Entente cordiale brings York a piece of aviation history

A FRENCH military aircraft has arrived in Yorkshire as Britain begins its departure from the European Union.
By The Newsroom
Published 31st Mar 2017, 17:12 BST
Updated 8th Apr 2017, 22:28 BST
The body of the Mirage jet is lifted by a crane on to stands at the Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington .The body of the Mirage jet is lifted by a crane on to stands at the Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington .
The body of the Mirage jet is lifted by a crane on to stands at the Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington .

But this was an act of friendship rather than hostility as the Allied Air Forces Memorial at Elvington, near York, took delivery of a Mirage jet gifted by the French government.

It will be the only example of the aircraft on show to the public outside France.

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Ian Reed, director of the Memorial Museum, said: “We are honoured to receive this gift from France which further cements the close bonds of history, friendship and family ties between our two nations. Something which Brexit will never change.”

Marking the culmination of a 12-year project, the aircraft was transported by ferry to Portsmouth before completing its journey to Yorkshire by road.

The Mirage IV was western Europe’s fastest military jet, capable of sustained speeds of Mach 2.2 and was the principal part of the French nuclear deterrent.

The fuselage and wing sections have been offloaded from their transports and reconstruction of the aircraft is expected to get underway next week.

Related topics:BritainYorkEuropean UnionYorkshire