@Ionus,
Walter and I found exactly the same site after doing what could have been slightly different searches. An error on the total number of plane purchased, huh? How hard is that data to get right, really?
Anyway, from the site bot Walt and I found (http://www.adf-serials.com.au/3a3.htm), it appears that 15 RAAF pilots lost their lives while flying the Mirage III, most of those during collisions with other aircrafts, land or water, thus probably as a result of pilot error. Comparatively to other planes from the same era, that aircraft was sound and secure; it was a workhorse. According to the
RAAF Museum website:
Quote:The Mirage saw longer service in our front line than any other fighter. Despite the original estimated design fatigue life of only 1500 hours, some Australian Mirages flew over 4000 hours. Over forty aircraft were lost in flying accidents, but those who flew it held the type in high regard. Although the 'Miracle' has left our skies, many examples remain on display at museums around Australia.
The nickname "miracle" appears to have been used, but not for the reasons you mentioned. More probably because of the good quality of the aircraft, or because of the fact that they last flew as part of an aerobatic team: "Several Mirage aerobatic teams were also formed during its service with No 77 Squadron. Best known were the Deltas in 1971, followed by the
Miracles in 1976" (RAAF museum site).
I found a site that said we lost 42 aircraft and that we had bought 50....in fact we had bought 116 . So 42 out of 116 aircraft crashed, most with loss of life . My figures were WAY off . 55 were sold to PAF, so not most but under half...the remainder were corrosion, end of fatigue life, donated to museums, etc but all were unflyable .