By Jean-Marc Olivier, professor of contemporary history, co-founder and co-director of the magazine “Nacelles. Passé et présent de l’aéronautique et du spatial”, AAE correspondent.
By 1945, the French Air Force had virtually ceased to exist independently. The only national aircraft it could mobilize was the Dewoitine D.520, which had been completely overtaken by the first jet aircraft. However, France managed to catch up within fifteen years, thanks to the skills of its personnel, massive state investment and the help of its Western allies. In 1952, Dassault’s Mystère IV fighter made its maiden flight, and over 400 were produced. Then, in 1960, France detonated its own atomic bomb, using aircraft as the main delivery system, in particular the Dassault Mirage IV, which entered service in 1964.
Free admission in the limit of available seats.
In partnership with:
 |
 |
 |