Mirage 2000N

Desert Marlin
The REEDOAK 3D Printed Pilots are awesome!

Desert Marlin
This project will have both pilots on the intercom and watching the engine startup process. That is why the same type figure is used in both cockpits. They both monitor the engine to ensure that the EGT and RPM is increasing appropriately. Each has their hand on the control stick to be able to open their MIC as they confirm everything is normal at start. The plan is to have the aircraft loaded with a Nuke (Apache Cruise Missile?). Seems appropriate to me for the days we live in now...

Desert Marlin
Have to pause this one until I get the BIG ED kit #33216...

Treehugger
Maybe go for resin seats as well?
Seems like kit plastic never can compete with resin seats. 🙂

Though, I no longer crave for resin interior for the cockpit because of the work, but seats are ok.

Desert Marlin
I'll paint these up and see if I can tolerate them. If they are too bland, I have time to change my mind! Thanks for the idea!

Desert Marlin
Great video of the weapon that goes with this version of the Mirage 2000N

Youtube Video

Desert Marlin
Time to return to the 2000N... Let's Nuke something!

Desert Marlin
I got the ResKit Mirage 2000N Cockpit Set (Detailed Version).

Desert Marlin
As I have begun work on this kit, I am yet again struck by the lack of information in the variations and options provided in the kit. For example, the tail tip is not called out that applies to the 2000N version. While the nose of the 2000D is provided in the kit, it has to be modified to make it correct for the 2000N. Oh bother…

Desert Marlin
Selected "most appropriate" tail tip and mounted the correct nose to fuselage.

Desert Marlin
Okay, now I'm excited to get some paint on this cockpit!!! ResKit, you guys have done some great work with your 3D Resin Printing!

Desert Marlin
I'm back to it!

Treehugger
Oh, did you fiddle with the nose part to make it match the N version, or did you have to buy aftermarket nose for the N version? I have this kit in my stash, but haven't really looked any it yet.

Desert Marlin
I'm using the D nose but converting it to an N version. I'm also closing the "sucker doors" on the inlets to represent an engine that is not yet started... I'm assuming initial hydraulic power is applied from the APU and auxiliary hydraulic pumps have brought the gear door up. I'm going to close the speed breaks for pre-engine start configuration...

Eric Thornton
Looks like BAM has some corrected noses still need the N one. Maybe reach out to him. I could use the corrected nose for this kit also. The Reskit stuff looks amazing.

bam-models.com/produ..2000-corrected-nose/

Desert Marlin
Thanks for the heads up! The BAM nose looks fantastic! Sadly, the 2000N nose has a pitot tube and does not have the RDY antenna lines. It seems that much of the 2000N systems are somewhat earlier than the -5 systems. Everything I can find on the 2000N seems to be somewhat austere compared with the 2000-5. The ResKit cockpit is worth every penny!

Mr D
Like it 😀👍
Nice when the pilot looks like he's actually doing something and engaged with the craft.

Desert Marlin
Thanks. It's really sad to remove detail from the ejection seat, but that is the only way to get the pilot in place...

Ben M
The pilot looks amazing.

Desert Marlin
The pilot is from REEDOAK. They have several different figures in various poses so the realism can be developed based on the aircraft scenario. This model is being build to represent events just prior to engine start.

Desert Marlin
Remaining cockpit items:
1. Glass
2. Decals on seats
3. A little more weathering
4. Fix pilot's France Flag
5. Add WSO's Right shoulder patch
6. Check that I can get the canopy actuators in after everything is assembled...
7. Add HUD glass

Martin
Cool project! I have my Popcorn ready, so I'll follow closely!

Laurent VILLANUEVA HELLER ForEver
great

Mr James
Great detail

Desert Marlin
The glass and HUD went in great! I had to lightly sand the edge of the glass to get it to fit snugly into the ResKit frame between the front and back seats. I used 1000 grit and lightly buffed all the way around the edge. Fits perfectly!

Desert Marlin
Cockpit is done! Looks like the ResKit cockpit tub fits perfectly! Lots of trimming to get the crew in the proper fit. Right now, I think it's ready for final checks before fuselage join. The forward control panel needs some sanding for fit, but it does work. I have left the seats, pilots and control panels loose until final fuselage join just to have "wiggle room" before closing. I was able to adjust the forward control stick to make it match the pilot's hand more closely. Just need to check a few more things and then join the fuselage halves!

CaptGPF
The pilots are only as good as the paint job - which is AWESOME!

Desert Marlin
Thanks Mate!

Guy Rump
Looking great, pilots are outstanding. 👍

Desert Marlin
Thanks! I can't believe this version of the 2000 is so "old"...

Mr D
Going to be a beauty 👌😃👍

Desert Marlin
Started cleaning the canopies…

Desert Marlin
Got the frames for the canopies!

Laurent VILLANUEVA HELLER ForEver
attention aux couleurs sur les notices kinetic etc , certaines sont fausses!

John
Following with interest! 👍

Desert Marlin
Laurent: Oui Monsieur!

Dave Flitton
The pilots look like they are impatiently waiting for you to finish the aircraft so that they can fly!

Paul Eden
Cockpit and figures are next level. Excellent.

Desert Marlin
I got the canopy frames in the mail. The "detchord" in the forward canopy is perfect!

Mr D
Done a really smart job on cockpit n pilots 😁👍
It will be show peice of the Aircraft so worth the effort,
Did you have decals for the green display screen's ??

Mark Sherwood
Cockpit and pilot and nav/weapons, exquisite.

Desert Marlin
Screens are aluminum paint with clear green over the aluminum.

Gary Victory
Very nice work on the cockpit and pilots.

Michael Kohl
Absolutely

Desert Marlin
Thanks All ...

Desert Marlin
The Eduard Mask kit makes the process pretty easy!

Mr D
Nice 👍👍 such a smart aircraft good scale to showcase the details 👌

Desert Marlin
Aye! 😃👍

Desert Marlin
IJN Green is NOT the correct green for these planes. Sorry Kitty Hawk, just not right...

Mr D
Very nice 👍👍

Desert Marlin
Small Disaster. Soured Paint/Gloss has occurred. I'm a little bummed. It takes longer to get everything finished!

Desert Marlin
Using water and a paper towel(s), I am able to verify where the soured paint/gloss has occurred. It has to be removed since the decal process will definitely find the errors during application. If the coating cannot stand water, it will never support the markings...

Mr James
Oh dear... looks like you got away without too many bruises 🙂

Desert Marlin
So far so good...

Desert Marlin
Panel lines and shading tomorrow!

Desert Marlin
Panel line accent applied. Need to review and clean up anything out of place and then apply some poly to get ready for markings! Also need to fix the wing slats on the left wing. The method for mounting these slats is really weak...

Desert Marlin
A little more is done...

Desert Marlin
Kitty Hawk Decals are what they are.

Desert Marlin
Pretty much done. I need to research a little bit, but there is history between the USA and France where the indigenous peoples are concerned. Suffice it to say that this image of an Indigenous Chief at the Wailing Wall and this particular Mirage 2000N seem to intersect just a little bit.

Desert Marlin
More pictures tomorrow evening. The build is essentially done at this point so more pictures are needed! Cheers!

Desert Marlin
This was a pretty difficult build.