KLu Mirage III

[TomZ]

KLu Mirage III

In 1960 the Dutch Air force was looking for a supersonic fighter aircraft to bring the KLu into the supersonic age. Soon it became apparent that the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter was the favourite in this selection process.

However just before the final deal was made, a big bribery scandal broke. This implicated various people in the Dutch government and military including the husband of the Dutch queen. The result of this was that Lockheed was banned from the competition.

This new selection process resulted in a choice for the Dassault Mirage III. The first of 140 aircraft were delivered to the KLu in 1961. The Mirage III served with the KLu until it was replaced by the F-16 from 1979 onwards.

Kit: 1/48 Esci.

TomZ

[Hobbes]

  Excellent

[Old Wombat]

Nice!

I was always struck by how small the RAAF Mirage III's were when they occasionally landed as HMAS Albatross (NAS Nowra) back in the day.

[royabulgaf]

Tom, I don't even need to see your name.  That runway and bucolic background always clue me in.                              Kim M

[Pellson]

Oh, that's so nice!

[kitbasher]

Very smart.

And I assume Belgium then followed suit in rejecting the F-104, subsequently augmenting the IIIs with the Vs that were based at Florrennes and Bierset?

[Spey_Phantom]

the Dutch decals seems to fit the Mirage III very well 

[NARSES2]

I can't see any pictures unfortunately

[Tophe]

It seems to be a IIIC not IIIE, yes?

[TomZ]

It seems to be a IIIC not IIIE, yes?

Correct. It is this kit:



TomZ

[Tophe]

I prefer your one, good!

[63cpe]

Can't see the picca's!

Do see then on the mobile....weird..

Altough seen on a tiny display, they looked very good. very smart indeed!

Congrats must be one of the few plastic kits you've build last 12 months 

Cheers,
David

[Glenn Gilbertson]

Very s :thumbsup:mart!

[TomZ]

I redid the picture links as several people couldn't see them.

TomZ

[NARSES2]

Thanks Tom