Mirage F1CZ: Desert Mirage

[WalletWorrier]

The Mirage F1CZ was a South African variant of the Mirage F1C. While the aircraft itself was largely identical to its French counterpart, the armament would be dramatically different from the F1C in-game, as South Africa never operated the Magic II nor 530 Super. Instead, the F1CZ was armed with the domestic V3A/B as well as R530s, Magic Is, and V3Ss (Python 3), plus various bombs and rockets. South Africa was the first export customer of the F1, with 16 F1CZs and 32 F1AZs purchased in 1975, both serving in the Rhodesian Bush War and being retired in 1993 and 1997 respectively.

Would you like to see this aircraft added to the game?

• Yes
• No

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History

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A Brief History of the Mirage F1C
The Mirage F1 was designed to replace the Mirage III. Development began in 1964, with the Mirage F1 being a smaller, lighter, cheaper counterpart to the Mirage F2, the Mirage F2 being a smaller, lighter, cheaper counterpart to swing-wing the Mirage G8. The F2 and G8 were both twin-seat strike aircraft, while the F1 was a single-seat multirole aircraft. Additionally, there was a larger sing-seat interceptor based on the F2 designated the F3. Only the F1, the smallest and cheapest aircraft, would be selected for production. While the French Air Force also expressed interest in the F3 to fill the need for an interceptor, it was decided the F1 had better export potential, and it would be ordered as a stopgap for the French Air Force until the completion of the Anglo-French Variable Geometry programme. The first F1 prototype took flight in 1966. Earlier that year, France withdrew from the AFVG programme. The AFVG would eventually result in the Panavia Tornado. The Mirage F1C (for chasse, fighter) entered service in 1974. It was comparable in size to the Mirage III, but with greatly improved performance In addition to the new wing design, the F1 had a more powerful and efficient engine, and a substantially upgraded Cyrano-IV radar.

The Mirage F1 and its big brother the F2

South Africa’s Mirages
The F1 was not South Africa’s first Mirage. The South African Air Force was an early adopter of the Mirage III, with first deliveries in 1962. South Africa operated versions of every major variant of the Mirage III- 3 BZs, 16CZs, 3 DZs, 11D2Zs, 17EZs, 4 RZs, and 4 R2Zs for a total of 58 aircraft. Interestingly, this meant that South Africa was one of only four nations to operate a version of the Mirage IIIC, alongside France, Israel, and Argentina. The Mirage IIIs served in the Bush War. In 1971, the SAAF began searching for a potential replacement for the fleet of Mirage IIIs, and the under-development F1 was an obvious choice. In June that year, an agreement was reached for South Africa to purchase a small number of F1s, followed by license-production of around 100 aircraft and engines. The latter part of this deal would fall through in 1977 with UN Resolution 418, but in 1975 and 1976 delivery of 16 F1CZs and 32 F1AZs was completed. Deliveries were rushed to beat the arms embargo, which resulted in maintenance and reliability issues early on, but also made South Africa the first foreign operator of the F1.

South Africa operated significant numbers of Mirage IIIs, which the F1s were intended to replace. Instead the Mirage IIIs would only truly be replaced by the Cheetahs

In Service
The F1CZ entered service in mid 1975. They were equipped identically to the French F1C, with R530s and the new R550. Both the F1CZ and F1AZ were highly classified at the time. The Mirage F1 's combat debut came in November 1978 when F1CZs began escorting flights of Mirage IIIRZs over southern Angola. While intended as an interceptor, reliability issues of the F1AZ meant that the F1CZ instead began to be used for ground strike from 1979. The F1CZ would have it first interception mission in November 1981, with a pair of F1CZs intercepting a pair of MiG-21MFs, shooting down one in the first SAAF air kill since the Korean War. From 1982, interception missions became more common due to the issues with the F1AZ being resolved. During the Bush War, the F1CZ only scored one other kill, against a Mi-8 helicopter. F1CZs critically damaged several MiG-21MFs, but all managed to return safely to base.
From 1987, Cuba began fielding MiG-23MLs which were considerably more dangerous than the MiG-21MFs. On 27th September 1987, F1CZ no. 206, flown by a Captian Arthur Douglas Piercy, was hit by an R-60 fired from an ML. After a hard and fast landing where the aircraft overshot the runway and crashed through a fence, 206 was written off for scrap. This was the only F1CZ lost in combat, though three more were lost in accidents. With the appearance of the MiG-23, F1CZ operations decreased significantly. The idea was to keep the F1CZs grounded as a deterrent that could react at any time, without actually sending them out to potentially be destroyed. The F1CZs would be retired in 1992 though some stayed in service as testbeds until 1993.

