SNCASO Vautour

French Text

Created by SNASCO (Société nationale des constructions aéronautiques du sud-ouest, more commonly known as Sud-Ouest) in response to a program established by the French Air Force General Staff in 1951, the Vautour is a turbojet shoulder-wing monoplane with a swept wing and flying tail. Three versions have been built since its inception: version A, the ground attack monoplane; B, a two-seat bomber; and N, a two-seat all-weather interceptor.

After an inaugural flight in October 1952, the official delivery of the first Vautour was in May 1956; however, by the end of 1958, the initial order of 300 aircraft was reduced to 140 due to budgetary issues. Israel purchased close to thirty aircraft, which were utilized during the six-day war, many of which remained in service until 1972. As for the French, certain aircraft were used in Polynesia during nuclear testing, where they were used to collect radioactive particles present in the air.

Alain Crosnier, a noted specialist in military aviation, brings to light the aircraft and their personnel flying under the French flag. Recognized as much for his originality and the quality of his illustrations as for the accuracy and precision of his writing, Crosnier has dedicated himself to the history and illustrations of modern aviation history.