Mirage

MIRAGE AIRPLANE
STATE MEDAL 5763/2003
10th in the “Airplanes that Made History” Series

This series of medals commemorates the airplanes of the Israeli Air Force. Each one made its mark on the history of the country and is associated with its specific period of operation. The planes have been reproduced in precise detail on the medals, designed by Eliezer Weishoff, in consultation with the Public Committee headed by the former Commander of the Air Force, Major General Eitan Ben Eliahu.
The first French-made Mirage airplanes arrived in Israel in 1962 and they have participated in numerous combat operations every since. The Mirage made history on July 14, 1966 when it shot down a Syrian MIG 21 in the first air battle between two Mach 2 airplanes. The plane gained supremacy throughout the region during the Six Day War with its attacks on the Egyptian airfields and continued to reign throughout the War or Attrition and the Yom Kippur War, downing hundreds of enemy planes. The plane served as the basic design for the development of other fighter planes by the Israel Aircraft Industry, such as the “Nesher” and the “Kfir”.

Obverse: The Mirage in flight with the Jerusalem landscape in the background; the word “MIRAGE III” appears in Hebrew and in English along the upper border of the medal.

Reverse: A stylized design of a bird in flight with the hills of Jerusalem above it and the Israeli Air Force emblem below it; the verse “HIS WINGS SHALL FILL THE BREADTH OF THY LAND” (Isaiah 8) is inscribed in Hebrew along the upper border of the medal and in English along the lower border. The silver/925 proof medal is with gold-plated sterling silver insert and the bronze proof medal is with sterling silver insert.

Edge: State emblem with the words "STATE OF ISRAEL" inscribed in Hebrew on the right and in English on the left; the serial number and metal.

Designer: Eliezer Weishoff.

Engraving: Romania.

Mint:
Bronze and Silver medals: Romania.
Gold medal: The Government Mint, Israel.