MIRAGE IIIDS HB-RDF FINAL FLIGHT
Federal Office of Civil Aviation, the Swiss civil aviation agency has not extended the flight permit of HB-RDF (ex J-2012), the only privately operated Mirage IIIDS in the world. However, the Clin d'ailes Payerne has been granted a one-day exemption to fly the Mirage one final time.
The ex-Swiss Air Force Dassault Mirage IIIDS HB-RDF (ex J-2012) is considered the only, privately flying Mirage III in the world. The Mirage IIIDS is a two-seat trainer version of the IIIS single-seat all-weather interceptor fighter based on the IIIC and built under licence in Switzerland. Unlike single-seaters, two-seaters were not equipped with radar. Their weapons were two 30 mm guns, two infrared air-to-air rockets, as well as chaffs and flares.
HB-RDF Touching down with another happy passenger
The Dassault Mirage III is a family of single/dual-seat, single-engine, fighter aircraft developed and manufactured by French aircraft company Dassault Aviation. It was the first Western European combat aircraft to exceed Mach 2 in horizontal flight, a feat which was achieved on October 24 1958, the English Electric Lightning achieving it on November 25 1958.
The J-2012 was taken on strength with the Swiss Air Force in 1983 and performed its last flight in the Swiss Air Force service in December 2003, flying from Buochs to Payerne. In 2005 it was offered to Clin d'Ailes and after 3 years of refurbishment and efforts to obtain the certification the J-2012 took off again in 2008 this time under a civilian registration HB-RDF.
HB-RDF together with the HB-RSC Super Connie
Besides displaying at airshows HB-RDF was also available for passenger flights for the members of Espace Passion association with prices around €14,000 for a 40/50 minute flight.
Unfortunately, due to the age of the engine and certain parts, the flight permit by the Federal Office of Civil Aviation, the Swiss civil aviation agency, was no longer extended. The entire 2023 flight campaign including passenger flights and air displays was thus cancelled ending the 15 years of private Mirage III operations in Europe. The French Luxeuil Air Show 2021 was the last opportunity to see the HB-RDF fly at an airshow.
The Clin d'ailes Payerne has been granted a one-day exemption to fly the Mirage one final time. On the 25th of May, the HB-RDF will perform the last two farewell flights before being permanently grounded. At this stage, it is unclear what will happen to her following the final flights but more than likely she will be transferred to a museum where she will be on permanent static display.
