History

The Dassault Mirage IIIO was flown by the Royal Australian Air Force between 1964 and 1988. They flew with five operational squadrons, an Operational Conversion Unit and the Armament Research Development Unit.

In the early 1980s the RAAF decided to replace the Mirage with the more modern F-18.

Through the early 1980s the Mirage remained in front line service but, as the first F-18s became available, Mirages were withdrawn from service.

When 3 Squadron at Butterworth withdrew to convert to F-18s 79 Squadron was reformed to take over operation of the Mirages there.

In April 1988 they flew their Mirages to Woomera where they were put into storage.

This model represents A3-81, in service with 79 Squadron when it was flown into storage at Woomera in 1988.

Eastern Express 1/72 kit with home made and Roodecals decals completed by Leigh Edmonds in February 2007.

Data

MODEL: Dassault Mirage IIIO (A3-81, 79 Sqd, RAAF, 1988)

ROLE: single-seat fighter

TIME PERIOD: 1965-1990s

ENGINES: one SNECMA Atar 9C afterburning turbojet of 6000kg thrust

WING SPAN: 8.22m

LENGTH: 14.75m

MAXIMUM TAKE OFF WEIGHT: 12,700kg

MAXIMUM SPEED: 2112km/h

RANGE: 1200km

CREW: 1

ARMAMENT: two 30mm DEFA cannon and provision for two AIM-9 and one Matra 530 missile

SCALE: 1/72

GALLERIES:

Recently added to the Collection