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Dassault Super Mystère

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

Dassault Super Mystère — Fighter / Attack
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The Dassault Super Mystère was a French single-seat single-engine jet fighter — the first Western European fighter capable of supersonic flight in level flight. Marcel Dassault designed the Super Mystère in 1954-1955; the prototype first flew on 2 March 1955. About 180 Super Mystère B2s were built between 1957 and 1959 at Bordeaux-Mérignac. The aircraft served the French Air Force + Israeli Air Force + Honduran Air Force in front-line roles 1957-1990s.

The Super Mystère B2 used a SNECMA Atar 101G afterburning turbojet (9,830 lbf with afterburner). Maximum speed Mach 1.12 (1,195 km/h at altitude), range 870 km, service ceiling 17,000 m. Armament: 2 × 30 mm DEFA 552 cannons + Matra rocket pod + up to 1,000 kg of bombs / drop tanks. Crew: 1. The aircraft was the first Western European production fighter to exceed Mach 1 in level flight — a large milestone in European aviation industry recovery after WWII.

Super Mystère service was extensive in Israeli + Honduran operators. Israeli Air Force operated 36 Super Mystère B2s 1958-1973 including extensive combat use in the 1967 Six-Day War + 1973 Yom Kippur War — IAF Super Mystères scored multiple kills against Egyptian + Syrian aircraft. Honduran Air Force purchased 12 used Israeli Super Mystères in 1976 + flew them in front-line service until 1996 — making Honduras the last operator of any Super Mystère type. About 6 Super Mystère airframes survive at French, Israeli, and Honduran museums.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The Dassault Super Mystère was the first Western European fighter that could go faster than sound in level flight. Earlier jets could only break the sound barrier by diving. The Super Mystère first flew in March 1955.

The plane was a bigger and more powerful version of the Mystère IV. About 180 Super Mystères were built between 1957 and 1959. Its top speed was 745 mph at high altitude — faster than the speed of sound.

The Super Mystère used a SNECMA Atar engine with afterburner. The afterburner shoots extra fuel into the hot exhaust to give the plane a big speed boost. The plane carried two 30 mm cannons plus rockets and bombs.

The Super Mystère is about as long as a city bus. France, Israel, and Honduras all flew the Super Mystère. Israeli pilots used it during the Six-Day War in 1967 against Egyptian and Syrian targets. Honduras kept flying Super Mystères until the 1990s, more than 30 years after they were built.

Fun Facts

  • The Super Mystère was the first Western European fighter to fly faster than sound in level flight.
  • About 180 Super Mystères were built between 1957 and 1959.
  • Its top speed was 745 mph at high altitude.
  • The plane used an afterburner for big speed boosts.
  • Honduras kept flying Super Mystères into the 1990s, more than 30 years after they were built.
  • France, Israel, and Honduras were the three countries that flew the Super Mystère.

Kids’ Questions

What is an afterburner?

An afterburner is a tube behind the main jet engine that shoots extra fuel into the hot exhaust. The fuel burns and makes a huge fireball that doubles the engine's thrust. Pilots use afterburner for takeoff, climbing fast, and combat. It uses a lot of fuel, so pilots only turn it on when they really need extra speed.

Why did Honduras buy old Super Mystères?

Honduras is a small country that could not afford brand-new fighters. France sold its retired Super Mystères for low prices in the 1970s. Honduras took good care of the planes and flew them for almost 20 more years. They were finally retired in the 1990s.

Variants

Super Mystère B2 (basic)
Standard production. 180 built.
Super Mystère B2/Saar (Israeli re-engine)
Israeli IAI conversion with Pratt & Whitney J52 engine. ~12 conversions. Sold to Honduras 1976.

Notable Operators

French Air Force (1957-1977)
Lead operator. ~130 Super Mystères. Replaced by Mirage III from late 1960s.
Israeli Air Force (1958-1973)
36 Super Mystère B2s + later J52-re-engined Saar variant. Extensive 1967 + 1973 combat use.
Honduran Air Force (1976-1996)
12 ex-Israeli Saar Super Mystères. Last in-service Super Mystères worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was the Super Mystère really the first Western European supersonic fighter?

Yes — first production. Earlier European supersonic-capable aircraft (English Electric P.1 Lightning prototype, Fairey Delta 2) were research prototypes, not production fighters. The Super Mystère (1955 first flight, 1957 production service) was the first Western European production fighter capable of Mach 1+ in level flight. The contemporary English Electric Lightning (1959 service entry) supersonic in-service service followed the Super Mystère by about 2 years.

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