The Griffon was a response to a 1953 requirement for a light supersonic interceptor. The prototype, powered by a SNECMA Atar 101F turbojet first flew in September 1955 and this, the second aircraft which used the combination of an Atar 101E-3 turbojet and Nord ramjet, flew in January 1957. The aircraft was extensively tested by the CEV with much of the test flying being undertaken by André Turcat, later of Concorde fame. Despite reaching a speed of Mach 2.19 in October 1959, the programme was scrapped in 1960 and the Mirage went on to fulfil the interceptor contract. Photo by John Fricker

The Nord 1500 Griffon was an experimental ramjet-powered interceptor aircraft. The first plane 1500-01, with only the SNECMA Atar 101F afterburning turbojet, made its first flight in September, 1955 and quickly reached Mach 1.3. This 1500-02, fitted with the definitive turbo-ramjet powerplant, took off for the first time in January, 1957 and in August, 1958 became the first French aircraft to reach Mach 2. Subsequently, the "Griffon II" broke the international speed record over 100 kilometers on a closed circuit with 1,643 km/h and later achieved a speed of 2,330 km/h (Mach 2.19).

Seen in the Musee de l'Air et de l'Espace, the Griffon was a response to a 1953 requirement for a light supersonic interceptor. The prototype first flew in September 1955 and this, the second aircraft flew in January 1957. In October 1959 it attained a speed of Mach 2.19, 2,300km/h at 15,000 metres. The pathetic on-camera flash provided just enough light to illuminate the engine intake

The Griffon was a response to a 1953 requirement for a light supersonic interceptor. Under the design leadership of Claude Flamand the prototype first flew in September 1955 and this, the second aircraft flew in January 1957. In October 1959 it attained a speed of Mach 2.19, 2,300km/h at 15,000 metres.