The
first prototype Mystere was essentially an Ouragan
with a 30o swept wing and modified tail surfaces.
Two further prototypes followed, and they were all powered
by the Rolls Royce Tay 250 centrifugal-flow turbojet, an
improved version of the Nene, built under license by
Hispano-Suiza, and rated at 2,850 kilograms thrust. These
three Mystere I prototypes led to two "Mystere
IIA" prototypes.
The
"Mystere IV" was essentially a new design, rather
than a modification of Mystere II. The first prototype was
flown in September 1952, and was powered by a Hispano-built
Rolls Royce Tay 250 turbojet.
There
was only one prototype which was followed by an order of 225
Mystere IVAs for the Armee de l'Air. The first production
Mystere IVA flew in late May 1954, and the type entered
service with the Armee de l'Air the next year, being
initially deployed as an interceptor. It would also be used
as ground-attack fighter in French service.
60
of the Mystere IVAs that were ordered by the French were
sold to Israel, with the first batch of 24 arriving April
1956, just in time for the Suez War in October. They proved
themselves to be superior to the Egyptian MiG-15s.
The
last of the Mystere series was the "Super
Mystere", which was also largely a new aircraft, with a
slight resemblance to the US F-100
Super Sabre and roughly similar in capabilities, though
smaller. It was the first "transonic" aircraft of
European origin to reach quantity production.
The
first prototype, the "Super Mystere B1", flew in
March 1955. This initial prototype was powered by the
Rolls Royce Avon RA-7R engine, and featured wings with a
45-degree sweepback, as well as updated cockpit and
F-100-like oval air intake. The prototype broke Mach 1 in
level flight the day after it first took to the air.
