1964...

[Archibald]

Mirage IIIE and Mirage IV launched many attacks against the f... Paul doumer bridge. In this case, the americans were happy to have the french fighting with them...because they had build the bridge, and perfectly knew the structure!!
The bridge was finnally destroyed on 10th may 1972 by Phantoms with LGB.
Mirage IV and Vigilantes flew dangerous recon missions over north vietnam. The two planes had similar abilities in the recon role...both could dodge Phantom or Mirage IIIC escorting them!!! They also totally outranned the MiG-21. At one time, a MiG-21 was behind a Mirage IV at high height; the Mirage pilot just started a slight turn, and the MiG-21 lost contact.

E-1Bs were gradually transfered from the USN to the Aeronavale. 10 second-hand Tracers were adopted by the french. 4F and 6F squadrons exchanged their Alizés for the Tracer in 1970. Even if the Tracer had some weaknesses, it was much better than the Alizé in the AEW role...

[Archibald]

In 1970, France bought 10 surplus E-1B Tracers from the USN. The E-2 was much better but it was totally unable to operate from the Foch and Clemenceau. More, it was a very expensive and sensitive aircraft to operate. So second hand tracers were bought...and this prove to be a good choice. These planes had some serious limitations but were nevertheless the first real AEW aircraft to operate from the french carriers. The planes achieved their operational lives in 1989, and a replacement was needed. At the time, the French navy really wanted the Hawkeye, but this time the CDG was too late (not until 2000). So new E-1B were taken out of storage at Davis Monthan, and a vast upgrade was launched. First, modern turboprops were adopted. At first, a modification similar to the Turbo-tracker was envisaged, but these turborpops were insufficient for the heavier
E-1B. So P&W Canada PW-119 were adopted, with 1900hp instead of 1650. This boosted the performances of the E-1C (as it was now known).
These engines were quite similar to those of the Canadair CL-415, albeit less powerfull (PW-123 with 2400hp for the canadian plane).
An APS-138 radar was installed...
The plane replaced the E-1B in the 4F and 6F squadrons in 1992...

Mach2 has an E-1B available. Heller have the CL-415 turboprops, and E-2 markings... some surgery, and you have a Tracer in French aeronavale markings...
My project for next month!!!! Stay tunned...  

[Archibald]

Glanini, are you interested? What you said about profiles is very interesting
(but I guess you're a buzzy man )
Well If you can found a moment I would be glad if you could make some profiles concerning this story (particularly of E-1B in Aeronavale Markings, with pistons-engines and then turboprops)