Lightningboy2000 Posted May 28, 2020 Share Posted May 28, 2020 Just completed a remarkably quick build - for me! This is the old Heller 1/72 Mirage III E/R/5BA kit. Belgian Air force Mirage 5BA BA-33 No.1 Sqn 1987 No.1 Sqn 70th Anniversary scheme. I used the Pavla cockpit set, which fit perfectly but the canopy despite being clearer than the kit canopy wasn't used as I didn't regard it as a perfect fit. Decals are from the Modeldecal sheet 92 which is now 33 years old. The decals were a nightmare as all the adhesive backing to the decals has gone off, so when you soften them in water, I had to clean white scum off each decal as it would have shown on the model. I guess this is what happens to old decals? Anyone else had similar experiences with the old Modeldecal sheets? I've now got quite a colection with some more subjects to use up & hope I don't get the same experience again! I rescibed most of the prominent fuselage & wing panel lines & added a piece of brass rod for the nose pitot tube. Airbrushed Tamiya X1 gloss black which went on really nicely. Many thanks for looking! 🙂 43 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangseat Posted May 28, 2020 Share Posted May 28, 2020 Beautiful scheme, thanks for posting! (I have to say, and I'm not at all disappointed, but was gearing up to have my mind blown by the little-known SR-71 in Belgian Air Force service..) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wulfman Posted May 28, 2020 Share Posted May 28, 2020 Stunning ! A beautiful build and finish on the old Heller ! Wulfman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lightningboy2000 Posted May 28, 2020 Author Share Posted May 28, 2020 24 minutes ago, Bangseat said: Beautiful scheme, thanks for posting! (I have to say, and I'm not at all disappointed, but was gearing up to have my mind blown by the little-known SR-71 in Belgian Air Force service..) Cheers mate! Imagine!!!! 😆😆 9 minutes ago, Wulfman said: Stunning ! A beautiful build and finish on the old Heller ! Wulfman Many thanks!! Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAT69 Posted May 28, 2020 Share Posted May 28, 2020 Excellent paint and decal application! I would have gone bonkers trying to apply the tiny decals. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhantomLover Posted May 28, 2020 Share Posted May 28, 2020 That Mirage is wonderful! Very good job! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lightningboy2000 Posted May 28, 2020 Author Share Posted May 28, 2020 16 minutes ago, SAT69 said: Excellent paint and decal application! I would have gone bonkers trying to apply the tiny decals. Cheers mate, I was pleased with the paint as I'd never used it before! I spent a whole afternoon applying them awful decals & it helps to be certified bonkers already! 🤪 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMCS Posted May 28, 2020 Share Posted May 28, 2020 Fantastic 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
binbrook87 Posted May 28, 2020 Share Posted May 28, 2020 Stunning! I saw the real thing back in 1987 and you've done it justice 👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lightningboy2000 Posted May 28, 2020 Author Share Posted May 28, 2020 22 minutes ago, binbrook87 said: Stunning! I saw the real thing back in 1987 and you've done it justice 👍 Thanks for that, much appreciated! 👍 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted May 29, 2020 Share Posted May 29, 2020 That looks fantastic. I've a bit of a thing for Belgian subjects but this is one I'd not considered, till I saw this & guess what, I've got that decal sheet. Do Heller still do their Mirage kit? Steve. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Dyck Posted May 29, 2020 Share Posted May 29, 2020 Hi, very impressive finish! Cheers Andy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lightningboy2000 Posted May 29, 2020 Author Share Posted May 29, 2020 7 hours ago, stevehnz said: That looks fantastic. I've a bit of a thing for Belgian subjects but this is one I'd not considered, till I saw this & guess what, I've got that decal sheet. Do Heller still do their Mirage kit? Steve. Thanks Steve, I think Hannants have it in stock. Let me know how you get on with that decal sheet. It looks ok until you dip it in water, then white scum just goes everywhere. I had to actually clean the stuff off the backside of the decal with a soft brush. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted May 29, 2020 Share Posted May 29, 2020 Stunning job! Only this morning I came across a picture of this airframe in an old Osprey book I have IMG_8710 by tony_inkster, on Flickr 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted May 29, 2020 Share Posted May 29, 2020 That’s gorgeous... I love bright bold subjects so this ticks all the boxes, plus it’s a Mirage, possibly the most beautiful jet ever produced. Which Modeldecal sheet are these decals from? I only discovered the other day I had Belgium CF-100 decals so I might even have this set too. Cheers and well modelled.. Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted May 29, 2020 Share Posted May 29, 2020 (edited) 59 minutes ago, Rabbit Leader said: Which Modeldecal sheet are these decals from? #92 Dave, its main subject is Meteor night/all weather fighters. As @Lightningboy2000 mentioed above, Hannants still have them. I know where there's another one but it isn't for sale. Steve. Edited May 29, 2020 by stevehnz 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted May 29, 2020 Share Posted May 29, 2020 Ha... actually Steve, I know I’ve got both Meteor NF sheets so these Mirage decals should be in my vast decal bank somewhere... now where’s that Heller Mirage?? I know I’ve got one of these as well. Cheers.. Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lightningboy2000 Posted May 29, 2020 Author Share Posted May 29, 2020 3 hours ago, F-32 said: Stunning job! Only this morning I came across a picture of this airframe in an old Osprey book I have Fantastic shot that! Yes I've got that book - by my mate Bob Archer "Combat Colours" Modeldecal do that "Milkyway" 2.Sqn jet as well on sheet 96. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zhizhou Posted May 29, 2020 Share Posted May 29, 2020 Another fantastic Mirage from your bench Martin. You are on a roll. I'm glad you had the patience you overcome those decals, your Blackbird is a winner. Cheers, Zhizhou 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natter Posted May 29, 2020 Share Posted May 29, 2020 Very, very pretty. With those tanks it looks as though it is about to attempt a non-stop round-the-world flight. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orion Posted June 9, 2020 Share Posted June 9, 2020 Hello Lightning, Despite your decal problems, this model is a topper on what I have seen sofar today. I will send it on to my friends from the belgium Modelclub at eeklo. They will be delighted with this model. Regards, Orion. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lightningboy2000 Posted June 9, 2020 Author Share Posted June 9, 2020 1 hour ago, Orion said: Hello Lightning, Despite your decal problems, this model is a topper on what I have seen sofar today. I will send it on to my friends from the belgium Modelclub at eeklo. They will be delighted with this model. Regards, Orion. Much appreciated Orion! Big fan of your B.A.F. history & all the flamboyant color & anniversary schemes. Used a few photos from a very good color book called "Belgian Special Colours" by Jack Bosma & Cor Van Gent. Any more good reference books suggestions would be appreciated! Cheers & all the best! Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheyJammedKenny! Posted June 9, 2020 Share Posted June 9, 2020 Beautiful work on that old kit. Did you re-scribe the panel lines? Sure looks like it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lightningboy2000 Posted June 9, 2020 Author Share Posted June 9, 2020 4 hours ago, TheyJammedKenny! said: Beautiful work on that old kit. Did you re-scribe the panel lines? Sure looks like it. Thank you very much! I did sand off all the main raised lines and rescribed, but only the main bits, didn't go mad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CT Modeller Posted June 9, 2020 Share Posted June 9, 2020 That looks really good. I’ve had that white sediment issue with Modeldecals a few times. My solution is to hold the decal in tweezers and rinse it in water to remove the white. The decals are fairly robust thankfully but it is a bit tedious to have to do that even with the smallest of stencils. I then put the decal on over fresh wet Klear and press it down as usual. I then put another coat of Klear on top to seal it into the surface. It usually eliminates slivering as well. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now