Published in 1996, with a preface by Air Corps General Claude Grigault, former commander of the 92nd Bombardment Brigade in Cognac, the former Chief of Staff of the Air Force particularly highlighted "the author's competence and knowledge of his field, the collection of documentation of a quality and scope that commands admiration, emphasizing that others will discover his faith and talent for producing works of this type, contributing to a better understanding of our French wings."

Since then, many talented fellow authors have come forward to contribute to this wish.

For this reissue, I wanted to highlight personnel often kept in the shadows, those belonging to the non-commissioned officer corps. Today, a pilot sergeant presents this new edition, one of those who, during the Cold War, provided the backbone of the Air Force with his fellow mechanics and pilots.

Without the latter, fully invested in their responsibilities, no Vautour would be able to take off and bring its crew safely back to port.

In 2025, the book retains the same content as the original, albeit largely enhanced with new color photographs and additional information, as well as the production list.

For many, the SNCASO.4050 Vautour twin-jet remains a legendary weapon aircraft, if only for its size, its aggressiveness, its aptitude for aerial combat during encounters with other Air Force fighters, and for ground attack, as the Israelis so ably demonstrated.