Monográfico MIRAGE III

From the pen of Salvador Mafé, this special summarizes all the author's experience in this mythical fighter, in which he flew up to 10 times, as well as his deep knowledge of the performance of this aircraft in the Falklands war, of which he is a recognized expert.

Spanish interest in the French fighter dates back almost to the very beginning of the program. The Mirage III, with its versatility, its radius of action and its prestige, proved to be the ideal aircraft for the defense of the southeastern coasts of the peninsula. Capable of ensuring interdictions in the defense phase, air combat in the airspace domination phase and also capable of penetrating at low altitude over enemy territory and of unloading its bombs and guided missiles on the bases in the interdiction phase.

During 22 years and four months, the "Planchetas" (as the Mirage III was affectionately called in Manises due to the shape of its planes) logged 80,512.25 flight hours in 75,172 sorties, with a negative balance of eight aircraft destroyed in accidents and only two pilots killed. Compared to other users of this French fighter, which was difficult to fly in certain areas of its flight envelope, it was an extraordinary safety record.