FIGHTERS FOR R.A.A.F.

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29334, 13 October 1960, Page 8

FIGHTERS FOR R.A.A.F.

“French Aircraft Recommended” (NJt. Prtss Association—Copyright) MELBOURNE, Oct 12. A Government mission has recommended that the Royal Australian Air Force be equipped with the French Dassault Mirage 111 fighter in preference to the American Lockheed FIO4G, the Melbourne "Age” said today. The newspaper said the Air Board still was considering the mission's recommendation .in favour of the Mirage, and objections were being raised to it but the board was certain to adopt the recommendation. However, the Air Board wanted more information about the French fighter, particularly the cost.

It also wanted to prepare answers to any arguments—especially those based on the need for standardisation—which might be advanced in favour of the Lockheed F-104G, the Starfighter. The "Age" report was carried in a dispatch from its political correspondent in Canberra. The Chief of Air Staff, AirMarshal Sir Frederick Scherger, led the mission, which inspected and test-flew the Mirage and Starfighter earlier this year. The mission was believed to have recommended in favour of the Mirage, mainly because of the aircraft’s superior operational capabilities and lower cost, the “Age” said. But the newspaper said the Air Minister (Mr John Osborne) yesterday denied that the Air Board had accepted the recommendation.