Armée de l’Air Mirage III/5 colours

[drake122]

2 hours ago, Hook said:

The only source I'm aware of is Carpena 72.08. Happy hunting!

 

Cheers,

 

Andre

Thanks. I also found out HPM Hobbies have a 2 seater boxing with Zaire AF decals, but difficult to obtain, just as the other decal sheet, I guess.

 

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/high-planes-models-hpk072103-dassault-mirage-iiid-5dm--211329

[RidgeRunner]

On 10/31/2024 at 3:16 PM, drake122 said:

Zaire Mirages have beautiful color scheme indeed, but where can one obtain decals for them?

PM sent

[RidgeRunner]

5 hours ago, drake122 said:

Thanks. I also found out HPM Hobbies have a 2 seater boxing with Zaire AF decals, but difficult to obtain, just as the other decal sheet, I guess.

 

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/high-planes-models-hpk072103-dassault-mirage-iiid-5dm--211329

Now out of production. Even HPM don’t have any -I have asked

[PhantomBigStu]

Welll I’ve stumbled on a new set of chips from a source I trust that suggests everything I’ve posted here re the grey is wrong, but does fit with the common believe the grey is close to F36152, as the new chip is indeed close to that, however I’m pleased the green is even closer match for the two paints I suggested. 

Edited January 4 by PhantomBigStu

[RidgeRunner]

9 hours ago, PhantomBigStu said:

Welll I’ve stumbled on a new set of chips from a source I trust that suggests everything I’ve posted here re the grey is wrong, but does fit with the common believe the grey is close to F36152, as the new chip is indeed close to that, however I’m pleased the green is even closer match for the two paints I suggested. 

Thanks Stu. I had settled on FS36152 and FS34079, although Vallejo’s Bronze Green comes up well against AFNOR references. It has a little of the brown that the green seems to have, particularly when sun bleached. My next challenge is finding a close match for the “moss” green used on Zaire Mirage 5s :). So, far, I have got close with Life Color UA504 (RLM02).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy New Year, mate!

 

Martin

[PhantomBigStu]

Here are my infographics, as said revell aqua 42 and humbrol 163 are really good for the green, as long as its not too green a 34079 is still ok. Grey is still problematic (great for me as I'm planning a mirage iii using it), now its daylight I'm not convinced by the chip looking at the real thing it looks darker on the real thing, also looks bluer but thats standard for lot of greys, they look bluer on real planes and models vs the raw chips 

Edited January 5 by PhantomBigStu

[Soumcouy]

From French magazine Wing Masters, N°94, Mirage IIIE

Prince August acrylic range :

Gris moyen : P053 (Gunship Gray)

Vert : P013

Cheers

[RidgeRunner]

8 hours ago, Soumcouy said:

From French magazine Wing Masters, N°94, Mirage IIIE

Prince August acrylic range :

Gris moyen : P053 (Gunship Gray)

Vert : P013

Cheers

Thanks Soumcouy. Medium Gunship Gray is close, as is Basalt Grey. 

[PhantomBigStu]

Paints made for Gunship grey shouldn't be close, its objectivity a lighter grey on the mirage vs an f-15, particularly on modern images you can really see its a lighter shade......Im still no closer t any idea what to use

[Paul Lucas]

On 05/01/2025 at 11:01, PhantomBigStu said:

Here are my infographics, as said revell aqua 42 and humbrol 163 are really good for the green, as long as its not too green a 34079 is still ok. Grey is still problematic (great for me as I'm planning a mirage iii using it), now its daylight I'm not convinced by the chip looking at the real thing it looks darker on the real thing, also looks bluer but thats standard for lot of greys, they look bluer on real planes and models vs the raw chips 

So if I understand this correctly, you're happy with Humbrol 163 to represent A 615, but can't decide how to represent A 610 that you think looks something like FS 36173 / BS 381C No.629 Dark Camouflage Grey?

 

If this is correct, may I suggest that you look at Humbrol No.156?

[PhantomBigStu]

3 minutes ago, Paul Lucas said:

So if I understand this correctly, you're happy with Humbrol 163 to represent A 615, but can't decide how to represent A 610 that you think looks something like FS 36173 / BS 381C No.629 Dark Camouflage Grey?

 

If this is correct, may I suggest that you look at Humbrol No.156?

I'm not 100% conviced the chip for A610 is correct given just how blue the grey looks on the real thing though admiteldy if its not a610 there is no other grey in the AFNOR range it could be, I forgot to add paints to the chip before, humbrol 156 is actually slightly darker than the chip 

[Bozothenutter]

On 1/5/2025 at 12:01 PM, PhantomBigStu said:

Here are my infographics, as said revell aqua 42 and humbrol 163 are really good for the green, as long as its not too green a 34079 is still ok. Grey is still problematic (great for me as I'm planning a mirage iii using it), now its daylight I'm not convinced by the chip looking at the real thing it looks darker on the real thing, also looks bluer but thats standard for lot of greys, they look bluer on real planes and models vs the raw chips 

They look more blue because well, the sky is blue.

This was an exercise at photography school.

Keep exposure the same, photograph the same subject in full sun, half sun, full shadow, and see what it does to the colour.

Full shadow turns blue the most.....

