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Nathan Dempsey
There's another classic kit. Looking good so far. I'm following 👀

Clifford Keesler
Welcome Nathan.

Clifford Keesler
This one has the wing tips and vertical fin painted and is all primed.

Desert Marlin
Looking good!

Clifford Keesler
Thank you very much Desert Marlin.

Clifford Keesler
Decals finished and final clear coat applied. Next weathering. Pictures tomorrow hopefully.

Nathan Dempsey
The next project is up and running. This one will likely get a slow start as there's another hurricane headed my way…

Nathan Dempsey
Well we survived that darn hurricane and had power restored yesterday by some fine Canadian fellows from Nova Scotia. The project continues with some progress to the fuselage.

Clifford Keesler
Watching. Glad you weathered the hurricane ok. Did not know you were in Florida. I am a transplanted Florida guy. I am from Panama City. Was down there the end of August, first time I had been back since 2001. Hurricane Michael sure messed up the place, but they have rebuilt a lot. The house I lived in from 1995-2001 no longer exist, hurricane Michael leveled it.

Nathan Dempsey
We were part of mandatory evac. I sent the family away and stayed since my parents are next door in a 100 year old frame home. We were lucky and had minimal damage. We just lost large oaks and our entire cow field was a shallow lake. Power was out for a while but I'm used to living simple during such times. Yeah Michael was a monster.

The plastic in this kit is quite fragile. Getting parts off the tree cleanly is quite difficult. Very happy with the ResKit parts! They are very clean and easy to prepare.

Nathan Dempsey
More work today included adding etched parts to the rear fuselage and filling large holes intended for oversized antennas. Will be replacing all antennas with etched parts or thin plastic sheet.

Clifford Keesler
Looking good Nathan. Glad you only had minor damage, and all is well.

Clifford Keesler
I have 2 ESCI Mirage 2000's wonder if they are the same as the Heller kit?

Nathan Dempsey
Thank you sir! The Heller kit is the same as the Eduard kit. I believe the ESCI kit is now the Italeri kit.

Clifford Keesler
OK, thanks. Any way I have 2, hope they are good.

Nathan Dempsey
Work continues. Today I added some etched hydraulic lines to the rear landing gear. Preparation begins for the ResKit wheel set.

Clifford Keesler
Looking very nice sir.

Desert Marlin
Excellent work!!!

Dutch
Nathan, I love checking in from time to time, (super busy with Hurricane Helene and Milton recovery at the house and the rented house.). Anyway, glad to see you start this project. Did you ever build the Monogram Mirage 2000 and ESCI Jaguar I sold you? K/r, Dutch

Nathan Dempsey
Thanks Clifford & Desert!

Dutch: Same here. Still cutting downed trees and burning it all. Too much to place by the streets. The Mirage waits in the stash and the Jag was built as a close copy of my Kosovo build and given to a friend.

Nathan Dempsey
Added some photos of continuing work which includes more paint work on the landing gear and exhaust, the addition of the painted ejection seat to the cockpit & the completed external fuel tank.

Clifford Keesler
Beautiful work.

Desert Marlin
Looks great! I suppose you are aware that the Mirage 2000 series aircraft have the option of an arresting hook or a parachute for landing? I believe either can be installed but only one of the two depending on airfields and conditions. Referring to photo #5.

Nathan Dempsey
Thanks Clifford & thanks for the catch on that parachute housing Desert!

I found a good picture of a '91 Mirage 2000 with the bigger chaff dispenser replacing the back of that housing. I'll need to go back and file that off and change the position of all the chaff dispensers. I'll add some pictures this evening.

Laurent VILLANUEVA HELLER ForEver
je vais suivre = 2000 et daguet !

Laurent VILLANUEVA HELLER ForEver
color pit = humbrol 27
radome = 64 ,
grey 127
blue = 144 with white...

Guy Rump
Looking good, following. 👍

Nathan Dempsey
Welcome Laurent and thanks for the color info! Paint work is near.

Thanks Guy! 🙂

Desert Marlin
The chaff dispenser sits over the parachute housing and therefore the chute can still be used!

Clifford Keesler
Looking very nice Nathan.

Desert Marlin
I have had this one in my stash since 2008...

Nicolas
Following

yngvenett
I'm following this to learn

Martin Oostrom
Another tutorial one needs to watch

Gerald Sigmund
@mks: Komakais Walkaround shows meshes for the left and right intakes and none for the center one.

Bozzer
I have no idea of your subject, but I do enjoy your builds. The tutorial is always a lesson, and very informative. Keep them coming 👍

Pepe
Looking

berni
I take a seat 👍

DerMattes
Watching 👍

Johne 69
I am in too 😃

Ben M
When you thin parts, what technique do you use?

MS K
@Ben M - When I need to shave a lot, like this time, I use file.

Michael Kohl
Martin and Bozzer pointed it out. This will be fun and informative to follow.

