Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>Mirage 2000>HA1609

General Background

The Dassault Mirage 2000 was developed as a replacement for the Mirage III and F1. Although it was a replacement it borrowed heavily from the Mirage III delta wing design. The F1 had lost out to the F-16 as the main fighter for the Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark and Norway Air Forces but the new Mirage 2000 had become a viable option for about 10 other Air Forces. The Mirage 2000C interceptor was the first version to enter operational service in 1984 on the 50th anniversary of the French Air Force.

The Aircraft

In 1992, France announced that it would offer Dassault Mirage 2000-5 fighters to Taiwan and the program was given the codename "Fei Lung" (Flying Dragon).

A total of 60 Mirage 2000s were purchased and the first batch of 5 aircrafts arrived in Taiwan by sea in 1997. The last ROCAF Mirage 2000-5 was delivered in an official ceremony on 11/26/1998.

All Mirage 2000-5s are operated by the 499th TFW at Hsinchu AB.

Specifications :

Wing Span:	29.9 ft
Length:	47 ft
Combat weight:	21,000 lbs.
Maximum thrust of the SNECMA M53-P2:	98 kN
Two versions:	single and twin-seaterr
Internal weapons (single-seater):	2 X 30 mm guns
Store stations:	9
Maximum take off weight:	38,500 lbs.
Fixed (removable) probe for in-flight refueling:	Buddy-Buddy capability
Maximum Mach number:	Mach 2.2+
Approach speed:	140 Kts
Maximum climbing speed:	60,000 ft/min
Time to climb to 36,000 ft/Mach1.8:	5 min
Operational ceiling	55,000 ft
Loiter time at 150 N.M. from the base at Mach 0.8/25,000 ft*:	2hr 40 min
Range / combat at M 0.8/15,000 ft**:	830 N.M.
Turn Around Time (Refueling and 6 Air to Air reloading):	15 min * 3 external tanks + 6 MICA.
	** 6 Mica, external tanks dropped prior to combat.
Availability in war time (Kosovo):	100%
These specs are from the Dassault Aviation site