Gary Brantley Posted December 10, 2019 Share Posted December 10, 2019 (edited) The model is the Monogram 1/48 Dassault Mirage 2000, the instructions are dated 1986. I built the kit somewhere between ’93 and ’95. It was years later that I finally took some photos of the model. When it was built way back then, I had very little experience with weathering and wear on aircraft and most attempts were not that good. As my meager skills in that part of the art grew, I felt better about newer builds and sort of looked down on my old efforts. After I started using digital cameras to record my planes, some older builds never got any consideration. I realized that was a bit unfair to those older builds and then saw them as "documentation" of my modeling abilities at that moment. They were then taken out to the airport for their turn before the lens. The paint was Model Master camouflage gray and a custom-mixed blue (tried to match a blue I’d seen in pics somewhere), both enamels, done back then with my Paasche H and an ancient, pulsing ol’ compressor that made an horrendous noise. Originally it carried two Exocets but I robbed one for my CSAF Mirage F-1 and used the kit-supplied drop tank in it’s place. I did add some gee-gaws to the cockpit that look okay still. I notice a bit of silvering, and some discoloration around a few decals. That’s happened in the last 10 or 12 years, but hey, they were laid down a long time ago. 😉 All in all, she turned out better in pics than in person. I think she’s passed the test of time pretty well and looks okay in the airport setting, posed in front of new hangars out there. Thanks to all for stopping by and taking a look at the model. Please feel free to leave comments if you'd like! Gary Edited December 10, 2019 by Gary Brantley 31 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desert falcon Posted December 10, 2019 Share Posted December 10, 2019 She's a good looking lady, would be a shame to stow her away again ! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Delta 210 Posted December 10, 2019 Share Posted December 10, 2019 Lovely model shown off by great photography. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbay133 Posted December 10, 2019 Share Posted December 10, 2019 Looks very good. I would be proud to display that on my shelf. Graeme 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMCS Posted December 10, 2019 Share Posted December 10, 2019 Great scheme 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hairtrigger Posted December 11, 2019 Share Posted December 11, 2019 Tremendous.. So well presented it looks like the real thing... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Brantley Posted December 11, 2019 Author Share Posted December 11, 2019 20 hours ago, desert falcon said: She's a good looking lady, would be a shame to stow her away again ! Thank you desert falcon! 🥤 She lives in the display cabinet just beside her "cousin" the Mirage F.1! 😀 18 hours ago, Alpha Delta 210 said: Lovely model shown off by great photography. I appreciate that Alpha Delta 210, many thanks on both counts! 18 hours ago, dbay133 said: Looks very good. I would be proud to display that on my shelf. Graeme Thanks Graeme! Nice of you to comment sir! 🍻 16 hours ago, RMCS said: Great scheme Much obliged Rich, thanks for the comment! 🥂 4 hours ago, Hairtrigger said: Tremendous.. So well presented it looks like the real thing... I appreciate those kind words Hairtrigger; thank you so much! I'm glad you guys liked this old model. It wasn't a bad kit and could probably have a "bang-up" job done on it in the right hands. A typical "good" Monogram kit-great value for the buck! Thanks again to all for the wonderful comments. They are appreciated by this old man! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted December 11, 2019 Share Posted December 11, 2019 I like that a lot 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Brantley Posted December 11, 2019 Author Share Posted December 11, 2019 24 minutes ago, F-32 said: I like that a lot And I like that you like it! 😀 Thanks a lot F-32! 🍺 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ c Posted December 11, 2019 Share Posted December 11, 2019 Great job on the old kit Gary, love the scheme you chose too 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Brantley Posted December 11, 2019 Author Share Posted December 11, 2019 3 hours ago, russ c said: Great job on the old kit Gary, love the scheme you chose too Hey thanks russ! 🍻 I'm really glad you liked her. 😀 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Brantley Posted December 13, 2019 Author Share Posted December 13, 2019 Hey everybody, before this one rides off into the sunset, I want to thank all for their nice comments, and the 19 members who reacted with a "like" (and you know who you are! 😀). Muchas gracias mi amigos! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzby061 Posted December 13, 2019 Share Posted December 13, 2019 A great rendition of one of my favourite aircraft. I have the Eduard re-pop of the Heller Mirage 2000 C & D/N versions in the stash, might get round to them one day. Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Brantley Posted December 13, 2019 Author Share Posted December 13, 2019 1 hour ago, Buzby061 said: A great rendition of one of my favourite aircraft. I have the Eduard re-pop of the Heller Mirage 2000 C & D/N versions in the stash, might get round to them one day. Pete Thanks so much for the comments Pete! 🍻 I look forward to seeing your Mirages; so many models, so little time, eh? I completely understand that (he says while eying the intimidating stash...😉) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omak Posted December 14, 2019 Share Posted December 14, 2019 Nice and clean work ! The grey and blue grey colors are so difficult to find...only one thing is false : french Mirage never hold Exocet missiles , only the greek air force did. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Brantley Posted December 14, 2019 Author Share Posted December 14, 2019 4 hours ago, Omak said: Nice and clean work ! The grey and blue grey colors are so difficult to find...only one thing is false : french Mirage never hold Exocet missiles , only the greek air force did. Thanks for checking her out and leaving a comment Omak. 👍 While seemingly counter-intuitive, I defer to your knowledge regarding French Mirage 2000s and the AM39 Exocet. I can blame Monogram for my miscue I guess! 😁 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulsbrown Posted December 15, 2019 Share Posted December 15, 2019 18 hours ago, Gary Brantley said: french Mirage never hold Exocet missiles But it looks great, leave it hanging! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Brantley Posted December 15, 2019 Author Share Posted December 15, 2019 6 hours ago, paulsbrown said: But it looks great, leave it hanging! Thanks, and I agree! 🍻 I won't change a thing. 😀 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IGKent Posted December 15, 2019 Share Posted December 15, 2019 Look nice Mirage, Gary! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Brantley Posted December 15, 2019 Author Share Posted December 15, 2019 40 minutes ago, IGKent said: Look nice Mirage, Gary! Thanks so much! 🥂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ad-4N Posted December 16, 2019 Share Posted December 16, 2019 I read the Monogram Mirage 2000's shape is that of the prototype. You've done a great job. I ABSOLUTELY love the outdoor shots in natural light. Well done, my Texas friend. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Brantley Posted December 17, 2019 Author Share Posted December 17, 2019 14 hours ago, Ad-4N said: I read the Monogram Mirage 2000's shape is that of the prototype. You've done a great job. I ABSOLUTELY love the outdoor shots in natural light. Well done, my Texas friend. Thanks for the kind words Ad-4N! 🥃 I try to get all my models out to the airport for outdoor photography. It's hard to beat the airport scenery for a background and I love using that natural light. One cool additional feature is the ever-changing Texas sky; one never knows what the skies will look like behind the model. And I suck at indoor photos. There's that too...😉 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ad-4N Posted December 17, 2019 Share Posted December 17, 2019 2 hours ago, Gary Brantley said: Thanks for the kind words Ad-4N! 🥃 I try to get all my models out to the airport for outdoor photography. It's hard to beat the airport scenery for a background and I love using that natural light. One cool additional feature is the ever-changing Texas sky; one never knows what the skies will look like behind the model. And I suck at indoor photos. There's that too...😉 Here is the predecessor to the Mirage 2000 in the Utah sun. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Brantley Posted December 18, 2019 Author Share Posted December 18, 2019 Thanks for the cool pic! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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