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.