ESCI | No. 4035 | 1:48 | AMD-BA Mirage Delta 2000
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2021/22: OOB build of the vintage 70s ESCI 1/48 kit.
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OK, so I'm going to loosely base my scheme on the image used in instructions, not the directions for the kit. I believe this is the 1979 prototype livery, subsequently seen at air show displays. Mine will be inspired by this (what if) not an exact copy.
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Inspiration imagery from web. It's a cracking scheme!
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Kit is from 1978, but is still pretty sharp - and features recessed panel lines. Note condition of decals. Hmmm.... This may be fun.
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Intakes, missiles and fuel tank...
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Filler work and corrections around air intakes.
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Making good...
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Rescribing...
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Grey lining...
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OK, so what I should have done here is purchased some tape for curves. I didn't. So made my life much more difficult than it needed to be!
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I will smooth out my curves!
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I've created a circle with square edges! Ha! Ha!
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Back to smooth out the curves.
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IN PROGRESS. UPDATED: 14/6/22...
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Using mixed diluted Vallejo paint as a wash to create paintwork staining.
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The original ancient decals didn't want to behave - at all. However, wherever possible I will always endeavour to use the original kit decals. So I pushed on, using a diluted (PVA) white glue as a solution to fix - with success.
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I 100% acknowledge my idiotic mistake here! Yes, the wheels/undercarriage are the wrong way round. Completely MY BAD! Unfortunately I no longer have this model - a friend does. But when I catch-up I shall try and temporarily gain back to correct my mistake.
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Commentaires
103 17 September 2021, 08:03
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Following! I am building the italeri incarnation. Check it out, it might be helpful.
27 September 2021, 14:19
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Hi Maciej 🙂 Excellent! Will do. I have a few Mirage 2000 kits in my stash. Including the Italeri Mirage 2000c, so will indeed follow 👍
27 September 2021, 14:41
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I like the shading on the bottom and I will follow the building progress.
28 September 2021, 16:19
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Thanks Flight Line 🙂 and Stefan 🙂👍 very kind of you both to comment, I'm slower than ever on this one as trying to mop up a Spitfire, Stuka, Viggen, Eagle and a random kit bash also. Still if in doubt start another kit! 😂
29 September 2021, 21:08
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Hi Mates! 🙂 Maciej: For 'brave' see stupid in my case 😉 Hopefully it'll work out as I'll be using my normal mix of artistic licence on these vintage kit builds. Arif: Hope to do your kind comment justice 👍
30 November 2021, 16:35
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Hi mate 🙂 Hope you're well. Thanks for commenting... Yeah you're right. Lesson learnt! I looked online and almost ordered, then thought what the heck (this is supposed to be an in-between build) I'll just do it by hand and tidy-up the line afterward, what an idiot! Your suggestion is duly noted for future 🙂 👍
6 December 2021, 14:37
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It's looking better and better! Looking forward to the end result Neil!
7 January 2022, 14:09
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Thanks for your kind comments Maciej and Konrad 👍🙂 I'm getting there slowly, slowly! Got too many simultaneous builds on the go! 😜
7 January 2022, 21:13
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Hi Daniel, Simon and Maciej 🙂 thanks for commenting - I'm getting there slowly! Much appreciated mates 👍
17 January 2022, 21:34
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Gosh! More modelling masters are here! I'd better make this one count! Cheers David and Rui for your interest mates, hope to do it justice. 👍😊
7 February 2022, 22:12
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The Mirage 2000 is one of the nicest planes ever built, in my mind.
This nice sheme is original.
Well done Neil!
8 February 2022, 15:21
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Hi Hugh 🙂 yeap the Mirage family, just beautiful, agreed! 🇫🇷 thanks for your comment very kind 👍
9 February 2022, 21:31
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This must have been quite some work to work around the shortcomings of such an old kit. All the more impressive how it looks already, I really like the paint scheme! 👍
15 February 2022, 01:01
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Great work so far Neil! It certainly does not look like a walk in the park! The paint job is very well done too. A very striking M2000!
15 February 2022, 09:58
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Thanks @Charlie 🙂 That's really kind of you to say.
