Zéphyr Editions LES FORCES AERIENNES  STRATEGIQUES

 50 ANS d’alerte nucleaire

 The F.A.S = FORCES AERIENNES STRATEGIQUES  =   FRENCH STRATEGIC AIR FORCE.  The Anniversary for the deterrence component was 50 years in 2014.  

French Author and Photograph, Alexandre Paringuaux is well known for its work and publications covering the French Air Force. The book is a testimony for the past and future. MIRAGE 2000N + RAFALE + C-135FR are the actors over the planet. History via pictures , missions and all men  in the secret air wings.

This  n°3 volume is important  and magnificent done.

Theses 144 pages display  29 b/w pictures and 443 color pictures. Images vary in size and are either portrait or landscape according to subject, the quality is first rate, a trade mark of Zephyr editions productions.

Except the traditional forewords and thanks the book is divided in 10 chapters :

Chapter one ORIGIN of F.A.S

The first 29 pages cover both the ground installations and aircrafts evolution  the MIRAGE IV was a “tool” and SSBS and caverns were the other spearhead. The

Chapter two F.A.S today

The next 5 pages cover a summary before deep in the different subjects.

Chapter three OPERATIONNAL CENTER

The following 5 pages are the heart of the cavern near Taverny.

Chapter four REFUELING IN AIR by ESCADRON

 15 pages display the important function. C-135 boeing are the backbone of the strategic air. Here is the daily routine in and out of the hangar, a real first rate documentation for enthusiasts.

Chapter five TECHNICAL SUPPORT UNIT

 7 pages display the men (and women) at work.CFM 56 turbo fan, the boom, refuelling drogue....

Chapter six FIGHTER SQUADRON 2/4 LAFAYETTE

15 pages display the daily duty activity on ground and in the air. Humans and “heavy metal”. The mirage 2000N is the second type of aircraft of the arsenal, a old generation in Dassault witch carry the ASMP-A. A good aircraft in rank.

Chapter seven FIGHTER SQUADRON 1/91 GASCOGNE

15 pages display as the above chapter this other squadron and the last generation aircraft , the Dassault RAFALE. These 2 chapters have “gold mine” pictures for historian and plastic modellers! Activity is well coverted.

Chapter eight “POKER” operation

6 pages.  20 Air-to-air pictures about the components

Chapter nine RAFALE MECANIC

2 pages. The ESTA 15/007  (technical support squadron).

 Chapter ten YEARS, 50 PICTURES

37 pages. A  heart of the book. A retrospective about the anniversary. B-26, sncaso VAUOUR, MIRAGE IV (the “king”), MIRAGE 2000, S2 missile,K-135,RAFALE.

This superb book is a good value for lovers of the blue-white-red roundel, historians and modellers. I recommend you without hesitation.

 Jean Paul POISSEROUX

June 2015

Many thanks to ZEPHYR EDITIONS  for supplying the book for review

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