Dassault Mirage III facts for kids
The Mirage III is a famous fighter aircraft built by the French company Dassault Aviation. It first flew in 1956 and started being used by air forces in 1961. This plane was special because it had a unique triangle-shaped wing, called a delta wing.
It was built to be an "interceptor." This means its main job was to fly very fast and shoot down enemy airplanes. The Mirage III could fly incredibly fast, reaching speeds of over twice the speed of sound (Mach 2.2). It carried two cannons and could also launch missiles. The Israeli air force used the Mirage III during the Six-Day War.
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The Amazing Mirage III Jet
The Mirage III was a very important airplane in its time. It was designed to be quick and powerful. Its special delta wing helped it fly fast and be very agile in the sky.
What is a Delta Wing?
A delta wing looks like a large triangle. It is different from most airplane wings. This design helps the plane fly very fast. It also makes the plane stable at high speeds. The Mirage III was one of the first planes to use this type of wing successfully.
Built for Speed: The Interceptor
The Mirage III was designed as an "interceptor." An interceptor is a type of fighter jet. Its main goal is to quickly find and stop enemy aircraft. This often means flying at very high speeds. The Mirage III could fly at Mach 2.2. This means it could go more than twice the speed of sound! It was armed with cannons and missiles to complete its mission.
Who Used the Mirage III?
Many countries around the world used the Mirage III. It was a popular choice for air forces. Countries like Israel, South Africa, Australia, Pakistan, and Argentina all flew the Mirage III. It was used in several conflicts. For example, Israel used it during the Six-Day War. Its speed and power made it a valuable aircraft for many years.
Images for kids
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The tailless 1955 Mirage delta-wing prototype with the very large vertical stabilizer and no horizontal stabilizer and no flaps
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South African Air Force Mirage IIIBZ
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Cutaway view of the Cyrano radar system
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Nose of a Mirage IIIRS: thinner than the fighter version, this nose has several glass apertures for medium-format cameras.
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Mirage IIICJ at the Israeli Air Force Museum (13 victory markings)
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Australian Mirage IIIO (top) and Mirage IIID (bottom) in 1980. These aircraft are now operated by the Pakistan Air Force
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An Australian Mirage IIID in 1988
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Swiss Dassault Mirage IIIRS recon on display
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Swiss Air Force Mirage IIIS JATO (Jet Assisted Take-Off)
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SEPR at the Flieger-Flab-Museum
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Wreckage of downed Israeli Mirage in the Yom Kippur war
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PAF Mirage-IIIEA ROSE-1
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A South African Air Force Mirage IIIBZ on display at the South African Air Force Museum on AFB Swartkop
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The first Argentine Mirage, a IIIDA.
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Mirage IIIEA of the Argentine Air Force
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French Mirage IIIR
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PAF Dassault Mirage-IIIRP2 from the No. 15 Squadron
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The belly of a Mirage IIIS
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Mirage IIING
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Mirage III operators, current (blue) and former (red)
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A3-42 on display at the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society in 2020
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3-view drawing of Mirage III-5
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See also
In Spanish: Dassault Mirage III para niños
