could use a standalone. dont have too many recent stuff for the LAF