Dassault Mirage III models in 1/32 scale |
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... continued from page 1.. Mirage III Model [2] would be made in "traditional" old style French markings. The red intake markings were used as provided by the excellent Revell decals.
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 tail pipe only.
Tyres were painted "tyre black", hubs
metallic. Some washing done with a mix of Johnson FUTURE and black acrylic
paint, this provided some depth on the legs and bays.
The canopy got a couple of mirrors
and a handle cut from spare thin etched metal.
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.
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.
Model [1] of the Australian Mirage III O of the ARDU meant that a number of kit decals could be used, but the ARDU tail markings had to be made myself. The scheme is seen in the book of Breffort & Jouineau drawings (although it has some small errors). With a search with Google on the internet you will find real photos of the ARDU planes.
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.
[ NOTE DECEMBER
10, 2006: Flying High Decals released the ARDU decals
in their set: - RAAF Mirages Parts 1-9
;
[ area: 7,700,000 km2 | population: 26 million | capital: Canberra | GDP per capita nominal 68,000 USD ] In the British Commonwealth in Australia the Australian Flying Corps (AFC) was set up in 1912 with at Point Cook Victoria a flying school. The AFC was involved in the First World War with detachments to the RFC in Mesopotamia (Iraq), Egypt and England flying aircraft like the SE.5. Later, in 1921 the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) was established. Some of the types flown were Bulldogs, Demon fighters and Ansons. In 1936 the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) was set up and manufactured many aircraft in license like the Wirraway. During the Second World War Australia offered training to air crews under the Empire Air Training Scheme. After the bombing by Japan of Darwin in 1943, during the war many missions were flown using types like the Buffalo, Hudson and P-40s. The first Australian fighter, the Boomerang was produced by CAC along with Mosquitos and Beaufighters. A number of RAAF units flew from Britain against Nazi Germany with Lancasters and also aircraft were flying from the desert in North Africa and operating over the Mediterranean.After the war, De Havilland Vampire jets were ordered with some delivered but particularly most of some 80 Vampire F.30 and FB.31 license manufactured by CAC. And at the island of Malta, Vampires were stationed during the Cold War. Missions were flown during the Berlin Airlift with the Avro York and during the Korean War with types like the Gloster Meteors and P-51 Mustangs. Later RAAF obtained F-86 Sabres and in the early 1960s, Dassault Mirage III O were acquired with over 100 aircraft operated and locally manufactured. Canberras were flown from 1964 in the Vietnam War and including Caribou transport aircraft as well as Neptune. The RAAF acquired starting from 1967 Macchi MB-326 H jet trainers. The demonstration team "the Roulettes" flew with the MB-326 from 1970-1989. F-111 strike aircraft were ordered but the 24 aircraft delivered not earlier than 1973. Meanwhile in 1971 a defense treaty was signed with Malaysia and Singapore and small detachments with Mirages at Butterworth Malaysia and Tengpah in Singapore. Some 75 modern F/A-18 Hornets were acquired with first deliveries in 1984 and the Mirage III O aircraft were retired in 1988 (with some 50 sold to Pakistan). Lockheed Martin F-35A aircraft are currently put in to service at Williamstown with a planned fleet of 72. A special
plane from a special unit.
.
NOTE: a 1/32 Revell Mirage 5J kit was also used for a Kfir C7 conversion seen here...
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Created this page October 1, 2006 |