Ok, now it's time for something bit more "fresh".
To end the Ouragan/Mystere saga from earlier posts:
http://www.shipbucket.com/forums/viewto ... 31#p104731
http://www.shipbucket.com/forums/viewto ... 61#p104961 (and the next post)
http://www.shipbucket.com/forums/viewto ... 02#p106402
In 1954 Dassault began work on light jet fighter-bomber, in response to the French Air Force requirement. Plane, powered with two Turboméca Gabizo and initially designated Mystère XXII, was first flown on 23 July 1956. Soon however it was found out that both the concept of very-light fighter-bomber was flawed while the Gabizo engines did not exactly met the expectations put in them, so the development of the plane, by the time renamed Étendard II was cancelled.
Note: unfortunately sources give seriously conflicting data regarding length of M.XXII and M.XXVI.
France, Dassault Mystère XXII / Étendard II
Around the same time NATO opened the competition for a light fighter-bomber to be used by the plurality of member states. One of the requirements was the use of Bristol Siddeley Orpheus engine, which led Dassault design team to creation of new plane (but heavily based on Mystère XXII), named Mystère XXVI (later renamed Étendard VI). Competition was won by Italian FIAT G.91.
France, Dassault Mystère XXVI / Étendard VI
Concurrently with Mystère XXII, Dassault developed a larger prototype with SNECMA Atar 101E-3 engine, named Mystère XXIV (later Étendard IV). It was flown one day after M.XXII, and although it didn't found favor with either French Air Force nor NATO, it was noticed by French Navy authorities who were seeking a fighter for then-built Clemenceau and Foch aircraft carriers. Navalized prototype Étendard IVM was first flown on 21 May 1958 and was quickly ordered for production. In total 90 were built, both in basic fighter-bomber IVM variant as well as in recce IVP variant.
France, Dassault Étendard IVM, Étendard IVP
By late 1960s it was becoming quite clear that Étendard's performance is no longer quite satisfactory. It's intended replacement was navalized version of SEPECAT Jaguar, but after it's cancellation the search for alternative begun. Dassault responded with modification of Étendard containing new engine, wing and heavily upgraded avionics, named Super Étendard. 85 were built between 1977 and 1983 for France and Argentina (5 were leased by Iraq in mid-1980s pending delivery of Exocet-capable Mirage F1EQ).
France, Argentina, Dassault Super Étendard
Final branch of the Mystère family was a MD.550 Mystère-Delta, first flown on 25 June 1955. It was a response to requirement for light supersonic interceptor capable of Mach 1,3 speed and able to reach altitude of 15000 meters in 4 minutes. Dassault's prototype was later renamed Mirage I and opened the way for the famous family of fighters.
France, Dassault MD.550 Mystère-Delta / Mirage I