From the Archives: Alpha Jets Over Istres Fifty Years Ago In Aviation Week

The cover of Aviation Week & Space Technology’s April 28, 1975, issue featured the first four Franco-German Alpha Jet trainer/close-support aircraft in close formation during flight test over Istres, France. 

The lead aircraft had a special paint scheme on its wings and tail to facilitate observation of behavior during spin testing. The camouflaged aircraft was prototype 03, the close-support version for Germany's Luftwaffe. 

Dassault-Breguet photograph.

April 28 1975 | Aviation Week

Enjoy unlimited access to the complete Aviation Week Archive, which features over 100 Years of Aviation Week content at your fingertips.

Every issue, every page, every article we have ever published. Your subscription includes full access to the archives, plus current Aviation Week & Space Technology articles (both digital and print packages available).