FD AU 5

[Karle94]

Here's an entry for Imperial Japan, both navy and army.

Starting with the Kawasaki Ki-100 Goshikisen, ie the radial engined Ki-61:


Nakajima Ki-84 and Ki-117 Hayabusa:


Mitsubishi A7M1 Reppu, A7M2 and A7M3-J Reppu-Kai interceptor:


Then there's the interceptors.

Mitsubishi J2M Raiden:


Nakajima Ki-87 and Ki-87-II:


Tachikawa Ki-94-II:


Kyushu J7W Shinden:


Nakajima J9N1 Kikka:


Nakajima Ki-201 Karyu:


And some bombers.

Tachikawa Ki-74:


Mitsubishi G7M Taizan:


Nakajima G8N Renzan:


Nakajima G5N Shinzan:


Kawasaki Ki-91:


Nakajima G10N Fugako:

[The_Sprinklez]

USA, Commuter Aircraft Corporation CAC-100 Operators
As mentioned in FD Never Built, these schemes are labeled AU because no orders were actually placed. While they represent *plausible* operators, they're not based in any sort of official interest and are thus not able to be called Never-Weres.

[LIVEWIRE]

Mirage 4000N/D

An AU side project showing a conventional/nuclear strike variant of the Mirage 4000 ("Super Mirage") in Armee de l'Air service. In this scenario, the Armee de l'Air procures the Mirage 4000N/D in the 1980s as a replacement for the Mirage IV in both the strategic nuclear deterrent role and conventional tactical strike/reconnaissance role as well as replacing other ground attack aircraft such as the Mirage 5. A single seat variant (the Mirage 4000C) was procured to replace the Mirage F1 and Mirage III in the dedicated air defence interceptor role, entering service in 1987 (although the Mirage III was ultimately replaced by the Mirage 2000C as the mainstay of the French fighter force by 1998, Mirage F1s continued in the air superiority role until replaced by the Rafale in the late 2000s). The Mirage 4000 is due to remain in French service until the 2030s when it will be replaced by the new SCAF 5th generation fighter.

Today it serves as the primary strike asset of the Armee de l'Air, alongside its other fighter aircraft - the Mirage 2000C (which serves as a lightweight multirole fighter, having replaced the Mirage III), Mirage 4000C (which serves as an interceptor and long range air superiority fighter), and Rafale (which serves as a multirole fighter adept at both ground attack and aerial combat, replacing the Jaguar and Mirage F1). Mirage 4000N/D strike aircraft remain on 24/7/365 nuclear standby across France and have seen service performing conventional strikes and tactical reconnaissance as part of French military operations in Libya (2011), Mali (2013-2024), Niger (2017-2024), Syria (2014-2023), Chad (2005-2024), and Somaliland (2024). Mirage 4000N/Ds are often deployed on training missions overseas, with recent training deployments including bilateral exercises with allies in Norway and Poland as well as training exercises at French military bases overseas in Djibouti, Senegal, Tunisia, French Polynesia, and Gabon.