Mirage IIIE 3-XT "50 years EC 3/3 Ardennes 1993"

The squadron "Ardennes" was officially born in October 1943 in Lebanon, as a FAFL (Free French) squadron with an endowment of some Hurricanes IIC from the Royal Air Force, then equipped with P-47 from August 1944 until 1946.

The squadron flew on F-84F (1953-57), Mirage VF (1974-77), Jaguar (1977-1987), then on Mirage IIIE for penetration missions until 1994, the EC 3/3 "Ardennes" was the last French squadron flying with IIIE, when been converted to Mirage 2000D that same year

With the colors of wild boars from the 1st and 2nd "Blue" and "Red" badges*, the Mirage IIIE n ° 491 3-XT was painted to commemorate the 50th anniversary of EC 3/3 "Ardennes" in Nancy in 1993, it was the last French Mirage III to be specially decorated. (*A third badge "Green" will be created in 1996, with the traditions of the BR44)