SAAF Mirage F1AZ, 1 Squadron 1980's

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The decals is in a surprisingly good condition for a 37 year old kit. Edit: The decals disintegrated when trying to use them, time has taken it's toll on them. 

 

 

The wheel wells are designed for the Kitty Hawk model, but will make it fit here. 

The Eduard PE set has some nice detail for the air brake bays, so will have to scratch build the bays first. 

 

 

 

The wheel wells are a bit bigger for this kit, but it's ok. Still looking a lot better than the kit's wells. 

 

The Res/Kit exhaust nozzle is a bit too small for the kit, it was designed for the Kitty Hawk model. 

The ScaleWorx exhaust nozzle isn't bad and fits nicely, but will use the Res/Kit one as it's more detailed. 

 

 

 

 

 

Added some riveting as the kit has none. 

Air brakes and air brake wells completed. 

 

 

 

 

Completed the wheel wells first because once the wings are in place it will be difficult to get to the main gear wells to paint. 

Added a HUD. 

Inside of canopy painted and masked. 

The two fuselage pieces joined. 

The air intakes were rounded in the corners. 

 

 

 

 

More filling and sanding needed. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Primer applied. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ready for a gloss coat before decals. 

 

The print on the decals is misaligned, will have to paint these. 

 

A build wouldn't be complete without me breaking something...in this case the starboard missile rail. 

 

 

I had to make my own ejection seat handles as I broke the originals, and they then disappeared into the carpet never to be seen again.