Rhetorical Question...

Ian the Kiwi Herder · September 20, 2006, 01:50:07 PM

Got these sheets off eBay, they arrived this morning. Leaving aside the fact that the Mirage F1 series was, IMHO, until the appearence of Audrey Tautou the sleekest, sexiest thing to come out of France since Brigit Bardot..... Sorry

got distracted for a couple of sentances.

What was I trying to say - ohhh yes. I counted-up twenty-four permutations of 'real' Mirage F1's from all the options in these two sheets. Now much as I love the F1, I aint gonna be building twenty-four of them, especially in 1:48. Which means that I got so many What If options for Jordanian, Libyan, Moroccan, Ecuadorian, Spanish (etc, etc) subjects.

The other thing - apart from the sheer number of options - is the superb quality of the unit badges in particular. Intricately detailed and quite beautiful to look-at. Almost seems a shame to put 'em on a plastic model

No.... I'm not in the pay of EAGLE STRIKE, I just appreciate a superb set of decals when I see them. And no, I mean ABSOLUTELY no disrespect to our friend Richard/Gekko 1, either.

All I can say, is this, if you get a chance to examine these sheets, do so - as for buying them.... well that's up to you.

Ian

AeroplaneDriver · September 20, 2006, 02:24:26 PM

Well...one idea that comes to mind is Libya. Now that the Colonel has renounced terrorism and WMD he may find sellers other than France and Russia. Though reports are already floating around about Libya buying Tiger helo gunships from France, how about an alternate purchase of AH-64s or AH-1Zs? How about a nice Airfix Hawk 100 in Libyan markings, or surplus USN F-18s? Maybe they could have the ones that took part in Eldorado Canyon...

Hatchet · September 20, 2006, 02:29:01 PM

Well, the Libyan ones could go on a MiG-31 - then, for s&g, put a 1/72nd (or 1/144th?) Star&Bar under the canopy. Double-take potential in a -31 too

I bet our Spanish friends could use an F-111 for anti-shipping and such - IIRC, their F.1s were/are stationed at the Canary Islands.

I bet Saddam would have liked to have Mirage IVs.

Morocco would be ripe for a Raffy I'd say.

The Castle & Eagle would look nice on a Typhoon - Castle and Springbok for a Viggie.

IIRC, Jordan wanted Tonkas at one point.

Ecuador - hmm, maybe a Mirage 2000?

Ok, I'm spent.

XV107 · September 20, 2006, 04:20:31 PM

There was a very short piece in <has senior moment and forgets journal> AFM? Jane's?

suggesting Libya is thinking of buying the Rafale as well as pursuing the Tiger.

Kuwait - Super Hornet? Not going to get the F-22, very likely to buy American replacement, so options a tad limited!

Jordan - In reality, wanted the F-20, it was cancelled, asked Saudis for 10 Tornado F3s, then sent pilots to evaluate F3 when UK refused to sanction direct deal, then changed mind and went for the IDS variant, then ran out of money. Perhaps Typhoon, given where the current monarch was educated and his being Regimental Colonel of at least one British army regiment?

Morocco - IIRC, Fairchild (as was) proposed the A-10.

South Africa - Tornado GR1s (replacing the Bucc and Canberra B(I) fleets?)

P1127 · September 20, 2006, 04:42:04 PM

Free Kuwait - do they fit on a Harrier?

dragon · September 20, 2006, 09:27:24 PM

The possibilities are not quite limitless, but close enough. What I like about that sheet is that we have an american company (at least I think that's where they're from) printing a decal sheet for a non-US subject, for a mostly non-NATO countries' Air Forces. Thankfully more people in the US are realizing that air superiority gray is sooooooo boring. Now if it only came in 1/72..... B)

Nigel Bunker · September 20, 2006, 11:19:31 PM

As it's a rhetorical question, surely you don't need any answers?

nev · September 21, 2006, 05:49:14 AM

QuoteGot these sheets off eBay, they arrived this morning. Leaving aside the fact that the Mirage F1 series was, IMHO, until the appearence of Audrey Tautou the sleekest, sexiest thing to come out of France since Brigit Bardot..... Sorry got distracted for a couple of sentances.

Whereas I think the Mirage F1 is one the most boring, plain jane planes on the planet. Furthermore, it just looks rubbish. It could be the greatest interceptor in history, but I wouldn't believe it cos it looks rubbish.

How could the people who brought us the Mirage III, Mirage IV, Mirage 2000 and Mirage 4000 foist such an organoleptic abomination on us?

Great decal sheets tho

Ian the Kiwi Herder · September 21, 2006, 12:03:08 PM

QuoteWhereas I think the Mirage F1 is one the most boring, plain jane planes on the planet. Furthermore, it just looks rubbish. It could be the greatest interceptor in history, but I wouldn't believe it cos it looks rubbish.

How could the people who brought us the Mirage III, Mirage IV, Mirage 2000 and Mirage 4000 foist such an organoleptic abomination on us?

The trouble with you, Nev, is you just never get around to making your point !

Ian

Archibald · September 22, 2006, 11:20:13 AM

QuoteLeaving aside the fact that the Mirage F1 series was, IMHO, until the appearence of Audrey Tautou the sleekest, sexiest thing to come out of France since Brigit Bardot

with such girl, comments are totally unuseful

Just enjoy...

PolluxDeltaSeven · September 22, 2006, 01:29:59 PM

-Free Kuwait F-8 Crusader

-Libyan and Moroccan Rafale, of course!!

-Spanish A-10??

-South African: Mirage 2000-5 (it lost against the Gripen) or F-111

There is also possibilities for the MV-22 Osprey. Maybe for Jordan, Spain, or maybe Greece...

Well, as you said, it's limitless!!