One of the first African Mirage 5 pilots made his ultimate flight

Famous Congolese pilot Col. Jean Louis M’pele M’pele (on the left on the photo above), who flew for the Zairian air force, passed away on Nov. 12, 2017. M’pele was one of the first African pilots to fly the French-made Dassault Mirage 5.

Zaire, now called Democratic Republic of Congo, was only the second country in Africa – after South Africa with the Mirage III – to purchase the Dassault delta-wing fighter jet. But the Mach-two plane wasn’t well-suited to the Central African theater and its weather, and never really met Zaire’s needs.

Jean Louis M’pele M’pele Flew Congo’s Hot-Rod French Fighter

My publication in January

This month, I published in issue 18 of The Aviation Historian magazine about the story of Dassault Mirage in Zairian Air Force (FAZA). These aircraft were often piloted by French instructor for training Zairian, but also for attack missions, notably during the second Shaba war in 1978 (or Kolwezi crisis).

Complément à l'article d'AIR FAN sur les Mirage zaïrois

Pour compléter l'article publié dans le magazine AIR FAN n°437 d'avril, voici deux vidéos extraites des journaux télévisés français du 22 mai 1978 (TF1 et Antenne 2). Un Mirage 5DM s'apprête à décoller de la base de Kamina pour une mission d'appui aux légionnaires du 2ème REP à Kolwezi. Il est piloté par le français Jean-Pierre Fartek (casque blanc) qui a pour co-pilote le Major Luamba reconnaissable à son casque vert.

To complete the article published in April issue of AIR FAN No. 437, below are two videos extracted from the French TV news on May, 22, 1978 (TF1 and Antenne 2). One Mirage 5DM prepares to take off from Kamina base for a support mission to the legionaries of the 2nd REP in Kolwezi. It is piloted by the French Jean-Pierre Fartek (white helmet), with co-pilot Major Luamba recognizable by its green helmet.

My publications in April

This month, I published two articles. First one  in issue 437 of AIR FAN French magazine about the story of Zairian Mirage 5M/DM. These aircraft were often piloted by French instructor for training Zairian, but also for attack missions, notably during the second Shaba war in 1978 (or Kolwezi crisis). The second article is published in April issue of Combat Aircraft Monthly. I draw up the order of battle of Iraqi Air Force and Iraqi Army Aviation. Ce mois-ci, je publie deux articles. Le premier dans le n°437 du magazine AIR FAN sur l'histoire des Mirage 5M/DM zaïrois. Ces avions étaient souvent pilotés par des instructeurs français pour la formation des zaïrois, mais aussi pour des missions d'attaque, notamment lors de la seconde guerre du Shaba en 1978 (ou crise de Kolwezi). Le second article est publié dans le numéro d'avril de Combat Aircraft Monthly. J'y établie l'ordre de bataille de la Force Aérienne Irakienne (IQAF) et de l'Iraqi Army Aviation (ALAT).