The statistics are really quite devastating: almost half the Mirage 1 fighter jets acquired by the Spanish Air Force three decades ago have crashed, and the tragic accident that took place near Albacete earlier this week that cost the loves of two captains and a lieutenant brings to 34 the aircraft as well as lives that have been lost in this way.

Defence minister, Carme Chacón, has been unable to sell the aircraft on as talks with Ecuador broke down and the negotiations with Argentina are currently at a standstill.

It also an open secret that those who still dare to fly these planes, that were acquired by Francisco Franco in the 70s from Dassault Aviation in France, refer to them as 'flying coffins'.