Capt. Piercy’s F1CZ, 206. Piercy survived but the crash but was left wheelchair-bound

South African Upgrades
Starting in 1984, an upgrade program was launched for the F1s to improve their defensive capabilities. These upgrades were rolled out quickly for the F1AZs, but much more slowly for the F1CZs and not all were upgraded. The F1CZ upgrade program introduced two new systems- the Compact Radar Warning System (CRWS) and Radar and Infrared Misleading System (RIMS).
The CRWS replaced the old BF RWR with an advanced digital one providing 360 degree coverage with launch indication and a range of 0.5 to 18 GHz (C-J NATO bands).
The RIMS introduced countermeasure dispensors. Initially, these were mounted underwing inboard of the armament hardpoints. This instillation was unpopular with pilots as it greatly increased drag. Later, new “Mk II” (name I’m making up for clarity) RIMS dispensers were developed which were fitted into new ventral fins with a negligible impact on flight performance.

The RIMS “Mk II” dispensers within the ventral fins. Before RIMS, the F1s had no countermeasures! Each fin carries three cartridges of five flares or 10 chaff each

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Specifications

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Airframe
Length: 15.25m
Span: 8.44m
Wing Area: 25.1m^2
Height: 4.49m
Crew: 1
Empty Weight: 7,845kg
Loaded Weight: 11,482kg
MTOW: 15,000kg

Propulsion
1x SNECMA Atar 9K50
Max Thrust (dry, static): 47.70kN
Max Thrust (afterburner, static): 68.30kN
Max TWR (static): 0.89
Internal Fuel: 4,300L
External Fuel: 3x 1,155L drop tanks

Flight Performance
*Performance values likely at full combat load
Max Speed (6km): 1,389km/h (Mach 1.22)
Max Speed (sea level): 1,296km/h (Mach 1.05)
Max Speed: Mach 2.10
Max Load: -3/+7.2g
Ceiling: 15.24km

Armament
Built-in:
2x 30mm DEFA 553 revolver cannon
135rpg (270 total)

Fuselage hardpoint x1:
1x or 4x Mk 81 250lb bomb
1x or 4x Mk 82 500lb bomb
1x or 4x GP Mk 10 1000lb bomb (H.E. M.C. Mk.13?)
1x R530 SARH missile*
*not mentioned in any secondary sources, likely not used on this hardpoint. But, manual mentions in relation to emergency procedures
1x 1,155L drop tank

Inner wing hardpoint x2:

RIMS "Mk I" countermeasure pod

Countermeasure pod, likely not used in combat. Manual states each pod has 8 cartridges of either 5 flares of 10 chaff. Unsure how 8 cartridges are divided among three identical bays. Perhaps it is simply a typo and is meant to be 9, 3 per bay? This makes sense geometrically to me.

Middle wing hardpoint x2:
1x Mk 81 250lb bomb
1x Mk 82 500lb bomb
1x GP Mk 10 1000lb bomb (H.E. M.C. Mk.13?)
1x F4 155 rocket pod (18x SNEB)
1x R530 SARH missile
1x 1,155L drop tank

Outer wing hardpoint x2:
1x Mk 81 250lb bomb
1x Mk 82 500lb bomb
1x GP Mk 10 1000lb bomb (H.E. M.C. Mk.13?)
1x F4 155 rocket pod (18x SNEB)

1x V3S "Snake"

SAAF designation for the Python 3, ordered in 1987 due to delays in the V3C Darter programme, entering service in 1989

Wingtip hardpoints x2:

1x V3A

The V3A was an indigenous South African missile based on the V2 (AIM-9B copy) but using tech from the R550. Only 20 were produced before the missile was deemed insufficient and development shifted to the improved V3B. V3As only used for testing on the F1CZ, but it could be a nice stock missile

2.95m long
127mm diameter
73.4kg
Rear-aspect
4km range
30deg FoV
HMS and radar slavable
4g launch limit
12kg Torpex warhead (18kg TNTe)
35g max load

second from top

1x V3B "Kukri"

The V3B was an improved model of the V3A with an upgraded seeker and engine. Several hundred were produced. They were mostly relegated to the F1AZ while the F1CZ used Magics, but both aircraft used both missiles

2.95m long
127mm diameter
74.25kg
Rear-aspect
4km range
34deg FoV
HMS and radar slavable
7g launch limit
12kg Torpex warhead (18kg TNTe)
35g max load

top

1x R550 Magic I

*Quick note on trialed armament:
The F1CZ experimentally mounted both the R-73E and V3C darter. However, neither missile was accepted into service. The addition of either or both of these missiles would dramatically increase the BR of the aircraft, likely to 12.0 or higher. So, they are intentionally excluded from this suggestion in favour of theore balanced in-service armament loads. They could still be added on a separate vehicle, possibly even something like the Super F1.

Avionics
Cyrano-IV radar

CRWS digital RWR
360 degree coverage
C-J band
launch indication

RIMS countermeasures dispenser
6x cartridges of 5x flare or 10x chaff each

Cat’s Eye HMAS

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The Mirage F1CZ in-game

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Britain currently lacks any tech tree fighters between 10.7 and 12.0. The Mirage F1CZ could be a great addition to fill that gap at a BR of 11.3. It would feature excellent avionics and short-range armament and decent flight performance. Its HMD in particular would be a quite unique feature at the BR. However, it would lack BVR capability.

