Hobby Master 1/72 Mirage IIIE 4-BB Squadron EC 2/4 French Air Force 1967

The Armee de l'Air's Escadron de Chasse 1/4 "Dauphine" began converting from the Republic F-84F Thunderstreak to the Dassault Mirage IIIE in late 1966, becoming fully operational with the new fighter during 1967 at BA 116 Luxeuil-Saint-Sauveur. Initially tasked with air defense and interception missions, the squadron quickly integrated the Mirage IIIE's advanced navigation and attack capabilities while maintaining NATO quick reaction alert duties. By the end of 1967, the wing had received its full complement of aircraft, including examples finished in the new green-and-gray camouflage replacing the earlier natural metal finish. The Mirage IIIE would remain the squadron's primary aircraft for more than two decades before being replaced by the Mirage 2000N in 1988.