SNCASE SE.535 MISTRAL

A major user of the Vampire was the French Government, which was in urgent need of suitable combat aircraft to build up its depleted postwar air force. The Vampire proved ideal for the task, and the agreement including licence production and development by SNCA Sud-Est was reached in the spring of 1949. While production plans were being made some 76 Mk 5s were supplied from RAF stocks. and the initial licence-built version known as the FB Mk 51 made its maiden flight from Marignane on 27 January 1950. The production lines maintained a high rate from the start, because de Havilland supplied major assemblies initially, followed by unequipped components, and finally detailed parts until full licence production was established. This resulted in a production rate of 10 aircraft per month only seven months after the first delivery. The Rolls-Royce Nene engine was already in production in France, and it was decided to adapt the Vampire to this power plant. Improvements were made to the original de Havilland-designed Mk 2 by deleting the extra air intakes on top of the fuselage and refining the wing-root intakes. Further development by SNCASE left only the forward fuselage, the tail booms and tailplane common to the British version, the new 'Mistral' also having an ejector seat. The first production Mistral made its maiden flight at the end of 1951, achieving a maximum speed at sea level of 578 mph, 50 mph faster than the standard Mk 5. A total of 183 Vampires and 250 Mistrals were produced under licence in France, replacing F-47Ds with 4e Escadre in 1951, followed by 3e, 5e, and 7e Escadres, until Ouragons began to enter service in 1954.

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