Kremlin wrote:
Can anybody shed some light on these gaps ? Code letetrs as displayed on the Mirage IIICZ's natural metal delivery scheme. I've also seen "F" , "N" & "Z", but am unable to make out the aircraft serial no's. They don't seem to have any order or follow any pattern.
800 - red "A"
801 - red "B"
802 - red "L"
803 - red "S"
804 - red "D"
805 - red "E"
806 - red "F"
807 - red "G"
808 - ?
809 - ?
810 - red "K"
811 - ?
812 - ?
813 - red "P"
814 - red "O"
815 - ?
From John Boardman;
Quote:
Regarding this aircraft it is No 800 "A". Mir 801 was "B" , Mir 802 was "L", Mir 803 was "S", Mir 804 was "C" ?? - crazy but true.
The reason for this "odd" allocation of alphabetical letters (802 & 803)is as follows.
Mirages 800 & 801 were delivered to us in France for use on the conversion course and numbered A & B.
Mir 802 & 803 were the first ones delivered to the RSA. Cliff Melville then took the decision to allocate aircraft to pilots at the squadron as they were delivered. He then selected the letter "L" for 802 ( he called his wife Lucy), I was then allocated 803 and chose the letter "S" - Why "S" - very logical, I had two girlfriends at that time, the one's Christian name started with a "S" and the other one's Surname also started with a "S".
Then sanity prevailed and AFHQ promptly put a halt to this ad-hoc numbering system.
Only missing four codes now.