MarkyM607's Mirage IVA/P ***FINISHED***

[MarkyM607]

Here is my entry into this. Can't say I'm usually bothered with anything French but the IV is the one that has gotten my liking and kept it. I hope to model the actual aircraft from E1/91 Gascogne 'CB', that I saw in the flesh at RIAT 1994!. As this is also twenty years I thought it would be a nice anniversary build!, it is the only Mirage IV I have ever seen in real life as they say.

Unfortunately the kit has basic markings so I'm trying to source the squadron shield for the tail and the CB letters, all the ones in the kit are A and X based I think. There is a sheet at Hannants but it is £8 and I only need two small badges from it. Seems a lot for so little so might have to try home made ones!.
From what I have found out this aircraft was a IVP at the time, however I might be able to get away with it!. I do have a recce pod for the Mirage IV in resin but I don't think the plane had one fitted at the time.

[shangos70]

I've always fancied one of the , Heller let themselves down with decals I think.

[MarkyM607]

From what I remember from the first kit I made some years ago the decals were okay as far as quality. The 'range' of those in the kit is sparse I agree. There are no unit badges and only really roundels, aircraft codes and airbrake markings. Could have been more put on the sheet.

[Old_Tonto]

Great choice Marky. I have always fancied building one of these but have been put off by it's size.

I will have a look in the decals stash later for that squadron badge but I wouldn't hold out much hope.

[MarkyM607]

Great choice Marky. I have always fancied building one of these but have been put off by it's size.

I will have a look in the decals stash later for that squadron badge but I wouldn't hold out much hope.

Thanks!. I would say build one, despite being the biggie of the Mirage family they aren't actually massive, at least not in 1/72nd. Probably similar to F-14'/F-15's in length I think.

[MarkyM607]

Here is the Mirage's state as of now. Also not overly complicated as a kit and goes together well. No serious gaps although a bit of fine work along the seams would do, nothing major to worry about. The intakes and spitter/splitter? plates are the only difficult bit so far. The larger vane on the plate goes on the top and the intake curves down more on it's top surface, if anyone needs to know!!.


This is the aircraft I am attempting to model. I have managed to make basic E1/91 squadron badges which will pass muster in this scale. Still need to make the aircraft codes 'CB', but this should be possible.

(By the way this pic was taken by me so no copyright issues I hope!!, this was at RIAT/Fairford 1994 and is the only Mirage IV I have seen for real. Something of a coup for the show at the time IIRC).

[Molly-new]

Nice progress Mark, and quick.

[MarkyM607]

Not so much work done this week, wings are on and intake/exhaust area, and wing seams all addressed and primered. Looks good, especially around the intakes. Wheels are being built today, hopefully get some paint on her later. Not sure if the recess under the fuselage is covered or flat when no missile or recce pod is carried, can't see very well from my picture so I will leave it as is. The aircraft in the pic didn't have and stores other than the fuel tanks under the wings so that's all I will put on.

[MarkyM607]

Little update. After the charge last Sunday things have slowed down!. The air-brakes needed a little sanding to fit, or at least the one I got done did. Noticed the model tipping back and thought 'oh no, where can I squeeze in weight?'. Then I realised it wasn't tipping back, the nose wheel was actually short of the ground!. As it comes in two parts with a small step on each to fit together, I had sanded ever so slightly to get a better fit but must have shortened the lower part in the effort. One picture shows a poor quality but has the half round plastic strip[ I'm using to add about 1 mm of length!.

How to do a wheelie in a Mirage IV, (it's minus the lower leg piece but still sit upright!!).

[Old_Tonto]

Great work so far.

Very cool wheelie.

[Softscience]

This is my favorite of the Mirages. I didn't know there was a kit in 1/72. Is there any wheel well or cockpit detial?

[MarkyM607]

In short, no and a little bit. The wheel wells are completely devoid of detail, they are smooth and clear. There is some detail on the cockpit IP's but the cockpit does leave some gaps around the IP's. This isn't a problem if you have the canopies closed as you can't see anything!, but if you open them it may need some work.

[MarkyM607]

Just a bit more done so far. Have made a bit of a mess of the camo as I was following the kit paint sheet and the photo of the real aircraft!. Plus I only have a photo from one side!!!. Anyway, here she is so far..


Plus the replacement centre section to the nose wheel mentioned earlier..

[shangos70]

Nice bit of repair work there, quite a big beastie too.

[MarkyM607]

Thanks, although the biggest Mirage she's still not massive, the V-Bombers make her look more fighter size. Anyway, fuel tanks gone on today, canopy gaps filled in and painted. Must remember to print off the unit decals for the tail!!.

(gaps not filled and painted in this shot! It's worse on the other side!!)