Guillemin, Sébastien/Petit, Claude/Préfontain, Patrick Vinot Vampire et Mikstral Francais. Volume 1

During the war, France had stayed away from the technological revolution that constituted propulsion by reaction. A considerable industrial and financial effort would make it possible to catch up in a few years and to see the emergence of Dassault's products. But before the program came to fruition, the Air Force had to learn all about this new mode of propulsion and its consequences for pilotage, maintenance, and combat procedures. It is a product of the British industry, the de Havilland DH.100 "Vampire", which is chosen to ensure this mutation and radically modernize the hunting units. Some are delivered whole, coming from the RAF, the others being built under license in Marignane. The mastery of this manufacture will allow the SNCASE to develop a more powerful version, the SE.532/535 "Mistral", used in the Algerian theater of operations. Upgraded in the mid-1950s, these unique-looking hunters allowed the French forces to enter the era of combat jets, but no book has so far traced the career, as they were numerous and widespread. The three authors, backed by a large network of friends, took up this challenge and told in detail the history of all the units and departments that had used "Vampire" and "Mistral". Correlatively, the individual career of the 574 aircraft is closely traced. The industrial and operational aspects are not forgotten. The book, presented in two volumes, is based on an iconography of some 1,700 photos and drawings and on the many profiles made by Patrice Gaubert. More than 100 testimonials from the actors of this era show how the beginnings of the jet were exciting ... or dramatic.

The three authors, who were supported by a large network of friends, took up this challenge and tell the story of all the units and divisions that flew the "Vampire" and "Mistral" in detail. The operational life of the 574 aircraft is closely followed. The industrial and operational aspects are not forgotten. The work, published in two volumes, includes around 1700 photos and drawings as well as numerous aircraft profiles by Patrice Gaubert. More than 100 reports from pilots of the time show how exciting or dramatic the beginnings of the current era in the French Air Force were.