GUENEAU 313/29
In 1968 the Swiss Air approached Dassault with a request to develop a new version of the Mirage as an attack aircraft capable of increased agility at low level. The SAF also wanted something with a lower landing speed for use on short, rough field sites.
​
Together, Dassault and the Swiss Federal Aircraft Factory (Fabrique Fédérale d’Avions – FFA) developed a Mirage modified nose design, fitted with a pair of forward retracting fore airfoils – rapidly dubbed as “moustaches” – which would modify the aerodynamics of the aircraft and allow for the improvements required.
The prototype, named "Milan", made its first flight in Melun-Villaroche on May 29, 1970, piloted by Dassault test pilot Guy Mitaux-Maurouard.
​
in May 1972 testing began by the SAF to assess if the Milan would satisfy the requirements.In competition was the American LTV A-7 Corsair II. Both aircraft apparently performed well, neither demonstrating a substantial performance advantage over the other.
​
On September 9, 1972, the Federal Council made the so-called "Nullentscheid" (zero/no decision), meaning that neither the Corsair nor the Milanwere acquired. Instead, Switzerland procured two series of 30 used Hawker Hunter aircraft, a plane that was no longer upto date at the time. This "zero decision" was the object of heavy political controversy.
In the videos and photos of the time, the Milan pilot wore a peculiar helmet, based on the Gueneau 313/29 shell; the Corsair pilot a Toptex.
​
Certified in the early 70s, the 313/29 was mainly in use with the Belgian AF. It was the helmet for student pilots flying the SIAI Marchetti propeller aircraft and it's the one in the pictures on this page.
it was fitted with connectors on both sides that allowed the installation of a boom mike to the right or to the left; it could be equipped with a bungee visor or with a pair of goggles.
​
In the photos above and right, taken from a movie of the time, the helmet worn by Milan test pilot Guy Mitaux-Marouard was based on the same shell, but equipped with a visor kit as the one fitted to the Gueneau 312 helmet. Manufactured by L'Optique Scientifique in the version "Type 541.2", was optimized for use by fighter pilots (with an angular movement of 48°). From the pictures, it would appear that the internal padding and the communication system were also different from the standard helmet.
It was probably a modified shell being evaluated during that time by the French CEV (Centre d'essais en vol). If I may be so daring as to share an opinion, looks the 313/29 was an improvement on the Gueneau 312 and a precursor of the 316, which was very successful. Helmets like the Milan ones are extremely rare; we are only aware of the existence of a couple of them.
