Dassault Mirage 5PL(M)

[DogfighterZen]

Very neat

I do like the change of look of the Mirage's delta but there aren't many pics of the NG on the web. I've had a hard time to figure out the angles and exact location of the LERX. on the real thing. The most detailed images online are drawings and although i've matched the plastic to the drawing, i still wasn't very convinced of this shape cause in pics of the real thing, it seems to be a much straighter line instead of curving close to the intakes. The image below was my guide for the shape of the APEX


Image source: Aviastar.org

So, last night i was almost to the point where i'd decided to leave it like it is but then i remembered i hadn't searched with the complete words of the NG designation so after a quick look, i did find a close up of the LERX after the prototype was disassembled and it shows a straight line, no curvature at all so now, i'm trying to decide if i should sand them down or not... I can always say it was a new shape derived from further studies after the NG prototype was built.
Decision will have to be made today as i want to move forward with the build...

[Old Wombat]

It's a Miracle*!

Not a type I'm even moderately familiar with but the LERX's are interesting.

(*: Slang for the Mirage in Australia, at least.)

[zenrat]

Just my 2c but i like the slight curve at the tip.  It makes them look more like they are meant to be there rather than being something just tacked on as an afterthought.

[Old Wombat]

Just my 2c but i like the slight curve at the tip.  It makes them look more like they are meant to be there rather than being something just tacked on as an afterthought.

I'd agree with that - yours look more purposeful!

[DogfighterZen]

Well, that does it, it's stays as is! Thanks for the feedback, guys! 
I admit i found them weird at first but their look is growing on me, reminding me of the F-16's and JF-17's LERX design so, i'll keep them like that and begin PSRing the heck outta them.

[chrisonord]

Looking good  Rui, I  like modifying these beasts too.
Chris

[DogfighterZen]

Looking good  Rui, I  like modifying these beasts too.
Chris

The Mirage delta winged variants are very interesting indeed and their long service life and number of user countries give us such a wide range of possibilities for whifs that i'm already looking for another kit of this bird. 
The LERX/APEX have been puttied and should be ready for some sanding so i'll try to do it today. I'm also going to look for a suitable plastic bit to turn into a laser range finder to put under the nose like the Chilean 5M Elkan has.

[ChernayaAkula]

Cool to see you're doing an NG.    Beautiful aircraft!   The LERXes and canards moved a bit further forward do change the look quite a bit, I think.

[DogfighterZen]

Cool to see you're doing an NG.    Beautiful aircraft!   The LERXes and canards moved a bit further forward do change the look quite a bit, I think.

It is, IMO, the best looking of the Mirage delta family, such a sleek looking thing| 
As a matter of fact, i haven't been able to find any pics of an NG model... I wonder why... it' true that it is a lesser known variant but i had the impression that, with the Mirage being such a popular fighter jet, that i'd find, at least, a few models of it but none came up on google images... 
Re the build, the LERX has been PSRed and i just have to engrave a few panel lines to call them ready. Then i'll attach the canards and a couple of small vents and antennas. I've had a look in the spares box but nothing decent was found to transform into the laser range finder... guess i'll have to scratch one up from a sprue bit...

[DogfighterZen]

Got some more work done on this today...
As i couldn't find a suitable part to convert into an the chin sensor, and i also wanted to add a couple of other bits, i gathered a few bits of sprue and got my parkside rotary tool out of the box. After some sanding and shaping, this is what i managed to do...

First, the simplest, the chin sensor...



Then the chaff/flares dispensers...




Everything already glued on...



After this was done, i got back to the topside and engraved some panel lines on the LERXs before i glued the canards on...




Still a few small bits to go but it's on the right track...

[Old Wombat]

 

[ChernayaAkula]

Sexy! 

[comrade harps]

Sexy! 

Agreed 

[Tophe]

Good!

[DogfighterZen]

The Mirage family has produced some real beauties indeed... 



Ok, today i didn't do much besides adding the antenna on the spine and drilling out some of the various vents and scoops but i still have a few of those to take care of...
Also checked the canopy, which, going against most of the other parts of the kit, has a perfect fit! 
Spent a while reading up on stuff about several variants and the modernization programs their went through and now i'm in another dilemma, what type of missiles would it carry?
It depends a bit on the type of radar/fire control system it would have but i'm divided between either using American or French... Again, depending on the mentioned systems, would it be able to employ BVR missiles?
I've seen pics of PAF Mirages with R-Darter missiles so, as i'm basing the electronic systems package on the Belgian MirSIP(which later became the Chilean M-5M Elkan) and the Pakistani ROSE modernization programs, a FIAR Grifo M3 or an APG-68(V)9 fire control radar would give it the capability to use BVR air to air missiles so, i have to make a decision on which type of and how many missiles i'm going to hang under the wings...

Anyway, i'll have to decide soon cause i want to choose which pylons i'll have to glue on before painting begins cause i prefer to do it after there's paint involved.