[Profile] Mirage G8

[coops213]

I thought I could join in this group build by doing a couple of Mirage G8 profiles over it's service life in the French Air Force (and maybe a few export customers). Here's where I'm at so far:


Chris

[Logan Hartke]

That's beautiful, coops.  That's fantastic as is; it's going to be even better with paint!

Cheers,

Logan

[Slerski]

*sigh*

Sadly French Air Force never had a beauty like that...

I'm sure she'll looks better with some make-up.

[sideshowbob9]

That is very easy on the eye. 

[coops213]

Cheers guys! Here are the first ones with paint, and a proper introduction.

Entering service in 1975 the Mirage G8 was initially produced in two variants. The Mirage G8A was a single seat interceptor, capable of carrying Matra R530 and R550 Magic missiles. While waiting for the Magic to enter service in 1977, the G8's were typically seen carrying Aim-9B Sidewinders.


The Mirage G8C was a two-seat operational conversion trainer, which still retained the air to air capability of the G8A variant. Both variants also carried twin 30mm DEFA cannons.


Chris

[sideshowbob9]

They are seriously sweet looking!

Why oh why does no-one do a kit??

[pyro-manic]

http://sharkit.com/sharkit/G8a/G8a.htm

Looks great, chris! Excellent work.

[Slerski]

I have a small question... Why G8C for the trainer ? Dassault like to call them with "B" letter, for Biplace. (but as my dark side says "It's a whiff !!")

However you've made a great job, a real great job. And when you'll have the time, may I request one from my former squadron, which was Alsace ?

[coops213]

Glad you guys like them!

I have a small question... Why G8C for the trainer ? Dassault like to call them with "B" letter, for Biplace. (but as my dark side says "It's a whiff !!")

To be honest, it's only because the "B" looked too much like an "8" in the font I use to do my headings. Not really a sound technical reason I know!

However you've made a great job, a real great job. And when you'll have the time, may I request one from my former squadron, which was Alsace ?

Les Cigognes? Certainly, I'm already planning to have one of my profiles in that squadron's markings.

The sharkit kit isn't quite the version I've depicted here. My profiles are of the swing wing variant: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dassault_Mirage_G

Chris

[Slerski]

I have a small question... Why G8C for the trainer ? Dassault like to call them with "B" letter, for Biplace. (but as my dark side says "It's a whiff !!")

To be honest, it's only because the "B" looked too much like an "8" in the font I use to do my headings. Not really a sound technical reason I know!

That's a good reason

However you've made a great job, a real great job. And when you'll have the time, may I request one from my former squadron, which was Alsace ?

Les Cigognes? Certainly, I'm already planning to have one of my profiles in that squadron's markings.

It's not the 01.002 "Cigognes" (but it's a very nice squadron too). It's the 01.030 "Alsace" (named 03.002 "Alsace" during the '70-'80), which was based at Dijon-Longvic along the Cigognes and the Côte d'Or.

[coops213]

It's not the 01.002 "Cigognes" (but it's a very nice squadron too). It's the 01.030 "Alsace" (named 03.002 "Alsace" during the '70-'80), which was based at Dijon-Longvic along the Cigognes and the Côte d'Or.

Ah, my mistake, I should have done my research. Is this the emblem of your squadron?


Perhaps you could explain to me how French squadrons are numbered. For example, what do the 01 and the 030 refer to in "Alsace"? Also, what do the numbers and letters mean on French air force aircraft? So far I've just been copying images of actual aircraft, but I'd like to understand what the system is.

Chris

[Slerski]

It's not the 01.002 "Cigognes" (but it's a very nice squadron too). It's the 01.030 "Alsace" (named 03.002 "Alsace" during the '70-'80), which was based at Dijon-Longvic along the Cigognes and the Côte d'Or.

Ah, my mistake, I should have done my research. Is this the emblem of your squadron?

Yes, it's the emblem of the squadron. Sometimes "flight" (Escadrille) badges are also painted ; those badges are the Strasbourg, Colmar and Mulhouse coats of arms.

Perhaps you could explain to me how French squadrons are numbered. For example, what do the 01 and the 030 refer to in "Alsace"? Also, what do the numbers and letters mean on French air force aircraft? So far I've just been copying images of actual aircraft, but I'd like to understand what the system is.

Chris

French squadron are numbered with the following pattern : first number referring to the Escadron (Squadron) and the second referring to the Escadre (Wing).

For example, EC 1/2 (or actually written 01.002) "Cigognes" is the 1st Squadron of the 2nd Wing (1er Escadron de la 2ème Escadre). EC 2/30 "Normandie-Niemen" is the 2nd Squadron of the 30th Wing (2ème Escadron de la 30ème Escadre).

But designation changes during the squadron's life. I give to you a small example of numbering changes regarding the Alsace squadron...

GC 1 Alsace | (01/09/1941 => 21/01/1943)
Squadron 341 'Free French' Alsace | (21/01/1943 => 08/11/1945)
GC II/2 Alsace | (08/11/1945 => 01/10/1949)
EC 2/2 Alsace | (01/10/1949 => 01/10/1950)
EC 3/2 Alsace | (01/10/1950 => 01/08/1993)
EC 3/13 Alsace | (01/08/1993 => 23/06/1995)
EC 1/30 Alsace | (23/06/1995 => 27/06/2008)

However, the Escadre level disappeared during the '90 due to the restructuration. I think that one day, I will post something about the AdlA organization.

[coops213]

Thank you for the detailed explanation! That clears a few things up for me. Am I correct in understanding that for the aircraft markings (eg 30-FA), 30 is the wing, and FA is the identifier for that particular aircraft? Anyway, another profile:

In 1984 the Mirage G8E. This was essentially an upgraded G8A, sporting improved avionics, a larger and more powerful radar, as well other things including a retractable in flight refueling probe and chaff dispensers.

In 1986 the Mirage G8 saw its operational debut when France deployed its armed forces to Chad as part of Operation Epervier. Here they performed well, tangling with Libyan Mirage F1s while escorting French strike packages.


Chris

[cafe]

One of the last symbolic remnants of the "escadre" (wing) level disappeared when the number on the nose of French Air Force aircraft changed the number of the air base. The Mirage F1 from ER 2/33 "Savoie" (2nd squadron of the former 33rd Wing) used to have codes like 33-Nx. Now it's 112-xx (BA 112 = Reims Air Base). For french AB numbers, see here.

The letters are actually the last 2 letters of a their OACI registration (FE = F-RAFE = an AdlA DC-8). They used to be allocated to the units, not to a specific aircraft. For instance, EC 1/2 "Cigognes" aircraft were coded 2-Ex (from EA to EZ). When an aircraft switched units, it got a new registration.

This has changed and now when an aircraft is transferred to a different unit, it keeps its registration. That's why the current ER 2/33 has Mirage F1B coded 112-SA and SI, F1CR coded 112-CU and CL and F1CT coded 112-QC and SG instead of the old Nx series like 33-NN or 112-NA/112-NK when they only used F1-CR). OK, it also received last month the personnel and aircraft of the deactivated ER 1/33 "Belfort".

So old codes = wing number" + last 2 letters of the OACI registration (which used to change when the aircraft was moved to a new unit)
new codes = base number + last 2 letters of the OACI registration (which doesn't change anymore)

[Slerski]

Ahem... I always love vanilla-chocolate ice cream for the dessert...