The SAAF Forum

Does anyone know about the white panels on III CZ. I can't decide to paint them or not? Some photos show a silver band on the nose. When was any of this discontinued

Thanks
Sean

Welcome to the forum Sean . The white panels are "dielectric" panels i.e. antennae for radios. You'll see the early IIICZs had no blade antennae. These were introduced later as equipment upgrades came about. If you're modelling an early CZ without the blade antennae, then you'll need to paint them on. Regarding the silver nose section, your guess is as good as mine. Post images of your Mirage please

Note also that these panels had a dark grey leading edge. There was also a rectangular white dorsal antenna just aft of the canopy.

Hi SeanM, since I am also busy with a Mirage IIICZ, and I speak under correction here (Mistral?), the white panels are actually a very light grey and not pure white.

Regards,

Pierre

Hi Sean

The silver band was painted over when markings were toned down in the mid to late 80's.

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Thanks I think I will do an early IIICZ as my next model is an EZIII so it will give a little contrast in the display cabinet

As I recall during my time at AFB Hoedspruit BASS in the mid/late 1980s the "dielectric" panels were pure white, though one or two could have discoloured due to exhaust heat or sunlight.

I do not recall any of the Cyrano radar noses still being bare metal and black - I only remember them being painted deep buff.
They were indeed still bare metal and black during the second half of the 1970s.