Dassault Mystere IVA #2 United States Air Forces in Europe

These are 1/72 scale decals for the Dassault Mystère IVA, operated by United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) in U.S. Air Force markings and Southeast Asia camouflage, used as static decoys at European air bases during the Cold War.

The story of these aircraft is one of the more unusual footnotes in Cold War aviation history. The United States originally funded the purchase of Mystère IVAs for the French Air Force under the Military Assistance Program in the 1950s, helping to re-equip NATO allies with modern jet fighters. When the French retired their Mystères, a number of airframes were returned to U.S. custody — and rather than scrapping them, USAFE put them to work in a decidedly unconventional role.

Painted in the distinctive Southeast Asia camouflage scheme of Dark Green, Medium Green, and Tan over Light Gray — and marked with full USAF insignia — these Mystères were positioned as static decoys on the flight lines and dispersal areas of U.S. air bases across Europe. The intent was to complicate Soviet targeting by increasing the apparent number of aircraft at each base, forcing enemy planners to expend more weapons to achieve the same level of destruction in a first strike.

A genuinely unique and conversation-starting subject — a French-designed jet wearing American colors and Vietnam-era camouflage in the heart of Cold War Europe. Please allow some time for decal printing and shipping.