PICTURES: Nuclear strike bomber arrives in Portsmouth on way to museum

The aircraft, a 77-foot long Dassault Mirage IV, is being donated to the UK by the French government to be displayed at the Yorkshire Air Museum.

After arriving in Portsmouth last night, the craft will head north to the museum this morning.

The bomber was divided into four wide loads so it could be transported across the Channel from Le Havre.

Its arrival marks the culmination of a 10-year journey for the air museum to acquire and display the iconic aircraft.

It was used as protection during the Cold War era as France faced the threat of nuclear attack from the Soviet Block.

More than 60 Mirage IV aircraft were built and later served as conventional strike and reconnaissance aircraft during conflicts including the Gulf War and Afghanistan.

The last aircraft was retired in 2005.