The Mistral was the LRI's standard fighter at the time of the CIR intervention in Italy. Created in response to the sudden revival of military aviation during the Nova Evropan Wars, during which the LRI had sought to maintain neutrality in order to concentrate on reuniting the Italian peninsula. During the Wars, the LRI's stance was one of neutrality: while they would stop attempts by Nova Evropan forces at raiding Northern Italy, they ultimately feared the Sixth French Republic's rise to power and the Confederation of the Iberian Region's potential to inspire and aid revolution. This forced the LRI to effectively pay tribute to Nova Evropa, in the form of "volunteers" composed of Nova Evropan sympathizers extraofficially expected to die in the battlefield.

The Mistral itself, ironically a machine inspired by an ancient French ultralight aircraft, was made as a defensive aircraft, expected to take off on short notice to intercept hostile aircraft from mountain airfields or near potential targets. For this, it is made to maximize lift and minimize weight, providing it with an astounding climb rate.

In combat, it's range would prove to be a limitation that relegated it to defensive roles. However, it would quickly force the CIR to retire the Clothes Horse family from frontline combat, except where they could be escorted by fighters.