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#203 not 100% accurate - wrong colour and should be dashed - but that was just one step too much for me at this stage :

IMG_5593 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

#203 done to represent an aircraft on quick reaction duty at Ondangwa in the '80s. Typical intercept load of 1,300 litre centreline tank and 2 x wingtip mounted Matra 550 IR missiles (later replaced by V3C Kukri) :

IMG_5595 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

Another odd thing about this kit is Kittyhawk would want you to pose the airbrakes open but don;t provided actuators. Nothing a bit of plastic rod can't sort out - this does, however, make the model totally unbuildable.... :

IMG_5596 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

Pavla resin seat is really nice :

IMG_5598 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

Although more often than not closed when on the ground, I thought I'd leave the main gear doors open to show off the nice rivet detail inside the landing gear bay :

IMG_5599 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

Would I build another? Absolutely yes. I really enjoyed building the Kittyhawk Mirage F1C although I really shouldn't have as, according to those in the know on other forums, this kit is totally crap and unbuildable....

Next one in the delivery scheme of buff/green/grey......

Another masterpiece.

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How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?

Goodness me Malcolm, you really are on a roll. The various shades of grey is a vexing challenge, and photo's of the model often don't reflect the way it looks like in the flesh. I like the tones you have achieved here. Although my squadron history doesn't allow too much praise of F1's, this is a lovely result!

Hi Mistral

Do you perhaps have a low side profile shot of the model you can post?

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https://www.flickr.com/photos/141742650@N08/albums

Thanks Sean . I have a very soft spot for the classic delta Mirage....but the F1 is by far the sexiest jet around

Marc, will take a pic over the weekend and post. Any specific reason ?

Thanks Mistral

I want to see the overall shape, as well as the stance after the landing gear mod.

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https://www.flickr.com/photos/141742650@N08/albums

Another stunner, well done

Fantastic!! Love the color scheme. That is just so cool....

I'd like to second this request for the same reason.



If you weren't a far superior modeller to myself, I'd question your judgement .

I've not enjoyed mine very much so far. Way too much needless fettling, fiddling and constant preparation of parts wears me down. Italeri/Esci for me. I enjoy painting the most and the route to that stage is quicker with the older kit. Didn't have to be, but that unnecessary work needed with the KH kit leaves me cold. That being said, I'll probably build a single seater in the future just to compare to the twin stick. There appears to be parts absent from mine that were included in yours (nozzle actuators) and vice versa (I think I may have airbrake actuators, but haven't double checked before typing). Were your nozzle actuators PE?

Anyhow, fantastic result Mistral. Really good looking bird you have there!

Thanks gents

Avgas, the actuators were indeed PE. On the same fret as the seat belts and spoilers.

I agree the kit did require a lot of getting and was not straightforward. But I really enjoyed the build. Maybe because it's a Mirage. If it was some US jet, I most probably would've lost interest.

Anyway, let's see how it goes with your Mirage

Hey Mistral,

Your Mirage turned out great

Thank you for the reply RE the comparison between the two kits on page one

Regards,
Stratobat

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'If the literal sense makes good sense, seek no other sense lest you come up with nonsense'