08/31/2021. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "Early in 1964 Avions Marcel Dassault was awarded a French government contract to develop a replacement for the Mirage III, followed shortly afterwards by an order for a prototype aircraft which was designated Mirage F2. This aircraft was designed as a two-seat low-altitude penetration fighter, and was powered by a Pratt & Whitney TF 306 turbofan engine. It flew for the first time on 12 June 1966.

Concurrently with work on the Mirage F2 Dassault also developed, as a private venture, a much smaller single-seat aircraft, the Mirage F1, with a SNECMA Atar 09K turbojet engine.

Dassault Mirage F1 (01 c/n 01) (Johan Visschedijk Collection)

The prototype Mirage F1-01 flew for the first time on December 23, 1966. It exceeded Mach 2 during its fourth flight on January 7, 1967, landing afterwards at 138 mph (222 kmh). It was lost in a fatal accident on May 18, 1967.

In September 1967, three pre-series F1 aircraft and a structural test airframe were ordered by the French government. The first pre-series aircraft, the Mirage F1-02 (top of page), reached Mach 1.15 during its first flight on March 20, 1969, and Mach 2.03 during its third test flight on March 24. It was also subjected to accelerations of up to 5 g at a speed of Mach 1.8. This aircraft was powered by an Atar 09K-31 turbojet engine developing 14,770 lb (6,700 kg) st with afterburning.

The Mirage F1 at the top of page is pictured in the air defense configuration, with Sidewinders at the wing tips and under the wing 317 gal (1,200 l) fuel tanks."