Squadron 105 - IAF / IDF
"Ha'Akrav" - The Scorpion Squadron
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In December 1958, the first examples of the potent Super Mystere B.2 were delivered, making 105 for a while the IDF/AF's premier interceptor fighter squadron. A further batch of ex-Armee de l'Air examples was received in 1963.
Although theoretically outclassed by the time of the Six Day War, in June 1967, the type flew extensive interception and fighter escort missions and 105 sqn claimed over 16 kills in air combat for 9 losses. At least two of the kills were against Syrian MiG-21's.
Although the nominal strength of the unit was 36 Super Mystere B.2s, it was often much higher than this. During the period 1960-67 Israel undertook the regular overhaul of more than 60 French Air Force Super Mysteres, and many of these aircraft saw short periods of service with the IDF/AF (without permission) before being returned to their rightful owner. It is of interest that the unit's Scorpion badge is very similar to the marking carried by Armee de l'Air unit EC2/12 (also a Super Mystere B.2 unit at the time). Postwar, the type was relegated to ground attack missions, although high fuel consumption at low level severely limited endurance. A drastic solution was developed, which involved rebuilding the Super Mystere's rear fuselage to accommodate the J52 engine used by the A-4H Skyhawk. A total of 26 aircraft were re-engined in 1969-73. Some 22 examples were available to fly attack missions in the Yom Kippur War, during the course of which 6 aircraft were lost. The squadron reportedly also used a small number of Neshers after October 1973.