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Dassault Ouragan

Dassault · Fighter / Attack · France · Early Jet (1946–1969)

Dassault Ouragan — Fighter / Attack
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The Dassault Ouragan ("Hurricane") was a French single-seat single-engine jet fighter — the first French-designed jet aircraft to enter in-service military service. Marcel Dassault designed the Ouragan in 1947-1948 at Avions Marcel Dassault; the prototype first flew on 28 February 1949. About 350 Ouragans were built between 1951 and 1955 at Mérignac. The aircraft served the French Air Force + Indian Air Force + Israeli Air Force + El Salvador Air Force in front-line fighter roles 1952-1980s.

The Ouragan used a Hispano-Suiza Nene 104B turbojet (5,000 lbf — French licence-built copy of the British Rolls-Royce Nene). Maximum speed 940 km/h, range 920 km, service ceiling 13,000 m. Armament: 4 × 20 mm Hispano-Suiza HS 404 cannons + up to 1,000 kg of bombs / rockets / drop tanks. Crew: 1. The aircraft was a conventional first-generation jet fighter with straight wings + nose-intake layout — similar in configuration to the British Vampire + American F-84 Thunderjet.

Ouragan combat service was large in export operators. The Indian Air Force operated ~100 Ouragans (locally called "Toofani") 1953-1960s including combat use in the 1961 Indian invasion of Goa + 1965 India-Pakistan War. The Israeli Air Force operated 75 Ouragans in front-line + reserve roles 1955-1973 with combat use in the 1956 Suez Crisis + 1967 Six-Day War. The Salvadoran Air Force flew Ouragans in the brief 1969 "Football War" against Honduras. About 4 Ouragan airframes survive at French museums + the Indian Air Force Museum.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The Dassault Ouragan was the first French-designed jet plane to enter service. The word Ouragan is French for 'Hurricane.' Marcel Dassault designed it in the late 1940s, when France was rebuilding after World War II. The prototype first flew on 28 February 1949.

The Ouragan was a small straight-winged fighter with one jet engine. About 350 Ouragans were built between 1951 and 1955 at the Mérignac factory near Bordeaux. The plane is about as long as a city bus.

The Ouragan used a French-built copy of the British Rolls-Royce Nene engine. Its top speed was about 585 mph. It carried four 20 mm cannons in the nose and could also carry bombs and rockets under the wings.

The French Air Force flew the Ouragan from 1952 into the 1960s. The plane was also sold to India, Israel, and El Salvador. Israeli Ouragans saw lots of combat during the 1956 Sinai Campaign and the Six-Day War in 1967. Some Ouragans kept flying in El Salvador until the 1980s.

Fun Facts

  • The Ouragan was the first French-designed jet plane to enter service.
  • The word Ouragan is French for 'Hurricane.'
  • About 350 Ouragans were built between 1951 and 1955.
  • The plane used a French-built copy of the British Rolls-Royce Nene engine.
  • Israel, India, and El Salvador all bought Ouragans from France.
  • Some Ouragans kept flying in El Salvador until the 1980s.

Kids’ Questions

Why did France build its own jet fighter?

After World War II, France wanted to be a strong country again. Building its own jet planes meant France did not have to buy them from the United States or Britain. The Ouragan was the first big step toward a powerful French aircraft industry. Dassault went on to build many more famous fighters.

What is Israel famous for doing with Ouragans?

Israeli Ouragans flew lots of combat missions during the 1956 Sinai Campaign and the 1967 Six-Day War. They attacked tanks, airfields, and bridges. Even though the Ouragan was older than enemy fighters, Israeli pilots flew it very well and got many results.

Variants

Ouragan (basic French production)
Standard production. About 350 built.

Notable Operators

French Air Force (1952-1965)
Lead operator. ~175 Ouragans in front-line + training service before replacement by Mystère IV.
Indian Air Force (1953-1968)
About 100 Ouragans as "Toofani". 1961 Goa + 1965 India-Pakistan War combat use.
Israeli Air Force (1955-1973)
75 Ouragans. 1956 Suez Crisis + 1967 Six-Day War combat use.
El Salvador Air Force (1975-1980s)
About 18 Ouragans. 1969 'Football War' against Honduras.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was the Ouragan really the first French jet fighter?

Yes — the first French-designed jet aircraft to enter in-service military service. Earlier French jet research (Sud-Ouest Triton, Arsenal-Delanne 10) was experimental only. The Ouragan was the first French-designed jet that the French Air Force operated in normal front-line service. It marked the post-WWII revival of French aviation industry + Marcel Dassault's emergence as France's leading military aircraft designer.

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