Dirk's 1/72 PM Mirage III

[Dirkpitt289]

No, not that type of mirage, this type of Mirage.














The plan was to do a quick and easy oob build to try and get the new year off on the right foot but a little too much time in the shower (My thinking spot) gave me an idea. For now I'm going to keep the idea on the down low till I'm sure i can get everything I need.

[Old_Tonto]

Intriguing!

Never seen this kit built before so looking forward to this.

[splash]

Good luck Dirk it's not one of their best kits, I think Airfix re-boxed it back in the 80's along with the Sea Fury.

Regards
Splash

[splash]

As a point of personal interest, that looks like HMS Fearless just behind the Mirage in the picture, if that is day one of the landings at Port San Carlos, I was on board her, waiting to hitch a ride ashore on the first aircraft that wanted a second aircrewman as lookout. It was the most uncomfortable morning I have ever spent on board a ship, listening to the a/c flying over and ships air defense systems letting rip.

Luckily the next day I teamed up with Lt John Miller in "VZ" ZA313 and spent the rest of the conflict back in my comfort zone operating from an Eagle Base ashore flying every daylight hour we could find and only going back on board the Fearless at night for a shower and some R and R.

So in theory you might be building a model of the a/c that failed to reduce my lifespan by 30 years .

Regards Splash

[Dirkpitt289]

Well I hope I can do it some justice Slash....

[Saxon]

Just got one of these recently, will be watching closely

[Dirkpitt289]

Just got one of these recently, will be watching closely

Gee thanks so much for a non-pressured build.

[PaulBradley]

Well, it is going to be low level - no need to pressurize, right?

[Dirkpitt289]

Well, it is going to be low level - no need to pressurize, right?

I find that offensive... Just kidding. All is well

[PaulBradley]

We need a "milk snort through the nose" emoticon for that, Dirk!

[Dirkpitt289]

[Dirkpitt289]

This one has been on the back burner for a while now and its time to get moving. Time has been slipping away quickly.

First off ejector marks on the outside of the body? Really?



I started by attacking the thick engine takes.



Not great but better



Next I started on the engine exhaust cone. It's pretty ugly





Using an old Dr Pepper soda can I made some new slats for the exhaust. This is the first set. The second row of slats went over the gaps made by the first row. For some reason I couldn't get my camera to cooperate in getting a focused photo of the end product.



Again not perfect but better



Next steps are uncharted waters for me. I'm going to attempt to install LED's to simulate a working engine

I started by applying a black primer and then semi gloss paint. The idea is to prevent any light from the LEDs from bleeding through the plastic

[splash]

Nice work on the tail Dirk, those tin strips make a big difference.

Regards Splash

[PaulBradley]

Ooh, this is going to be interesting!

[lancfan]

Very much so.

David.