Popular Post RidgeRunner Posted December 17, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted December 17, 2021 Hi all, I am extremely pleased to get this one rolled out of the paint shop today. Independence came to Gabon in 1960. The armed forces of the new nation were divided into several branches. Noteworthy is the Republican Guard which controls some of the flying units, including the Presidential Flight and the Air Force Training School, for example. Early examples of Presidential Guard flying machinery was the AD-4N Skyraider and AT-6 Harvard, among many others. Gabon's air force has used European hardware for decades. It is one of the few countries that acquired modern jet fighters at a relatively early stage. It received the Mirage 5 in the mid-1970s through a contract signed on the 9th October 1975. More French material in use were Alouette III, Gazelle and Puma helicopters and Fouga trainers (from Austria). Little then changed until the arrival of the F1AZs. These were/are operated from the two main Armée de l'air Gabonaise bases: Base aérienne 01 at Libreville and Base aérienne 02 at Franceville. These are current as far as I can ascertain. The background is that in 2006 it was reported that Gabon had purchased the surviving South African Mirage F1AZs (plus spares) for about R40M, The first two aircraft have arrived in Libreville, Gabon in August 2006. These were TR-KML/239 and TR-KMM/241. Aerosud of South Africa were contracted to restore the aircraft to airworthiness standards, as well as to provide an avionics upgrade. The first two aircraft were test flown at Hoedspruit. More were received through 2007, building up to a reported fleet of eight aircraft. These included TR-KMN/236, TR-KMO/244 and TR-KMP/217. My build represents TR-KMP/217. I had started it as my contribution to the recent French Fancy GB but it was a non-finisher. I therefore moved it to the WIP section. It was built using the Special Hobby F1AZ kit as a basis, with a very little aftermarket addition. Initially my plan was to use the LF decal set but I found that to be woefully lacking in accuracy. It also is not comprehensive enough to build an accurate model. I therefore drew them myself and had Arctic Decal print them for me. It adds a further model to my Gabon collection (AD-4N, AT-6D and Fouga Magister). What did I do or use? 1. Kit – Special Hobby Mirage F1AZ/CZ 1/72 (SH72435) 2. Decals – The Gabon-specific decals were home drawn and printed by Arctic Decals. The kit provided other details. 3. Aftermarket – Pavla MB Mk.4 Seat (as close as I could get) (S 72059) 4. Paint – The upper surfaces a Colourcoats US Tan (ACUS18) and Olive Drab BS381C-298 (ACRN35) . The lower surfaces are Colourcoats Medium Sea Grey (ACRN04). Around these I used a variety of Humbrol enamels for various details. 5. Weathering – Flory washes, including a mix of Light and Black to get a slightly darker grey for the movable areas. Tamiya Weathering powders were also used here and there. I hope you like her as much as I do. 76 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted December 17, 2021 Author Share Posted December 17, 2021 I just noticed that I forgot to paint the inner face of the windscreen . I'll get that rectified!! Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 You've done yourself proud there Martin, well worth the effort, very nice . Don't know how much longer I could have watched the build pre-primer, doing my eyes in . Stuart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio N Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 Another great model Martin, really well done ! And a very interesting subject too, I've wanted to build one for ages, very exotic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hook Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 Mighty fine! Cheers, Andre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fox1_BE Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 That is a great looking model, Martin 👍 Very interesting combination of colours on that camo. Great job, Patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vultures1 Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 Excellent work Martin, and a great choice of less-often-seen markings - well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry1954 Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 Really great result Martin. I love the finish. Well done! Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navy Bird Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 Very nicely done. The Gabonaise markings are unusual and not seen very often. I love it when a modeller chooses an unusual or obscure scheme. And I really like the shapes and stance of the Mirage F.1 - I should get my behind in gear and build one. Special Hobby is the ticket in 1:72 scale? Cheers, Bill 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAT69 Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 Excellent work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eng Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 Love this, a beautiful colour scheme. Fantastic build Eng Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomthounaojam Posted December 18, 2021 Share Posted December 18, 2021 Wow, this is Jolly good and love the choice of scheme, it is striking!!! Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted December 18, 2021 Share Posted December 18, 2021 Great work!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted December 18, 2021 Share Posted December 18, 2021 What's not to like about an F.1. especially with a scheme like that, it has come up really well, looks great. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GiampieroSilvestri Posted December 18, 2021 Share Posted December 18, 2021 Very nice! Saluti Giampiero Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in a shed Posted December 18, 2021 Share Posted December 18, 2021 Excellent! Ive been thinking about getting the South african Kitting of this one. Think I will after seeing this little beauty. Love the Gabon scheme. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sky Keg Posted December 18, 2021 Share Posted December 18, 2021 Martin………….Impressive as usual. I wonder what “obscure” type will be next. Whatever it will be, I eagerly anticipate the posting. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lightningboy2000 Posted December 18, 2021 Share Posted December 18, 2021 Excellent to see this completed. Looks very smartly painted in that cool colour scheme! Ditto wot Sky Keg says above! Look forward to what's coming next! Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForestFan Posted December 18, 2021 Share Posted December 18, 2021 That’s very smart! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Dave S Posted December 18, 2021 Share Posted December 18, 2021 Lovely! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby No Mac Posted December 18, 2021 Share Posted December 18, 2021 I can only echo what everyone else has said - it's always nice to see a Mirage is an unusual scheme. Great stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted December 18, 2021 Share Posted December 18, 2021 Nice build indeed. I like the unusual camo scheme. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mig88 Posted December 18, 2021 Share Posted December 18, 2021 Lovely Mirage F.1 and beautifully finished ! Miguel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dolphin38 Posted December 18, 2021 Share Posted December 18, 2021 Great F.1 and wonderful finish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragan_mig31 Posted December 18, 2021 Share Posted December 18, 2021 Bravo 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