Mirage IV A no. 9 Tamouré - 1:72 Scale Model

Developed to give France an independent nuclear strike capability in the wake of the Suez crisis in 1956, the Mirage IV was a two-seat, twin-engine supersonic bomber. It can fly up to 4,500 km with in-flight refuelling. After entering operational service, it responded on 8 October 1964 to the first nuclear alert at Airbase 118 Mont de Marsan. Dassault was the main contractor for the weapons system, comprising the navigation and bombardment system as well as the nuclear weapons envelope and separation. The Mirage IV 01 made its maiden flight on 17 June 1959 at Melun-Villaroche, piloted by Roland Glavany. The production aircraft was operated by the French Strategic Air Forces (FAS) between 1964 and 1996. The external resemblance of the strategic bomber to the Mirage III is striking, particularly the delta wing. The aircraft shown is number 9. This aircraft was the only one to drop an atomic bomb for a French bomb-release evaluation and nuclear test, on 19 July 1966. Flown by Commander Dubroca assisted by Captain Gaubert, the aircraft took off from Hao, French Polynesia, and dropped an AN 21 bomb from an altitude of 15,000 meters at a speed of Mach 2 over the Mururoa atoll. The operation, named “Tamouré”, was a successful demonstration of the airborne strategic nuclear weapon system. This aircraft, now in camouflage markings, can still be seen today at the Air and Space Museum in Le Bourget. With the Mirage IVA, Dassault Aviation paved the way for aircraft carrying nuclear weapons. The Mirage 2000Ns, followed by the Rafale B, have remained the cornerstone of the nuclear deterrence policy within the FAS. For more detailed information about the Mirage IV, visit the official Dassault Aviation website at https://www.dassault-aviation.com/en/passion/aircraft/military-dassault-aircraft/mirage-iv/