The EC 2/13 ALPES  scheme as shown in the book of Breffort & Jouineau was selected as it has a nice colour scheme and tail markings. This meant that a number of kit decals could be used, but also I had to make the "Alpes"  markings. This was done with a combination of coloured sheet, white Bare Metal decalsheet for the inktjet printer; After printing and drying, the decals were given a coat of special  Microscale Decal Film to protect them.  For the Escadre unit markings various decals were retrieved from the decal spares box and trim coloured decalsheet used from Xtradecal.

The overall model had obtained several coats of the ALCLAD II and this is very gloss after polishing it with a piece of cloth. Take care to avoid fingerprints, so handle the model at the dark nose cone and rear tailpipe only.

Decalling in progress.... 
The decals came mainly from the Revell kit. I always apply a bit of JOHNSON FUTURE (later called PLEDGE) on the back of the decal after it is removed from its backing paper, and apply than; this will prevent silvering.

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Details of the nose and main gear seen above. With pieces of card and stretched sprue, details were added such as braking wires, actuators and also the anti-swivel braces were made from some card. The tyres needed a bit of putty and sanding but are otherwise OK. 

Tyres were painted "tyre black", hubs metallic. Some washing done with a mix of  FUTURE and black acrylic paint, this provided some depth on the legs and bays. 

The canopy looked OK at first but was not very clear (mould errors inside the plastic). There is not much that can be done about this: I dipped the whole canopy into FUTURE and carefully let the canopy dry. 

The canopy got a couple of mirrors and a handle cut from spare thin etched metal. 

Also the Alpes squadron unit markings on the tail can be seen.

Upper view. After applying the stencilling and roundels (mostly from the kit), these were given a light "overspray" of ALCLAD metallic aluminium (same colour as the overall colour). This gives a very convincing effect. 

The flap edges were given a bit of a darker wash with acrylic. The navigation lights as supplied in the kit need some extra work as they do not fit well. Use a fine file and a bit of Micro Kristal Klear to get a better flush fit and Tamiya transparant colours. 

The ALCLAD II metallics were polished for a last time with a piece of cloth.  Than the overall model got a light coat of  FUTURE to protect shine and decals. 

The pitot tubes came as last items. The nose pitot tube has a particular shape on the Mirage III. I used the front end of the kit part but also a piece of metal rod to get a better appearance. The two small pitot tubes (although in the kit)  in front of the windscreen were made from a piece of card and rod. 

As I had no good missiles in this scale, these were not (yet) fitted on the model.

The Mirage III of the "Alpes" ... a nice result I think.

French AF of EC 2/13 ALPES as based on Colmar in 1965... Note the alps mountains in the background.  Just joking.. this is the model

The ARDU symbol was also found on the internet; it was scaled in the photo editor program to the correct size in 1/32 and 4 copies printed on white decal sheet for inktjet printers from Bare Metal foil. 
After printing and drying, the decals were given a coat of Microscale Decal Film to protect them. I used 2 copies for each side over eachother after applying the black and yellow striping in the tail. 

[ NOTE DECEMBER 10, 2006:   Flying High Decals released the ARDU decals in their set: - RAAF Mirages Parts 1-9
Obviously I already had finished my model ]

Some decals such as the serials were found in the spare decal box.

The resin seat of High Planes is seen installed here. The seat got green and blue cushions and para packs, the straps a mix of brown and grey. Seat buckles came from an etched metal set and the seat got a black wash. 

The overall plane of the ARDU is in reality obviously kept in very good condition and has almsot no weathering. Only the flap panels and gear legs got a little black wash. 

Note the rear panel with emergency rescue arrow and panel. It was drilled open, painted and got a little Micro kristal clear. The opened up camera windows in the nose were closed using Microscale Kristal Clear as well. They got a protective coat of Future after drying. 

Here you can see the instrument cover panel and seat. The canopy was hinged by using very tiny metal rods that keep it into position. A small hole was drilled in the fuselage spine and the model canopy is transportable.

The nose gear also got some details, similar as the other Mirage III model. 

    also note the added detail onto the insides of the nose gear door. 

Here you will see some extra work done on the tailpipe with metal rod and thin pieces of plastic. The whole was given a metal look.

  A special plane from a special unit.

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[ click for large image ]

So... a couple of 1/32 scale Mirage III kist. Hope you like them. 

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