 

This is why analysers are so valuable,  they use the same, calibrated light source.

[tempestfan]

On 1/6/2025 at 8:40 AM, RidgeRunner said:

Thanks Soumcouy. Medium Gunship Gray is close, as is Basalt Grey. 

 

15 minutes ago, Bozothenutter said:

They look more blue because well, the sky is blue.

This was an exercise at photography school.

Keep exposure the same, photograph the same subject in full sun, half sun, full shadow, and see what it does to the colour.

Full shadow turns blue the most.....

 

This is why analysers are so valuable,  they use the same, calibrated light source.

I think Gunship Gray (or Grey?) is a "pure" grey, while all the NATO Tactical greys are blue greys. I am pretty convinced Gris Moyen is the bluest of the three (but not a lot bluer than DSG), with Basaltgrau the greyest. If it makes a practical difference on a 1/72 model is another matter - after all, the scheme was designed to have a degree of uniformity, and as has been mentioned upthread, the colours used were basically similar, be they DG/Gelboliv/Vert Foncé or DSG/Basaltgrau/Gris Moyen. A IIIE would likely look convincing if painted in DSG/DG (but not HU 30...).

[PhantomBigStu]

Interesting and surprisingly given vallejo employ a colour blind baboon their take on FS36173 is actually really close to A610, I have AK's fs36173 on order so hopefully that is suitable as well 

[RidgeRunner]

2 hours ago, PhantomBigStu said:

Interesting and surprisingly given vallejo employ a colour blind baboon their take on FS36173 is actually really close to A610, I have AK's fs36173 on order so hopefully that is suitable as well 

Agreed

[PhantomBigStu]

5 hours ago, Bozothenutter said:

They look more blue because well, the sky is blue.

This was an exercise at photography school.

Keep exposure the same, photograph the same subject in full sun, half sun, full shadow, and see what it does to the colour.

Full shadow turns blue the most.....

 

This is why analysers are so valuable,  they use the same, calibrated light source.

Remembering now an experience I had at RIAT years ago  seeing the mod eagle blue grey fs36176 in the static park, a grey in the cloud, a blue grey in the overcast rain and a blue in the sun. 

Edited January 7 by PhantomBigStu

[PhantomBigStu]

On 1/7/2025 at 7:43 PM, PhantomBigStu said:

Interesting and surprisingly given vallejo employ a colour blind baboon their take on FS36173 is actually really close to A610, I have AK's fs36173 on order so hopefully that is suitable as well 

 

Its arrived, I don't have the ability to objectivity measure it but by eye I like what I've received and will be using it in the heller GB

[Creepy Pete]

FWIW, this is what Humbrol 163 and 27 looks like, after some gloss and a VMS satin coat, and some weathering. I don't think it looks too off.

 

[PhantomBigStu]

1 hour ago, Creepy Pete said:

FWIW, this is what Humbrol 163 and 27 looks like, after some gloss and a VMS satin coat, and some weathering. I don't think it looks too off.

 

 

Assume that is enamel, I ordered some of the current acrylic and its too dark and also lacks the blue hint, I think I've said humbrol 163 is good in actylic so good to see enamel is equally good 

[Creepy Pete]

Yes, enamel, and certainly the 27 is not a recent tin. It might be 20 years old by now, who knows.

[stevehnz]

2 hours ago, PhantomBigStu said:

Assume that is enamel, I ordered some of the current acrylic and its too dark and also lacks the blue hint, I think I've said humbrol 163 is good in actylic so good to see enamel is equally good 

Fwiw, I'm finding that the paint in the Humbrol Arylic dropper bottles almost invariably drys darker than the enamels I have, both older & more recent(blue white labels)

Steve.

[ScheF15]

On 10/29/2024 at 2:05 PM, Rob de Bie said:

The grey parts matched FS 26152 on a 'fresh' part, and FS 26373-26293 on a 'bleached' part.

 

Any suggestions for the green parts, @Rob de Bie?

 

Cheers,

Rob

[Rob de Bie]

12 hours ago, ScheF15 said:

 

Any suggestions for the green parts, @Rob de Bie?

 

Cheers,

Rob

 

Nope. I remember only checking the gray part, and not being happy with that. I guess I couldn't find a 'reliable' area of green on the rather worn aircraft. Unfortunately.

Rob

[ScheF15]

Pity, but thanks anyway.

 

Cheers,

Rob

[Antoine]

Hi guys, 

 

I didn't check at which episode you stopped this serie, but it's way late here, and  time to go to bed, so it'll be quick!

I'm absolutely no specialist on French aircraft and their colors colours, and about 99% of my modeling concern  non french aircraft with non french cocardes!!!

 

But.... but.... I've got a great friend, and neighbour, known as Phil 42 among French modellers, and he loves Mirages (and Phantom too II).

Most  important, he paint them since the early 80's with Humbrols! (Yes he does!)

 

For the Mirage III/5 series, he always told me that he use Humbrol 163 and 164.

And to make it short, here's Humbrol's range in pdf address  , and a picture of what you need to see, followed by a picture of one of his model (A 5F).

And here's a link where you  can see more of those.

Please let me know what you think, and if you've questions or need precisions, I'll try to reach him first thing tomorrow morning.