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The development of
the Etendard go's back to the early 50's.
Based on experience gained during the Korean war (1950-53),French authorities drew up specifications for a light interceptor.
This definition was rapidly assimilated into a programme for a light tactical bomber that could
also fulfil an air superiority mission. At the same time, NATO published its requirements for the
LWTSF (Light Weight Tactical Strike Fighter). In response, the Dassault company presented its
Mirage and Etendard aircraft.
To meet the needs of both national and NATO programmes, Dassault carried over the aerodynamic design of its
Super-Mystere, applying it to smaller aircraft equipped with power plants that could reach transonic speeds without afterburners.
This led to the design of the Mystere XXII (Etendard II), Mystere XXIV (Etendard IV) and Mystere
XXVI (Etendard VI), developments that were remarkable for improving lift so that takeoff and
landing became possible at reduced speeds.
In this contest for a land based light tactical bomber the Fiat G91whas the winner and since the French Navy
was looking for a similar aircraft Dassault developed an naval version of the Etendard IV.
The first Etendard IV-01 flew on 24th July 1956.
The Etendard IV M was the first naval aircraft developed by Dassault. The Etendard IVM made its maiden flight 21st May 1958
at Melun-Villaroche (the Seine et Marne region of France), with Jean-Marie Saget at the controls.
The default "Etendard IVM" is a single-engine jet aircraft. The fuselage is tall and narrow with
a two piece canopy and a swept triangular tail fin. A semicircular air intake is located on either side of the fuselage. And single engine exhaust
is located in the rear of the fuselage. Low set wings are swept with slightly rounded tips.
Tail plane is swept and is set higher than the wings. Landing gear with nose wheel is
retractable. Nose gear is taller than the main gear and thus "Etendard"'s nose is raised when
it's on the ground. First prototypes of "Etendard IV" flew in 1956.
"Etendard" IVM is the Navy version and went in production in 1958. "Etendard"
IVP is the reconnaissance version and is fitted with "Russel" air
refuelling system. It went in production in 196.
Between 1961 and 1965, the French Navy took delivery of 69
Etendard IV M's and 21 Etendard IV P's. The Etendard IV M continued in service in the French
Navy until July 1991 with 59S at Hyeres. These aircraft logged a total of 180,000 flying hours and made 25,300 carrier
landings. And ended its service with 16F at Landivisiau.
The seventh prototype of the Etendard IV ,the last of the pre production
series was fitted as a reconnaissance version. The Etendard IVP has no armament but is completely fitted for the reconnaissance role. It has
fife OMERA camera's in the nose and is also capable to carry a reconnence's pod on the central
pylon. The aircraft is also fitted with a refuelling probe The reconnaissance system consisted off:
In the nosecone one Omera 31 (200mm) camera ore a video camera and two oblique Omera 31s
cameras' having either a 150mm or 200 mm lens Under the fuselage is a semi recessed pod containing three 600 mm long-range optical cameras'
and various internal reconnaissance systems. The Etendard IVP also has the
capability for air to air refuelling with the Douglas "buddy" type house pod on the fuselage
centreline. In practice this task wsa done by de Super Etendard.
The total order for Etendard IVP places in the 60 th was 22 aircraft. Sins there was no
replacement order for the reconnaissance version when the Super Etendard
was ordered. Therefore a additional four Etendard IVM where converted to IVMP to
compensated the peacetime losses. All aircraft have serviced with 16F. First from Istres and in 1969 they moved to
Landivisiau. It is also known that two aircraft (07 and 112)have serviced
with 59S.
In the course of its service the Etendard IVP
underwent several modification programs one of the
last was a life extant ion program in the early 90s. Witch improved the navigation and self-defence capability.
It was fitted with a improved instrument panel, the UNI40 internal navigation
system and DRAX 16 radar warning receiver, and equipped to carry a asymmetric load.
The self-defence capability was enhanced by, Barracuda yammer, Phimat chaff/flare
dispenser, Matra magic2 heat seeking missile and identification friend or foe system IFF mode 4.
The first conflict the Etendard IVP saw action was in Lebanon in September
1963 in this conflict one Etendard IVP was hit by a Sam 6 but was able to radge the carrier
whiteout any problem. One of the last conflicts the Etendard IVP saw action in was during operation Balbuzard over
former Yugoslavia. During this operation two Etendard IVP where hit by enemy fire .
The best known of these was Etendard IVP 115 flown by CC Clarsy commanding officer off 16F. Hi
was hit by a surface to air missile and even whit severe damaged to the tail and
whiteout flaps e was able to return home. Both aircraft where repaired and are currently serving with 16F.
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