Bladerunner Posted June 30, 2019 Share Posted June 30, 2019 Hi guys, I started working on detailing and correcting the 1/32 Italeri Mirage IIIE to a SAAF Mirage IIIEZ. The kit is in need of quite a few improvements and corrections, such as the instrument cowl, Instrument panel, ejection seat, bulkhead, tail fin, exhaust nozzle, JL-100 rocket launchers and their pylons. The length of the intake trunks will also have to be trimmed back a bit. Here's some pics of what has been done so far. Most picture show a before and after of the parts. Cheers 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VG 33 Posted July 1, 2019 Share Posted July 1, 2019 Hi This is a very interesting and usefull job you have made. Patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bladerunner Posted July 1, 2019 Author Share Posted July 1, 2019 Thanks Patrick Some progress on the CRP 18 pylon, but still need to clean up the panel lines a bit. Cheers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted July 2, 2019 Share Posted July 2, 2019 nice work! can you elaborate a bit what you are doing with the JL-100 and its pylons? Thanks, Werner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Uncool Posted July 2, 2019 Share Posted July 2, 2019 We likes! (hence, we're watching). Hi Werner, mate! Cheers, Unc2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bladerunner Posted July 2, 2019 Author Share Posted July 2, 2019 Thanks Werner and Unc2 The kit JL-100 rocket pods are a bit too long and the diameter +-2.5mm less. So I'm making new ones that will be the correct size. The pylons are underscale, so new ones as well. Cheers, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonners Posted July 2, 2019 Share Posted July 2, 2019 Superb! Looking forward to watching progress on this. A younger version of me used to be very impressed by these machines in RSA in the early-to-mid '80s, when they were painted tan/green/light grey. Which colour scheme are you planning to finish it in? Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bladerunner Posted July 2, 2019 Author Share Posted July 2, 2019 2 hours ago, Jonners said: Superb! Looking forward to watching progress on this. A younger version of me used to be very impressed by these machines in RSA in the early-to-mid '80s, when they were painted tan/green/light grey. Which colour scheme are you planning to finish it in? Jon Hi Jon, glad you like it The old Buff , Olive Drab and Light Admiralty Grey was the best, and would be the coolest scheme to do Another update, the main landing gear door reinforcing strips have been added. Cheers 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted July 2, 2019 Share Posted July 2, 2019 4 hours ago, Bladerunner said: Thanks Werner and Unc2 The kit JL-100 rocket pods are a bit too long and the diameter +-2.5mm less. So I'm making new ones that will be the correct size. The pylons are underscale, so new ones as well. Cheers, John Thanks a lot! Are you going to open the through holes and exhaust as well? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonners Posted July 2, 2019 Share Posted July 2, 2019 2 hours ago, Bladerunner said: Hi Jon, glad you like it The old Buff , Olive Drab and Light Admiralty Grey was the best, and would be the coolest scheme to do Excellent. I used to spend hours looking at Herman Potgieter’s photos of these and the other SAAF hardware in my South African copy of the Potgieter & Steenkamp book ‘Aircraft of the South African Air Force’ (it’s still my favourite aviation book, for old times’ sake). I have a 1/48 IIICZ in silver stashed away in a box, but haven’t yet built a IIIEZ. Keep up the good work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bladerunner Posted July 2, 2019 Author Share Posted July 2, 2019 3 hours ago, Jonners said: Excellent. I used to spend hours looking at Herman Potgieter’s photos of these and the other SAAF hardware in my South African copy of the Potgieter & Steenkamp book ‘Aircraft of the South African Air Force’ (it’s still my favourite aviation book, for old times’ sake). I have a 1/48 IIICZ in silver stashed away in a box, but haven’t yet built a IIIEZ. Keep up the good work. Jon, I have the same book, and it contains truly beautiful photos of the Mirages. Regarding the JL-100 pods, the blast vents/exhausts will be open, and the front of the tubes will have to slightly recessed oval covers, typical of a loaded configuration. Cheers, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bladerunner Posted July 3, 2019 Author Share Posted July 3, 2019 Some more progress, strips of plastic card added to simulate the tread on the main wheels, and this also corrects the diameter. A little bit of filler required, then it will be done. Cheers 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Uncool Posted July 3, 2019 Share Posted July 3, 2019 John, that's quite clever! Will see whether it's doable in 1/48. Well done, my mate. Unc2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bladerunner Posted July 3, 2019 Author Share Posted July 3, 2019 1 hour ago, Uncle Uncool said: John, that's quite clever! Will see whether it's doable in 1/48. Well done, my mate. Unc2 Thanks, on which 1/48 wheels do you want to try it? Cheers, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Uncool Posted July 3, 2019 Share Posted July 3, 2019 The 1/48 Kinetic Mirage III or 5 kits, with which I'm not particularly happy about the wheels on 'em. Thought I might use some Plastruct #90710 (.010 by .020 strip) and then sand them down some. Whad'yathink, bruh? Incidentally; what town in sweet SAfrika are you from? Cheers John. Unc2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bladerunner Posted July 3, 2019 Author Share Posted July 3, 2019 2 hours ago, Uncle Uncool said: The 1/48 Kinetic Mirage III or 5 kits, with which I'm not particularly happy about the wheels on 'em. Thought I might use some Plastruct #90710 (.010 by .020 strip) and then sand them down some. Whad'yathink, bruh? Incidentally; what town in sweet SAfrika are you from? Cheers John. Unc2 I see, those wheels are not that great. I have replacements for you. Send me a PM if you're interested, then we can make a plan I live in Cape Town Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bladerunner Posted July 4, 2019 Author Share Posted July 4, 2019 The brake chute fairing needs to be extended forward. I chose to do this with filler putty to build up the fairing. The putty (Perfect Plastic Putty) dries very quick and is really easy to sand and shape. Here's a picture showing the progress so far, with the original kit tail fin above and the modified one below. The difference between the rudders is clearly visible. Cheers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bladerunner Posted July 7, 2019 Author Share Posted July 7, 2019 The CRP 18 pylon has different panel lines from the left hand side and the right hand side, and this is mirrored on the opposing wing station. A resin copy was made, and details copied on opposing sides. They are still mounted on their sprues. The rudder control horn, it's linkage and fairing has been replaced. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basket Posted July 7, 2019 Share Posted July 7, 2019 Very precise and neat job so far . One of my favorite jet , I'll stay tuned . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bladerunner Posted July 10, 2019 Author Share Posted July 10, 2019 On 7/7/2019 at 2:41 PM, basket said: Very precise and neat job so far . One of my favorite jet , I'll stay tuned . Thanks basket Some more progress. The instrument cowl test fit, and it doesn't interfere with the windshield fitment. What a relief... The kit brake chute cone diameter is too big, and I almost have it reduced to the correct diameter. Received replacement rocket pod cone for the JL-100 from a friend's spares box Here's all the additional and modified parts so far. Cheers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bladerunner Posted July 25, 2019 Author Share Posted July 25, 2019 Some more progress. Size comparison versus the original kit wheel (spare IIIC from the kit) JL-100 progress, as the kit ones are too long and too narrow. Cheers 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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