Dassault Ouragan
Bat-Hefer, Israel: IsraDecal Publications, 2009
Category: Israel Air Force - History / Photo Gallery
Rating: 3-Stars
The Dassault Ouragan was the jet fighter that the Israeli air force never planned on. Originally proposed as a stop-gap measure while France sorted through their development problems with the Mystere II (eventually producing the Mystere IV), the Ouragan became the principal IDF strike aircraft and operational trainer throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Unlike most other aircraft in the IDF, the Mystere was never loved by its pilots, even when it was first introduced. From the very beginning, it was out-classed by competitors flown among Israel's neighbors and within short order, by other aircraft within the IDF itself. Nonetheless, the Ouragan played an important, vitally needed role in Israel's order of battle, providing the close air support that Israel's front line troops relied upon.
Relative to many of the other books put out by IsraDecal, the volume on the Ouragan contains less text and fewer pilot interviews - which was why I had to rank it a little lower than some of their other publications. The photography selection, however, is excellent, with a broad cross-section of vintage images, as well as color profiles from the various aircraft and squadrons. Two squadrons eventually flew the Ouragan: the 113th and 107th. The 113th was the Israeli air force's operational training unit, serving a dual role as both a training organization and providing close air support.
In total, not a bad book, although I would have liked to have seen a little broader perspective coming across in the text. For someone who's looking for a complete record of Israeli air force aircraft and squadron operations, the book is still a worthwhile addition to add to their overall library.
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