stalal

This is Italeri Mirage 2000D. Its a Kinetic kit in Italeri box. I have used the following aftermarket to detail this model · Aires 4577 - 2 Martin Baker Ejections Seats for Mirage 2000D · Some bits of Eduard 48693 - Mirage 2000D Exterior · Aires 4553 Exhaust Nozzle · Olimp ORA48-01 Mirage 2000D Detail Set · Wolfpack 48-150 cockpit detail set There is no need for aftermarket at least for the decals as the kit comes with fantastic decal sheet. References on these links were very helpful during the build http://florent1973.free.fr/FrenchAirWings/francais/aviation/aviation_index.htm http://www.primeportal.net/hangar/luc_colin2/mirage_2000d_walk.htm Overall it was a nice kit to build and en enjoyable experience. But there were some glaring mistakes like the exhaust, cockpit, fuel tanks & nose radome length. I used Olimp set to get fuel tanks with correct shape and PDL-CT/S pod. Aires seats were far superior to what was in the Wolfpack set. Its too bad sides of the seats had to be sanded down to fit. In any case, that detail would not have been visible. I have used Gunze H series paints and used the mix of following shades to get the colors that matched references Dark Grey : H331 H042 H057 H305 Dark Green : H309 H330 H73 Overall an enjoyable build. Still need to improve on photography.

Yes. I m talking about the teeth join. On real life helicopter, this join is quite prominent but Italeri has completely obliterated it. thats a shame coming from a new mould and a First World European model company.

Does the join fit perfectly? I ask this as this section on Italeri kit is devoid of details and I m thinking of using this set to create more realistic rotor join.

As you intend to show the front panel open, I m looking forward to how you will do the bit of engines that will be visible through that opening.

How did you achieve this? Getting the fuel cap recessed. Great work so far.

Great detailing. How did you achieve this effect? The mottled color effect. I tried doing salt technique with Tamiya acrylics and the result wasnt encouraging but yours is fantastic. How did you do that?

Good stuff. Where did you get this braided wire? I m looking for it too

If success be measured by number of countries operating a plane and number of units produced, MiG-21 and F-16 stand out.

Your Mig-21 inspired me to build this http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234947924-mig-21mf-syrian-air-force/ and now your Wessex has inspired me to build a Wessex. Slowly but surely you are becoming my model making hero.

Superb job. Very inspiring indeed

Kits controls are very basic indeed. Where can I get these detailed controls that you have? Needless to say I m highly inspired by your build and going to make my first ever helicopter kit.

re the guns mounted in the helicopter included in the kit or aftermarket? If aftermarket then brand?

Very very nice weathering. Really inspiring.

Your build impressed me so much, I too am looking to make this kit. Problem is I m not as expert as you are at improvising called scratch building. Also, I have never built a helicopter before as they have never interested me like this one! So I began to look for after market for this kit but disappointingly, there isnt much.

How did u make these equipment bags? Really, really nice work

Yes this is inexplicable. Tamiya has their F-16 kit as if its made to accommodate two seater F-16D. Their detail up parts contain two seat belts. The front of the fuselage is a separate piece to accommodate part for two seat version. Also the fairing projecting from rear of the vertical fin is a separate piece seemingly to accommodate fairing with chute. But still after 8 years on 1/48 and 10 years on 1/32 F-16 kits, no D version!

Heard back from Kits World. They say their decals are suitable for Revell Tornado. http://www.kitsworld.co.uk/index.php?CATEGORY=4&SUB=19 Cant verify their claim.

So my next question will be - which RAF Desert Storm decals are sized for Revell Tornado? Are there any decals for this kit in the market?

Thank you Merv. That was good insight. In the drawings for the Model Alliance decal sheet, I see the pod underneath the front fuselage. That to me is a GR4 but the decals list GR1s only. That pod I believe is a Mid Life Upgrade and is an LRMTS pod. Can you confirm GR1s did not carry them? Weapons can be different for different nations. What I m after is how different a GR1 will be from an IDS version, if my base kit is Revell IDS?

But isnt IDS version same as GR1? The examples covered in the sheet below, are they all RAF GR4s? http://www.hyperscale.com/2011/reviews/decals/ma48174decalreviewkb_1.htm Also, there is some appreciation and appreciation, in equal measure, of the sheet above. http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/43789-model-alliance-tornado-at-war-desert-storm-1990-91/ I m no expert in RAF fleet and would like pros here to shed some light and clear up confusion.

If I intend to build a Gulf War 1991 RAF Tornado in 1/48 Can I use new release Revell Tornado as a base kit? What modification I need to do, if at all? Interested in desert pink RAF Tornados. Which decal sheet will you recommend? Thanks,

Really good and inspiring stuff.

Agreed! With their F-16 kits, you dont need any aftermarket. I have built 3. 3 more in storage. Absolutely beautiful kit and a benchmark in quality. Buy a Hasegawa and start looking for aftermarket at the same time.

With the way they designed their, simply brilliant F-16 kits in both 48th and 32nd, it always looked a two 2 seat F-16 is just around the corner. If they bring out F-14 out of nowhere, I will be extremely surprised. F-14 Tomcat is well covered by Hasegawa in 1/48th anyways.