Fouga CM.175 Zéphyr

The Fouga CM.175 Zéphyr was a French two-seat carrier-capable jet trainer of the 1950s, developed for the French Navy from the land-based Fouga CM.170 Magister. The prototype, first designated CM-170M Esquif, flew on 31 July 1956 and was soon redesignated the CM.175 Zéphyr, and carrier trials followed from HMS Eagle and HMS Bulwark off the French coast in 1957 and 1958. Compared with the Magister it had an arrester hook, a modified structure and a strengthened undercarriage, a nose-mounted light, and sliding canopy hoods that could be locked open during carrier launches and landings because it had no ejection seats. It was powered by two Turbomeca Marboré IIA turbojets. One rocket pod could be carried under each wing for weapons training. Thirty-two aircraft were delivered, the first production aircraft flew on 30 May 1959, and the type entered service in October 1959 with the deck landing school at Hyères. It was retired in 1994.