Matteo Pescarin
Oh wow, as usual, fantastic documentation of the efforts going into this project. Chapeau to you!
Nonetheless, it makes me want to skip any Revell kit from now on... if I only didn't have any in my stash XD

MS K
@Matteo - The new mold products produced since around 2010 are generally nice quality(2CV, VW T1, 911G, Etc...) , but this product is so poorly made that it is ridiculous. I don't know what the production concept of this kit is. It is poor for a precision model, and it's not even easy to assemble.

Michael Kohl
With Revell you better check in advance how that specific kit is rated by others. They have tons of reboxes and quite a few kits where you just wanna ask: are you serious? But then, once in a while, just to show that they are able - in general - to be a serious modelling company, they release some really fine stuff. Doesn't hurt to be prepared what you're up against.

Alexander Grivonev
A true Revell car kit experience 👍 The casted on wiper is especially painful

Michael Kohl
That diffusor is a tremendous improvement.

amazon.com/dp/B00004..aps%2C163&sr=8-3
Such a tool makes such work as fitting the diffusor panels to the chassis much easier (the thinner the needles/pins, the more precise the contour).
Just a german site to give an idea.
Cheers Michael

MS K
Nice idea. I wish there was something made of insect pins thin enough to use in a plamodel.

Johne 69
Great work so far 👍

berni
A question. What Colours you would use at this kit?

MS K
@berni - The red is Italian Red, and I plan to use Cobalt Blue + Sky Blue (the instructions say to mix Ultramarine and Blue).

Denis Dogadov
I make up the silkscreen on the glass with a very thinly sliced masking tape.

[img1]
[img2]

MS K
@Denis - Yeah, I used to do it that way too, before I started using masking film.
My advice is that when masking that way, 'Tamiya masking tape for curves' is much easier than paper tape.
Youtube Video

Jv
Sure following
Love crusty builds always butiful in there own way

d hadley
Thank you Jv!

Munkyslut
Watchin……… Jv took the words right out of my mouth 😂

Bob Hall
Count me in 👍 !

d hadley
Thanks guys!

Jv
I noticed pistons in the block
a detail I haven't seen on a kit before
and not at the same hight as is correct so heads could be left of and the build would still be correct
The machineing for the valves is also a fantastic detail
Very cool kit with options I haven't seen before
Great kit I will have to look for it

d hadley
The block and valves did not come with this kit. I had them in my parts box. I wish I knew where it came from, but I have no idea. I can tell you that the block and valve heads were black and the oil pan was clear.

Jv
Ok that is sure indeed
But sure something I haventbseen before
I am sorry to say you should probably save that fo something werte you want to display that
A very interesting detail

Bob Hall
Lot of the older AMT/MPC kits came with separate cylinder head and valves. Just checked a few kits in the stash and the 1970 Super Bee and 1970 Baldwin Motion Camaro have that detailed engine.

Jv
Thanks Bob very 😎

Munkyslut
That block looks great with the piston crown detail, perfect for a garage dio ……… gonna start scouring the aftermarket now👌

Bob Hall
Build up something like this.

Munkyslut
That's perfect Bob! Remember the fantastic garage dio that Bill did?

Bob Hall
Absolutely, I'm not that talented, so that's why I picked up a few of those garage kits.

Jennifer Franklin
Following 👀

d hadley
thank you all for the great comments! JV, this is the build I was saving this block for. I have another one in my parts bin for another build in the future.

d hadley
That garage kit looks cool! I like that it is self contained. I think I might build up the barn around this Camaro in a similar fashion!

Jv
I got 2 fugimi garage kits
Just got to get a few kits with tool boxes and stuff like that
I will have to have a look in some of my amt and mpc kit for that detail

Jv
Had a look through mots of my amt and mpc kits
None which has the cool detail of showing the pistons in the block
But I did find a impala kit which has a crank shaft
And also shows the rockers

d hadley
That's cool! Which impala kit?

Jv
The amt ertl
Kit no 31760
1958 impala
It also has options of stock parts for engine or modified

Jv
I also got a few engines in a parts bin
Will have to go through them now 😆
Unfortunately I don't have much of amt or mpc kits
And most not so old

Jv
I think I just gained a new interest in amt and mpc kits 😆 🤣

Jv
Sorry Bob I had a look at the Baldwin camaro kit
Just looked at a few reviews
I was thinking if thay made a kit pree chist thay probably wouldn't change much
In the next few thousand of years
The early kits were about 2000
The kit does have rockers showing in the heads
And yes you can see what resembles pistons
But all at the same level of the bore
And the 2 pistons on each end of the block on both sides
Have lining up blocks across them
The latest kit in that family still has those details
In the case of the block D Hadley is uesing
The pistons are at different levels and there is nothing over the pistons
Further more the pistons are machined for the valve clearance

d hadley
Thanks for all that amazing detective work! So many great details!

Mr D
Nice.. great idea 👍

d hadley
Thank you Mr. D!

Bob Hall
Sweet, D ! Looks Great !!

Snake Plissken
Tires need to be flat 😉

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.