Monogram Dassault Mirage 2000
Comments
gorbyNice photos Gary, but again, I can see this is an earlier build. It's good, but it doesn't have the panache of your recent stuff. Lovely looking aircraft though.
What builds are ongoing in the 'GB Living Museum's' work area at the moment Gary, anything interesting?
Gary BrantleyThanks my friend! Yeah, she's not as realistically weathered as the newer builds. I've learned a few tricks for dealing with those old raised panel lines Monogram was so fond of since I did this one too.
I've been occupied with a couple maintenance projects out at our ranch lately. That, and a bit of a rifle project as well have kept me busy. A close friend gave my a Chinese SKS a couple weeks ago and I've been getting that done to my tastes. I like those rifles, that makes my fourth...🙂
I believe my next build will be the Tamiya F4U-A1 Corsair. I'm still trying to psyche myself up for that Bugatti Type 35 too! Might do a bit of detailing on that one.
Scott DuttonGreat work, I had a second look at the finished photo because I thought it was the photo you based model on as your photography blends nice model in so realistically, well done
Gary BrantleyThanks so much Scott! Yeah, sometimes the twin gods of scale modeling and photography give me a break and a couple pics turn out the way I want.;)
Thanks a lot for your comment Scott !🙂
Scott DuttonHave to ask, how is it done. The tarmac I think is a model product/paperwork? But the hangar, a real hangar photoshopped in or a model. Really is excellent.
Gary BrantleyThe "tarmac" is a piece of 1/4" Masonite board. It's sprayed with a car trunk(boot?) paint that gives it the speckled, concrete look. The tar-strip "joints" are drafting tape and the oil spots are thinned enamel. The board is placed on a folding card table, with the model on top. The table is placed at various spots at the Cameron Municipal Airport, utilizing whichever back ground I choose. My camera is on a tripod, placed at scale "eye-level"". I use the self-timer for all but the overhead shots. By manipulating the position of the model on that table and the distance from the camera, I change the perspective of the photograph. Sometimes, it works quite well. Of course, with digital photography, one can take a whole bunch of pics in search of a few good ones.
I started taking the models put there, and also at a neighboring small-town airport in Rockdale, Texas, because I really suck at indoor photography. 😉. Out there, I can't beat the beautiful natural light and what better setting for an aircraft but the airport? Well, airborne comes to mind but that's usually the "last resort",after ultimate frustration takes over! 🙂. Thanks again Scott!
gorbyIt certainly works really well Gary. For most of your models it gives them an extra added burst of 'realness' that would be very difficult to simulate indoor.
I have a small airport about fifteen minutes drive from where I live, but you aren't allowed anywhere near the hangers. 🙁
Because of your photos, I have considered making a 1/48 hanger – maybe a future project.
Gary BrantleyThe reason that I drove over to the Rockdale airport was to get some variety in the background. I do get bored with our little airport at times. I have modeling friends here in the States who are amazed at my ease of access to the airports around here. Once my purpose is explained, it's been smooth sailin'.
Making a 1/48 hangar would be a great project gorby. That should be interesting, and inspiring; hey, give it a go! 👍
Gary BrantleyThanks Timothy, I'm glad you stopped by and I appreciate your comments. 🙂
Great motivation for me for sure. 👍
Album info
The model is the Monogram 1/48 Mirage 2000, the instructions are dated 1986. I built the kit somewhere between ’93 and ’95. It had never been photographed at all until last Tuesday. 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’m trying to change that attitude now.
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 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 si