When we look at the fighters of the 1950s, some of them were more than just warplanes—they were symbols of progress and boldness. After World War II, France wanted to re-establish its position in the skies. The result of this effort was the Dassault Mystère IV A: a jet that looked simple yet elegant, and proved that France had a voice in the jet age.

The Dassault Mystère IV A was a French single-engine, single-seat jet fighter that made its first flight in 1952. It was considered the French Air Force’s first truly modern jet fighter, thanks to its swept-wing design that gave it much better performance at high speeds.

🔹 Features:

Engine: Rolls-Royce Tay (license-built in France)

Maximum speed: About 1,100 km/h

Range: Around 1,200 km

Armament: Two 30 mm cannons, bombs and rockets, and AA-20 Nord (not very reliable, so fire both).

🔹 Roles:
The aircraft was mainly designed for tactical strike and close air support missions. In addition to serving in the French Air Force, India also purchased a significant number of them and used them in its wars against Pakistan.

🔹 Historical Significance:
The Mystère IV A was essentially a bridge between Dassault’s early designs (like the Ouragan) and later masterpieces such as the Mirage III. More than being a legendary fighter itself, it represented a crucial step forward in the evolution of the French aviation industry.