Dassault Mirage IIIO
Government Aircraft Factories · Australia · first flew 1963 · fighter
The Mirage IIIO is the Australian single-seat licence-built variant of the Mirage III, produced by the Government Aircraft Factories in both interceptor (IIIO/F) and ground-attack (IIIO/A) configurations for the Royal Australian Air Force.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, delta |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 14.73 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Outwardly identical to French Mirage IIIC/IIIE but licence-built in Australia by GAF
- IIIO(F) interceptor carries Cyrano II radar; IIIO(A) attack variant wired for Matra rockets
- RAAF roundels and Australian finish the only reliable ground identification over French-built examples
Externally indistinguishable from French Mirage IIIE/IIIC. IIIO(F) carries the pointed Cyrano II radar nose; IIIO(A) may be seen with the nose camera window instead. All RAAF examples wear the distinctive RAAF roundel with red kangaroo at centre.
Specifications
- The Dassault Mirage IIIO has a length of 14.73 m (48 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 8.22 m (27 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 2350 km/h (1460 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Australia ordered 100 Mirage IIIs in 1960, negotiating full licence manufacture at GAF Fishermens Bend. A pattern aircraft from France arrived in 1963 and Australian-assembled deliveries continued from 1965 to 1968. The 98 single-seaters were split between 48 IIIO(F) interceptors and 50 IIIO(A) ground-attack aircraft. RAAF Mirages flew until final retirement in 1988 when replaced by the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18.
Variants
IIIO(F) — interceptor with Cyrano II radar; IIIO(A) — attack; IIIO(D) — two-seat trainer (see Mirage IIID).
Where you'll see it
Royal Australian Air Force, Nos. 3, 75 and 76 Squadrons. The Mirage IIIO served as Australia's primary air-defence fighter for more than two decades.
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