Israeli Air Force
| Israeli Air Force and Space | |
|---|---|
 Roundel of the Air Force and Israel Space | |
| Period | 14 May 1948 -Present |
| Country |  Israel |
| Type | Air Force |
| Staff | 34,000 people |
| Part of | IDF |
| Former name | Sherut Avir |
| Equipment | Aircraft , helicopters , drones , intercontinental ballistic missiles (?) |
| Wars | Arab-Israeli war of 1948-1949 Suez Canal Crisis Six Day War Yom Kippur War Israel-Lebanon conflict of 2006 Gaza War of 2008-2009 |
| Battles | Entebbe raid Operation Litani Operation Opera Israeli military intervention in Lebanon, 1982 Operation Wooden Leg Operation Grapes of Wrath |
| Commander | General Ido Nehoshtan |
change  | |
Air Force Space and Israeli or ( Hebrew : is the air component of the IDF. It was established on 14 May 1948.
It is currently one of the most sophisticated and most powerful air forces in the world Origins From 1947 the Sherut Ha'avir, the air wing of the Haganah , looked for air assets to protect settlers and possibly the creation of the new state. She began to recruit pilots, most of which had been trained by the RAF. Then she began to seek ways to acquire airplanes. At the beginning of the war , the Sherut Ha'avir implements five Avron Hanson, two Tiger Moth , three DH-89 Dragon Rapide , two P-51 Mustang , a DWR-13, five C-47 , two Noorduyn Norseman , the Piper Cub. All these aircraft were purchased in smuggling. The first of the 25 S-199 arrives in Israel May 20, 1948. Upon creation of the State of Israel , the Israeli Air Force, established May 16, began work in different planes from different surplus World War II. This motley fleet should be replaced for imperative reasons of cost and logistics. Early 1948, two P-51 Mustang was introduced in Israel in smuggling, because of the embargo imposed at the time by the United States. Both aircraft flew more than thirteen trips during the first week of the Palestine War of 1948. From 1948 to 1961, the Israeli Air Force used more than 34 P-51 Mustang, especially during the Suez crisis in 1956. The first Israeli jets, bought officially, were S.199, Avia version Czechoslovak manufactured by the Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-12, powered by a Junkers Jumo 211F online normally intended for bomber Heinkel 111. The major powers had imposed an embargo on arms sales to the Middle East, but the Czech Republic, who needed foreign currency, has not complied. A contract was signed April 29, 1948 for the delivery of 10 S.199, and more than 15 others, totaling 25 aircraft. The S.199 was not an easy aircraft to fly. Like all versions of the Messerschmitt Bf 109 , it was difficult to take off and landing cycle, because of its landing gear narrow gauge. It required a constant concentration from the driver, especially because of the very high torque generated by the Jumo 211 and its huge three-bladed propeller. Its narrow cockpit caused problems for pilots too big or too big. In addition, these devices, yet delivered almost nine plants by AVIA, had many manufacturing defects, and synchronization of machine guns to cover was poor, the brakes were blocked with disconcerting ease, etc.. The future President of Israel Ezer Weizman flew on this aircraft. These planes were grouped in Squadron 101. Many members of the Haganah had served in the British army in the Middle East during the Second World War , so the Heyl Ha Avir adopted the organization squadrons of the Royal Air Force. On May 29, 1948, the first 5 S.199 were ready for combat on the ground of Ekron, quickly abandoned for that of Herzliya, near Tel Aviv. In the afternoon, and pilots fly their first combat mission. They attack an Egyptian column 30 kilometers south of Tel Aviv. A plane is shot down and another damaged, but the Egyptians retreated. On June 3, 1948, the pilot Modd Allon wins the first victory of the Israeli air force. It intercepts over Tel Aviv two transport aircraft C-47 "Dakota" turned into bomber by the Egyptians. It chases away the escort of Supermarine Spitfires and shot down the two C-47, the first near Holon and the second near Rishon Le Zion. A handful of English twin Bristol Beaufighter was used for ground attack. Transport logistics was provided by several twin-engine transport Curtiss C46 Commando purchased in the U.S. and returned to Israel under the identity of a pseudo Panamanian airline (LAPS). These are planes that smuggled fighters from Czechoslovakia Avia S199. Four B-17 Flying Fortress were also purchased in the same period (early 1948) to the USAF surplus but still contraband. These aircraft took off from the United States, passed through Puerto Rico to fly to Czechoslovakia in June 1948. Three planes arrived in Israel, having first bombarded Cairo, the fourth having been seized by U.S. federal agents in Czechoslovakia. The Supermarine Spitfire were also employed by the Heyl Ha Avir. The first two copies were reconstructed from abandoned by the RAF Spitfire. The first two copies, also participated in the 1948 conflict with the three Spitfires acquired also in Czechoslovakia. 47 more Spitfires were also approved before the end of the war and replaced the S.199. 39 more Spitfires were also purchased in 1949 coming from Italy and Czechoslovakia. Two copies are exposed to the Israeli Air Force Museum, of which 1 is in perfect flying condition. During the war, many foreigners served in the Israeli army and particularly the Air Force, within the program Mahal : Volunteer U.S., British, Canadian, South African, most veterans the Second World War. The armistice was signed in 1949, the Heyl Ha Avir will focus on training these pilots and the acquisition of more modern aircraft. In 1951 France and Israel signed a contract for the acquisition of 67 Mosquitos of different versions. Early 1950s, the Heyl Ha Avir wants to spend in the era of jet. These first jets are 12 Gloster Meteors. Following the signing of the contract the first fighter squadron was formed June 7, 1953 at Ramat David. One of these aircraft shot down two Egyptian Vampires above the Negev on 1 September 1955. The Israeli Air Force is always looking for new aircraft. His choice is the Canadian version of the F-86 and the Mystery IIC. Following the embargo imposed by the Canadians, she turned to France and Marcel Dassault Mystere IIC and the evaluation. But these planes are not ready due to technical problems, and Mystere IV is under development. The initial order is changed Mystre II Mystre IV. Meanwhile Heyl Ha Avir ordered 24 MD-450 Ouragan , which are planes of transition. These Hurricanes are used during the Suez Crisis and killed one Egyptian Vampire. 18 copies of these Hurricanes are then resold in 1975 in El Salvador. In August 1956 she received the first mystery IV receiving the baptism of fire during the Suez crisis, when they shot down a MiG-15 and no later than 4 De Havilland Vampire. All Mystery IV are also involved in the Six Day War but as apparatus supporting soil. In 1957, Israel places an order with the SNCASO 31- SO-4050 Vautour , 19 ground attack aircraft (Vautour II A), 4 Hunters all time (Vautour II N) and 8 bombers (Vautour II B). Some of these devices are modified in order to carry out reconnaissance missions. All units participated in the Six Day War (1967). Vultures are retired from service in 1971. In 1958, the State of Israel ordered 24 Super-Mystre B 2. They participate in the Six Day war in 1967 and Yom Kippur in 1973. In 1977, 18 copies hand Israeli re-engined with U.S. reactors Pratt & Whitney J 52 without afterburners, are sold in Honduras. Early sixties, the Heyl Ha Avir now seeking class Mach2 devices, capable of competing with the Mig-21. AMD-BA offers the Mirage III. This aircraft flew the Israeli military will experience many successes, until the embargo decreed by General de Gaulle. The beginnings
War of Independence (1948)
Post-War (1948)
The era of the jet
Combat aircraft at the beginning of XXI century
Hunters
Aircraft carrier
Combat helicopters
Helicopters Support
Trivia
Notes
Bibliography
External Links
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