Mirage Would Be Fit To Fight

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31178, 30 September 1966, Page 14

Mirage Would Be Fit To Fight

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, September 29. Rumours about the price of the Mirage V fighters being considered for the R.N.Z.A.F. were misleading the public, a representative of the Dassault Aircraft Company alleged today.

Mr D. W. Baird, a former group captain and now aviaition manager of Clyde Engineering, Ltd., which acts for Dassault in New Zealand, said false statements about the Mirage were being repeated in aviation circles. “I certainly think the public should be told the truth on such an important issue where defence funds are involved,” he said. Two Others The 1400 m.p.h. Mirage is one of three aircraft being considered as replacements for the R.N.Z.A.F.’s aging Canberra light bombers.

The others are the American Phantom and the Freedom Fighter. Dassault’s, president, Mr B. C. Vallieres', visited Wellington earlier this week to offer a cut price version of the Mirage for less than £400,000 each. “It is being said that this price was for an aircraft with virtually everything stripped out of it,” said Mr Baird. Not Stripped “That is nonsense. The Mirage at the price Mr Vallieres quoted would have everything needed to fly it operationally “Extra optional equipment the Air Force would probably want might put the total cost up by £50,000 to £loo,ooo—it just depends how elaborate they want it to be.” It was being suggested that Mr Vallieres had invented the new low price as a sales trick but this was completely untrue. “The aircraft is complete and ready to fly and fight at that price," said Mr Baird.