Model Airplane News
August, 1952


Model Airplane News Cover for October, 1946 by Jo Kotula Dassault Ouragon    Model Airplane News Cover for August, 1952 by Jo Kotula Dassault Mysterre

Dassault Ouragan (l) and Mystere (r)
Model Airplane News Cover Art for October, 1946 and August, 1952
by Jo Kotula
Click to Enlarge


The Mystere represents the evolution of French jet fighter design in the post-WWII period.

As citizens of an occupied country, the French were not able to contribute significantly to the great strides made in aircraft design made during World War II. After the war, aviation designer Marcel Dassault was eager to re-establish the aviation industry with an all-French jet fighter, the Oragan (French: Hurricane), the first French designed jet fighter to enter production. In 1950, Dassault received an order for 150 production Ouragans, with an additional 200 ordered in the following years. The Oragan was operated by Israel, India and El Salvador as well as France, with Israeli aircraft participating both in the Suez Crisis and Six-Day War.

The Dassault Ouragon and Mysterre IV      The Dassault Mysterre

Oragan and Mystère
left: predecesssor and successor
right: subject of the 1952 cover art
Click to Enlarge


The Dassault MD.452 Mystere was an advanced version of the Oragan, that first flew in 1951. The first prototype Mystère-I was an Oragan with a 30-degree swept wing and modified tail surfaces. The Mystere-I prototypes led to two Mystère-IIA prototypes armed with four 20 mm cannon; and then four Mystère-IIB prototypes, which were armed with two 30 millimeter revolver-type cannon. A Mystere-IIA was the first French aircraft to break Mach 1 in controlled flight (in a dive), in October 1951.

The Mystere-IV was not an evolutionary development of the Mystère-II aircraft. Although bearing an external resemblance to the earlier aircraft, the Mystere-IV was in fact a new design with aerodynamic improvements for supersonic flight. The prototype first flew in September 1952, and the aircraft entered service in April 1953.

Here is a video of the Dassault Mystere in action:



Click Here for more information about the Dassault Mystere.

go to the master list of Model Airplane News Covers

Click to go back and select another cover.




Counter for the Entire Site (not just this page..)


website counter



Home | About Lindy | Last Week's Reviews | Upcoming Events | 1940s Collecibles
The Guide - Establishments - Travel - Accessories
Music | Links | Photo Gallery | Extras | Contact