SAAF Modeller

Great work on this model, Mark. It is such an interesting subject. I don't know if you already know this but this Bf109 was the first Bf109F that the allies actually flew. It was found at Derna, Libya with a damaged undercarriage, wings and prop but repaired to flying condition by a Lt Red Connor and flown by 1 Squadron, SAAF. Looking forward to seeing your finished model. 😎

I did! The decals I ordered arrived in March already. I was very surprised. Now I just hope that I'll have enough time to finish the build.🤞

Progress is slow but I am still continuing this build. Will do my best to get it done in time. Started work on the cockpit. I added a resin seat left over from a Scaleworx conversion set and a pilot figure from PJ Productions. A few details were added to the instrument panel using styrene bits. And painted it all up... Next I will be joining the fuselage halves and more re-scribing!

I started scribing the wings and elevators. The plastic is very hard and it is not easy. However I am using a Trumpeter scribing tool and it is working quite nice. Also started adding rivets to the elevators. Next I will be adding rivets to the wings and navigation lights to the wingtips using clear plastic. Thanks for watching.

Thanks, Andre. It might be a good idea. I have the castles. Just need the Squadron emblem and the smaller details.

If you get the chance try to go there on the first Saturday of the month when they have a flying day. You won't see any Mirages flying unfortunately but they always have AT-6C Harvards in the air and a couple of helicopters (Alouette II, Alouette III and SA330 Puma). There use to be an Angolan MiG-21 in one of the hangars as well but politicians sent it back to Angola.

I'm looking forward to this build. I haven't finished a model in almost 10 years. I will be building the 1/72 Mirage F-1C from Revell: This was originally a Hasegawa kit which isn't that bad although it has raised panel lines and a few other minor inaccuracies. I will add a few details here and there but building it mostly out of the box. I'm unsure about where to get decals as there are very few options these days in South Africa but I'll make a plan. Speaking of decals... I am going for a 3 Squadron South African Air Force livery from (I'm guessing) the late 1970s. More specifically No. 203 in the photo below. I've had this photo since I was 2 or 3 years old. Both my parents worked at an engineering company that manufactured parts etc. for the South African Defence Force and they always brought us pictures, posters and magazines including this photo. It was on the fridge door in the kitchen for a very long time and I am convinced that it was one of the main contributors that sparked my interest in aviation and the SAAF. On 5 October 1982, Major Johan Rankin shot down a second Angolan MiG-21 while flying No.203 (although I read that it is disputed by some whether the MiG actually went down). The airframe is currently on display at the SAAF Museum at AFB Swartkop in Pretoria. I'll be building this aircraft as seen in the photo above - in-flight. The photo above can be seen on this webpage together with another photo of the same three-ship pitching and I'm thinking this is how I will display my model. Scribing and sanding to follow...

I built this one 10 years ago! Airfix 1/72 kit rescribed and converted into a Mirage F-1AZ from 1 Squadron, SAAF.

I'd like to partake with a 1/48 Mirage IIIR2Z if I'm not too late?

I'll join this one with a 1/72 Mirage F-1CZ. I have the older Revell kit in my stash.😁

Excellent work on these tiny models Mark! They look really good. Must have been quite the experience piloting them! There are now only 1 Impala Mk.I (of the 151 aircraft operated by the SAAF for 39 years!) in flying condition in South Africa. Just FYI regarding the "Loopvlag" decals... The Italeri/ESCI decals actually reads "LOOPVLAC", which is wrong. It should read "LOOPVLAK" which is Afrikaans for walkway. I didn't know that the MAV decals are also wrong. Not that hard to correct though if you have a printer and decal paper.

Beautiful! Very nice! The exhaust tips looks fantastic!

Beautiful Mirage!! Love the orange missile! The Italeri Mirage ain't that bad just wish it had engraved panel lines... (Sigh)

Beautiful dio!

Oooooo! Nice Camel dio!!! Only 3 years? It'll take me 3 decades to reach the standard you're on!