Dassault Mirage 5PL(M)

comrade harps · September 29, 2020, 01:17:11 AM

Very nice

TheChronicOne · September 29, 2020, 01:27:19 PM

Damn, that's awesome!!! I wasn't expecting the diamond but it's perfect!!!!

DogfighterZen · September 29, 2020, 05:12:28 PM

Glad to know you like it, guys, thanks!

Quote from: Pellson on September 28, 2020, 11:30:36 PM
Awesome! And the old Mirage is so whif-friendly. I mean - almost everyone bought them at one time or another irl, so you can get away with just about anything..

Indeed, there were so many users of these beauties... And Portugal was very close to buying them too, they only called off the deal because the then new democratic government did not want to spend any money in military material as there was a big recession in the country's economy because of the Colonial wars and there was too much uncertainty regarding the future of the country in those days so they held off any big decisions for when the country was back on track.

Quote from: TheChronicOne on September 29, 2020, 01:27:19 PM
Damn, that's awesome!!! I wasn't expecting the diamond but it's perfect!!!!

That scheme is simple but it seemed like a good one for the air defense mission. I had a hard time (as always) trying to choose one that seemed plausible for a Portuguese Mirage and i didn't want to do this one in the traditional SEA camo, which would be the obvious choice for a PoAF bird going by what they used in the real world.
The scheme that most people assume that the PoAF Mirage would have is an all over Olive drab with a black radome but i figured that it would only have that scheme if it had been used in Africa so, as this is a depiction of an interceptor in the 2000s, i'm pretty sure that the scheme would be different on a plane still used 20 some years after the war ina totally different country.
I like the scheme and may end up using it on future PoAF whifs.

ChernayaAkula · September 29, 2020, 08:12:01 PM

It's sooo beautiful!

The gorgeous camo, the beautiful lines of this stylish Mirage variant. The pointy 5 nose (compared to the III's) in conjunction with the LERXes and the canards make it even "pointier" - and the camouflage "diamond" only enhances it even further.

DogfighterZen · September 29, 2020, 08:39:49 PM

Thank you for the kind words, Moritz!

The PJ/HPM kits are the best when it comes to options, lots of stuff to choose from.
You get 4 different nose sections, one normal IIIC/E, one 5F with pitot under, one Kfir type with strakes on the sides and the pointy 5 nose I used on mine. You get both types of vertical fin fairing, two complete canopies, one single seat and one twin seat with two windshields, one with front framing and the clean one like on the Kfir C.10 which was the one I used. Might have to buy another one for the camouflaged version of this bird.

TheChronicOne · September 29, 2020, 10:15:17 PM

Quote from: DogfighterZen on September 29, 2020, 05:12:28 PM
Glad to know you like it, guys, thanks!

Quote from: Pellson on September 28, 2020, 11:30:36 PM
Awesome! And the old Mirage is so whif-friendly. I mean - almost everyone bought them at one time or another irl, so you can get away with just about anything..

Indeed, there were so many users of these beauties... And Portugal was very close to buying them too, they only called off the deal because the then new democratic government did not want to spend any money in military material as there was a big recession in the country's economy because of the Colonial wars and there was too much uncertainty regarding the future of the country in those days so they held off any big decisions for when the country was back on track.

Quote from: TheChronicOne on September 29, 2020, 01:27:19 PM
Damn, that's awesome!!! I wasn't expecting the diamond but it's perfect!!!!

That scheme is simple but it seemed like a good one for the air defense mission. I had a hard time (as always) trying to choose one that seemed plausible for a Portuguese Mirage and i didn't want to do this one in the traditional SEA camo, which would be the obvious choice for a PoAF bird going by what they used in the real world.
The scheme that most people assume that the PoAF Mirage would have is an all over Olive drab with a black radome but i figured that it would only have that scheme if it had been used in Africa so, as this is a depiction of an interceptor in the 2000s, i'm pretty sure that the scheme would be different on a plane still used 20 some years after the war ina totally different country.
I like the scheme and may end up using it on future PoAF whifs.

Totally unexpected but like I said... so perfect... makes me wish these were still front line fighters. 2000's era for this is great. Other folks have MiG 21s, Portugal has the Mirage. Updated paint.... it's anachronistic oddity and well executed. Hard to pull off sometimes.. I've failed at it but you didn't!

DogfighterZen · October 04, 2020, 10:59:31 AM

Quote from: TheChronicOne on September 29, 2020, 10:15:17 PM
Totally unexpected but like I said... so perfect... makes me wish these were still front line fighters. 2000's era for this is great. Other folks have MiG 21s, Portugal has the Mirage. Updated paint.... it's anachronistic oddity and well executed. Hard to pull off sometimes.. I've failed at it but you didn't!

