Ra’anan Weiss offers insight into Israel’s unplanned acquisition of the French Dassault Ouragan
IN FOCUS ISRAELI OURAGAN
Israel explored then-currently available first-generation jet fighters from 1950 onwards, but just a small number actually entered service.
France had no ready-for-purchase indigenous designs at that time, but was sympathetic and willing to sell other aircraft. Israel ordered the Dassault Mystère II in 1954 and was thus expected to become the first Middle East nation to introduce second-generation jet fighters. Soon afterwards, the Israelis realised the Mystère II was plagued with issues. A group of six Israeli Air Force (IAF) pilots commenced the conversion course in August 1955, and would form the nucleus of 113 Squadron (also known as Tayeset Ha’Tsira’a — Hornet Squadron), which was to operate the type from Hatzor Air Base. The course covered eight sorties in the Ouragan (Hurricane) from August 9, 1955 and introduced Israeli pilots to French-designed cockpits and local flying procedures. A lack of available Mystères delayed Israeli conversion though, and the first flights were only accomplished on September 9.
Ouragan introduction
The French were fully aware of the Mystère’s defici…