@Alexander - you know me, I've only got 'old stuff' in the stash that I try to make look halfway decent! Thanks for saying, that's really great of you. You're right none of these old kits usually go together easily... I haven't experienced what you guys call a shake n' bake build yet! haha! Though tbf I had more of a fit issue with the other Mirage I'm on the go with:
ESCI | No. 4030 | 1:48 | IAF Mirage IIIE DELTA Fighter | Album by djferrisbueller (1:48)
15 February 2022, 13:08
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I also have yet to experience a shake 'n' bake kit, Neil, so you're not alone 😉
15 February 2022, 17:03
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Hi Alexander - thanks. Yeah... It was a bit of a glib thing to have said on a global model building forum! When we all overcome issues with every build. Apologies 🙂 👍
15 February 2022, 17:35
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No offense taken Neil, just a humorous remark. 😄
You obviously seem to have pleasure in tackling these kinds of kits, so go for it 👍
15 February 2022, 19:14
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Hi Franck and Guy 🙂 thanks for the like and comments, very kind of you 👍 I'm on lacquer coating at the moment prior to trying to apply the (a bit) rotten original vintage decals, we'll see how it goes! 😂 Fingers crossed 🤞
27 March 2022, 21:28
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Bravo Neil. I don't do pointy jetty things myself, but this looks classy and really slick to me. Plus bonus points for using COP (Crappy Old Plastic!)
3 May 2022, 20:32
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Hi Neil, thanks for commenting 🙂 very kind of you. Yes, I love a 'pointy jetty thing'! And... COP too! 😂 I think you've just about perfectly summed up the Mirage family, they're deffo pointy and absolutely jetty mate! 👍
5 May 2022, 20:00
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How have I missed this??? Fantastic work on this demanding kit and scheme, Neil!
6 May 2022, 06:20
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Hi Robert 🙂 Hope you're well. Thanks for your comment it's much appreciated... I'm getting there, slowly... Although, last night I had a minor undercarriage collapse/disaster - some of these ancient kits tend to fight me! I can see why many use the posh metal stuff in their builds. Hopefully I can fix, as spent a lot of time on this so far 👍
6 May 2022, 12:03
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That's very kind of you both 🙂 thanks for saying that and thanks for the likes guys 👍
7 May 2022, 12:05
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Hi All, Here's another build I started (and actually finished) yonks ago; back in 2022 that I've now added final reveal imagery for...
It's my interpretation of that famous Mirage 2000 colour scheme. I enjoyed this build very much, it's a pretty good fitting kit for an oldie too. As I've said on here before I have a bit of a soft spot for ESCI kits, in my youth a 1/72 scale ESCI was an affordable choice, so I still enjoy building them in this larger scale.
I endeavoured to rein in my weathering on this occasion, as it's a demo scheme. So there is minimal panel line accenting. Of course (I'm guilty!) it's not completely accurate either, but it is thereabouts according to the kit paint guide.
Thanks to all who took time to comment on my efforts and who liked. I hope you like the finished result - it's been a long time coming - taken me forever to update some of these albums. As always you're very kind to comment on my weird fascination with building these 'oldies' rather than putting my efforts into building a proper modern kit! 👍🙂
19 April, 13:39
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Very nice painting job and good looking result ! But I notice a small mistake : main landing gear wheels are not looking inboard on the 2000, but outboard just like the Mirage III/5 ; only the 4000 is that way. Not a big deal to correct.
19 April, 23:53
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Thanks Maciej, Mis Franconian and Rui, you're all welcome here and very kind of you each to comment 😊👍 T Ber, thanks very much also. My gosh! How did I manage to do that and never notice when building? Unfortunately, It won't be simple to correct my mistake as this build has gone to a new home with a friend - I may keep conveniently quiet about my daft mistake! But I do appreciate your detail, I can't believe I did that... It looks so obvious now I relook. DOH! 😣 I've got the kit in the stash again, so rest assured next time I'll get them the right way round! Haha!
20 April, 00:15
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Hi Robert, Vincent and Neuling 🙂 thanks very much indeed. I agree with you Vincent, it's a lovely scheme and considering the kit is from the 70s it's also pretty decent. Though not the easiest I've painted/masked so far, it's all curves and stripes 👍
@Neuling, you're right, unfortunately my wife bans me from displaying them more or less! 😂 So they have to either be given away or sold. I still can't believe I did what I did! I may try and gain back from my friend to fix.
20 April, 09:17
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I can´t dispute the fact that you love your wife more than your builds, it´s the way it has to be, I think. 🙂
20 April, 09:25
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You're right my friend. It's gotta be that way. I don't think my military builds fit in with her idea for our house look/decor unfortunately 😜 Though I get away with a few displayed in my son's bedroom, he's more accommodating! Haha 👍
20 April, 09:34
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Cheers Mark! Very kind matey 🙂 They are indeed a sweet shape, before you even slap any paint on. Bit like a Spit... What! What!
16 May, 09:11
Album info
The Dassault Mirage 2000 is a French multirole, single-engine, fourth-generation jet fighter manufactured by Dassault Aviation. It was designed in the late 1970s as a lightweight fighter to replace the Mirage III for the French Air Force (Armée de l'air).