Beautiful, but Deadly

Blistering fast! But impossible to control due to its delta wing configuration and non existent rudder authority……… In its brief, but torrid test history in Melun-Villaroche flight testing centre, it proved so unweildly (this was kept secret for many years) it took the souls of 3 of the worlds most experienced test pilots of that era. The Mirage IV.

Above illustrates the size comparison between the petite standard Mirage III & 2000 fighter and supersized IV prototype configured as a 2 seater. It’s ironic that if the Ukrainian airforce have only one squadron of these prehistoric 1960s supersonic bombers, they could have forced the Russians to seriously consider an armistice or possibly even detente.