Thanks, brotha!

The Mirage delta family is one of my favorite aircraft designs, and when i read about Portugal almost buying the Mirage IIIE back in the 70s, i saw a perfect what-if to build for the PoAF. There's been an healthy discussion on facebook about the scheme, some say it would've been painted in SEA camo and others agree that probably the camo schemes would've been different if the PoAF had never bought the A-7... All i know is that when i was almost done with this one, i realized i need another Mirage for a future build to do the same mods on and paint it like the Belgian/Chilean Mirage 5M Elkan. This one was done in 201st FS "Falcões" markings, which is the air defense squadron, and the SEA camo will be applied on the 301st FS "Jaguares" ground attack squadron's jets.

TheChronicOne · October 04, 2020, 05:04:12 PM

Oh hell, they will look good side by side!!!

That's a plan.

I've been thinking lately about Deltas myself........ F-106. Makes me wonder if an All-Delta GB would be cool or if it would be TOO specific. Probably too specific.... lol.... but not only paint swaps but maybe turning typical non-delta aircraft into deltas? Delta F-15..... Delta... uhhhh.... well... whatever!

Anyway... it's apparent we have delta on the mind...

DogfighterZen · October 05, 2020, 03:38:06 AM

Quote from: TheChronicOne on October 04, 2020, 05:04:12 PM
Oh hell, they will look good side by side!!! That's a plan.

I've been thinking lately about Deltas myself........ F-106. Makes me wonder if an All-Delta GB would be cool or if it would be TOO specific. Probably too specific.... lol.... but not only paint swaps but maybe turning typical non-delta aircraft into deltas? Delta F-15..... Delta... uhhhh.... well... whatever! Anyway... it's apparent we have delta on the mind...

Deltas on the mind...

Well, i could say i could use a cup of coffee(Delta cafés is a portuguese coffee brand)...

Yup, i can't wait to get another Mirage kit but i've been hoping that Special Hobby would come out with their kits of the Mirage family but it doesn't look like that will happen anytime soon. The HPM/PJ kits are a bit tricky regarding fit, the panel lines are a bit too wide and deep, and it makes the kit look a bit like Matchbox kits but if it's the only available option to do what i want, then that's what it will be. It's the a great kit in regards of options, you get most of the different noses, the canards and other bits that make it a good value for money, althought they're not cheaper than Modelsvits or other brands with Mirage 3/5 kits...

The Gb idea is good...

TheChronicOne · October 06, 2020, 02:14:17 PM

I might have to snag one of those myself; I like the idea of the parts options! I swear, I might HAVE a Mirage kit sitting around somewhere.... if I do, I'm curious now to have a look at it....

DogfighterZen · October 07, 2020, 08:24:47 AM

It's a good kit, despite the panel lines being a bit too wide but i can live with that. On the down side, it's also a bit expensive... I will definitely be on the look out for some of Modelsvit next releases of their Mirage III/5 kits. Those seem to have better detail but the prices seem a bit steep and they're more limited kits re options.
Anyway, i already have a High Planes Mirage 5F ROSE III kit and a French type refueling probe on order from PJ productions in Belgium. The resin bits will save me some work on the next build.

ChernayaAkula · October 07, 2020, 06:17:59 PM

Haven't checked the thread whether you're aware of it or not, but only the first production batch has deep panel lines. The moulds were then re-worked and now have much finer panel lines. Not sure how to distinguish between "old mould" releases and newer ones, though. Here's a side-by-side comparison: LINK!

Given that Mirage 5F Rose III was only released in 2019 (according to Scalemates), it should have the updated parts.

DogfighterZen · October 09, 2020, 02:00:16 AM

Quote from: ChernayaAkula on October 07, 2020, 06:17:59 PM
Haven't checked the thread whether you're aware of it or not, but only the first production batch has deep panel lines. The moulds were then re-worked and now have much finer panel lines. Not sure how to distinguish between "old mould" releases and newer ones, though. Here's a side-by-side comparison: LINK!

Given that Mirage 5F Rose III was only released in 2019 (according to Scalemates), it should have the updated parts.

Moritz, thank you for that link!

PJ and HPM do have a note on the their website regarding the kits which have been retooled.
I'd read about that but couldn't find any pics of the difference. Those show the difference well, the retooled kits seem to have much sharper detail. The panel lines on the kit I've built we're "soft" and wide, it must have been hanging around the Portuguese shop I bought it from for quite a while but these look better, no doubt.
The kit is on it's way and I can't wait to have it in my hands to compare to the old one.