1/48 Kinetic Mirage 2000-5 - Hellenic Air Force

[doogsatx]

Okay, so Eduard's non-fitting PE screwed my twin-seater Mirage 2000BG before it could really get off the ground.

Time to make a recovery with Kinetic's single-seater Mirage 2000C, which will be built as a Greek 2000-5. Unlike the two-hole, the single-seater has an aftermarket resin cockpit available from Wolfpack. Their resin cockpit was literally the only pleasant surprise I had with the Academy 1/32 F-16D/I, so I figured I'd give them a go this time around.

The result? DROP FIT!







I still need to thin down the sidewalls, but the main tub fits right on the kit's mounting rails. The IP is forward because the whole glare shield will be removed and replaced. I'm reading that a bit since I don't want the resin to muck up the fit of the windscreen. But the resin replacement DOES look fantastic.



More to come...

[John Everett]

I've always liked the Mirage. I always felt it would have been a neat addition to the US inventory.

There's not as much weathering to be had with a jet. Sure you can handle one without a piston engine and a propellor?

[doogsatx]

Well - I've handled two jets to date...






For some reason, I do find them a lot harder than props. Still not exactly sure why.

As for the Mirage 2000 - it's generally one of the cleaner Greek aircraft, but they find ways to make even it dirty!

[TRM]

Nice looking pit Doogs!! I'm in! Looking forward to more soon!!

[doogsatx]

Well hell.

Pulled out the clear sprue last night and discovered that the windscreen had broken loose of one of the tabs, taking a chunk of framing and glass with it. Have to reach out to Kinetic to see about sourcing a replacement. In the meantime, my Mirage 2000 ambitions continue to be frustrated.

On the random good news side - the single-seater kit randomly contains the B/D/N two-seater cockpit tub and instrument panels, so I can get back up and running with that one. But at this point, I'm just not in the mood to tempt fate again. Time to leave the 2000s alone for a bit.

[Rick]

Heck of a way to start the year Doogs. Carry on!

Rick