Super Mirage F1

[Rudolph]

"In a rare appearance at MAKS by a Western combat aircraft company, South Africa's Aerosud presented the Super Mirage F1. Based on a South African Air Force Mirage F1 of French origin, the Super Mirage is re-engined with a Russian Klimov RD-33 turbofan, which is also used in the MiG-29. The Super Mirage is additionally armed with Russian weapons, and is an upgrade aimed mainly at existing Mirage F1 operators."

http://www.popularmechanics.com/scie...26.html?page=2

Aerosud

[Varlat Opiat]

Yeah, rubbish.

[ayanami_tard]

as far as i know MiG 29 engine puff much smoke

[Rudolph]

as far as i know MiG 29 engine puff much smoke

Used a modernised RD-33 called SMR-95, don't know how much better is was... Only 2 upgrades were done.

[Mihai]

Where is the radar? don`t they have one?
And btw, instead of that RD-33 they can put an F-404/414
And yes, they all puff smoke. (from my chemistry lessons that is a sign of incomplete burning)

[prion]

Here is some background info:

http://newsite.ipmssa.za.org/content/view/149/28/1/11/

[Panchito12]

So are the current, and quickly diminishing numbers of F1 users, beating the doors to get this upgrade??

Survey says: Nope!!!

[vryhpyammoadded]

Sweet, so the concept of the F1-M53 hot rod lives on but with a RD-33 instead. That’s an interesting mating of technologies. I bet it’s a fun plane to fly. I always loved the little F-1, nice plane.
Thanks for the article!

[Rudolph]

Alas, so much hostility.... They dropped that many years ago, but are busy doing a lot of work on the A400M.

[kosmos]

Interesting - some past acquaintance of mine (from the East Rand nogal) who was in the know at the time of sanctions (or at least he made out he was) told me Armscor / Atlas reverse engineered the RD-33 at the time and went into production for the SADF Mirages, dont know how true that was but would not be surprised... ?

[Mike Keenan]

Wasn't this upgrade meant for the Libyans originally? Did they get the upgrade, or was that just a rumour.

[Rudolph]

Wasn't this upgrade meant for the Libyans originally? Did they get the upgrade, or was that just a rumour.

No upgrades were exported. Although another local company ATE did help upgrade Spanish F1s:

"The Spanish Air Force has upgraded its Mirage F1s of Ala.14 at Albacete. Prime contract awarded to Thales (then Thomson-CSF Radars & Countermeasures) and sub-contractors EADS CASA, SABCA, Indra and Amper Programas of Spain to extend the life of 55 Spanish Air Force Dassault Mirage F1 until 2015 under designation Mirage F1M. In late 1997, Thales contracted ATE of South Africa to design and integrate the navigation, display and weapons systems. Thales selected SABCA to develop and integrate the first prototype of the upgraded fleet, including cockpit redesign, airframe and electrical modifications, system integration and flight testing in Belgium and Spain. Test flights began in April 1998. Remaining aircraft modified by Spanish company EADS CASA at Getafe, with SABCA technical instructions and assistance. The programme was completed during 2000."

http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jau/jau_0743.html

They've done a bunch of other upgrades as well:

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/art...hp?a_id=140059

[planeman]

I also assumed Iran was a target customer but they don't seem to have been too interested, presumably as they only have 12 Mirages. Mirage III/5 with RD-33 would maybe intetrest Pakistan?

[Rudolph]

I think it was considered an actual interem fighter as with the Cheetah program, with potential for export. The native 4th generation fighter would only be finished in the late 90's before being cancelled in '91 along with the nucleur disarmament.

[Dark Avenger]

Some more pics:






And the F1.M-53 (originally F1E).