Pros

• Advanced and powerful MTI radar
• Excellent IR missiles
• Advanced RWR
• HMAS!
• Option between more countermeasures or less drag
• R530 technically allows for BVR
• Great energy retention

Cons

• R530s largely useless
• Not the greatest dogfighter
• Limited countermeasures without suspended pods

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Gallery

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The prototype F1CZ (labelled simply as an F1C) at the 1975 Paris Airshow

F1CZs were initially painted in a desert camo with light underbelly and high-vis markings

This was later replaced with a low-vis 3-tone camo

And the final scheme reintroduced the false tail and canopy initially removed for the low-vis camo

During training exercises “red team” F1CZs would receive bright white noses and horizontal stabilizers

The F1CZs were initially armed with R530s and R550s. The R530 was not used in combat due to its large size and low effectiveness

Standard air-to-air load late in the F1CZs’ service was a pair each of Snakes and Magics. This is likely to also be the player favourite armament load

While the V3B was primarily reserved for the F1AZ, the F1CZ did occasionally carry them

With SNEBs and Magics

F1CZ with its maximum bomb load of 8x1000lb

F1CZ internals. Note the PDF scan is slighlty misaligned resulting in the duplication of part of the aircraft’s middle

Location of the CRWS components

Inside the cockpit

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Sources

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1F-F1K50CZ-1-1 Flight Manual, Aircraft Operating Instructions, Mirage F1CZ
1F-F1K50AZ-1-1 Flight Manual, Aircraft Operating Instructions, Mirage F1AZ (more detailed RIMS info)
“Dassault Mirage F1 is South African Air Force Service, Vol. 1-3”- Malcom Reid
“Dassault Mirage III is South African Air Force Service, Vol. 1”-Malcom Reid
Mirage F1 in SAAF Service by Paul Dubois
Dassault Mirage F1

[PlayedStatue626-live]

+1 but it won’t let me vote

(Edit:all good now)

[AblativeKitten]

+1 While I’d prefer their Mirage III, more SAAF aircraft is always welcome!

[PlayedStatue626-live]

Honestly surprised how underutilised South Africa is in Aviation (not sure what they can offer in naval though).

[Thomas_Belgium]

I reeeeealy want this airplane! +1

We need a lot more SAAF aircraft!

[AblativeKitten]

@PlayedStatue626-live

not sure what they can offer in naval though

Not really anything wildly new, but some decent gap fillers and premium/event fodder in the early blue water and the coastal trees

• Type-12M Frigates (Similar to the Type-12 Whitby Class and Type-41 Leopard Class already in game)
• River Class Frigates
• Loch Class Frigates (Derivatives of the River Class)
• A pair of W class Destroyers
• Warrior Class Fast Attack Craft/Gun boats with 2x76mm or 1x76mm
  There’s some modern things too, but the game is faaaarrr from them being introduced

[iboopy]

This would be perfect to fill in rank 7 britain, +1

[PlayedStatue626-live]

@AblativeKitten

Warrior Class Fast Attack Craft/Gun boats with 2x76mm or 1x76mm

This peaked my interest (hopefully we see both configs)

[FlyingOstridge]

@WalletWorrier

1x GP Mk 10 1000lb bomb (H.E. M.C. Mk.13?)

You’re close in that they are both of the same family. Only Differences were fillings. The Mk 13 had an RDX filling whereas the Mk 10 had a few different fillings

[SoyBeanInhaler]

Wasn’t there that proposed upgrade for South African F1Cs with Russian engines and a bunch of other stuff? Forgot what that was called or if it even happened but if any of the upgrades were carried out would make a unique plane.

Anyway would love to see more unique south African aircraft (this is technically unique being SA export specific). Would love to see the cheetah one day

[AblativeKitten]

cough

Super mirage F1 the dart aiming to pierce the sun

poll I would like to propose the implementation of the Super Mirage F1, a modification of the well-known French multirole fighter, the Mirage F1. This version boasts an improved engine, a new HUD, and access to advanced weaponry. [image] HISTORY The story of this plane began in 2004 when AEROSUD purchased the remaining South African Mirage F1AZs. The intent was to upgrade them to remain relevant in the skies of the 2000s. To achieve this, a collaboration was established with Marvotech, which…

[Sea_Harrier_FRS1]

On the day of my Birthday party!!! Also +10000 for my favorite Mirage variant. Looking forward to using Cat Eye as well

[SirinKaslana]

Considering that we have the Mig-21 Bison, this could be a fun event vehicle for Britain ngl.

[Sea_Harrier_FRS1]

Noooooooooo!!!

[AblativeKitten]

As long as we get TT SAAF aircraft lmao

[SirinKaslana]

I can’t think of any place it can sit as there were only two aircraft built with this upgrade lol

@AblativeKitten

As long as we get TT SAAF aircraft lmao

For that I would love to see our Cheetahs or the Impalas. But actually just give them all to us lol
But I definitely want to see the Cheetah C.

[Sea_Harrier_FRS1]

As a second Squadron or premium or even TT but I can’t handle having to hand out however much money to get my favourite SA jet

[SirinKaslana]

Our normal F1s will probably sit at 12.0 and 12.3 respectively if they get their Darters.

[WalletWorrier]

Note that the F1CZ didn’t use V3C except for post-retirement testing