Characteristics:

21cm x 29.7 cm, 112 pages, bilingual French/English, 310 color pictures, 2 b/w
5 pages of 1/72 drawings, 10 pages on Heraldry, 7 color profiles.

 The publisher of the French well-known modelling magazine REPLIC launch a new serie called Check list.

This time it’s a “data file” design for modeller that inspire the authors.

Aside the Mirage III, the Mirage F1 has certainly been the best export market aircraft of the Dassault firm, and very few books have been written about this amazing pure arrow wing fighter, a “pause” in the delta line developed by the constructor. As everyone knows, the delta’s had full advantages in the 60’, but also required high landing speed. On a national AF program, the constructor reply with conventional sweep wing and double gear (as Jaguar from SEPECAT) for unprepared airfield requirements. This beautiful aircraft, a real Dart in sleek version is still operational after 30 years of loyal service, in France and around the world in some countries (export customer were :Equador-Jordan-Kuwait-Libia-Morroco-Quatar-Spain-South Africa).

This volume is cleverly written in French AND English (not only pictures legends) and will not disappointed international readers. Except the “Dassault Mirage: The Combat Log” by Schiffer and the old “Minigraph” issue (with wrong 1/72 scale drawings), nothing had been written since the ’80 years. This title is more than an update about the fighter subject, as it cover the all versions known up today that are show in the following sequence order. After the typical presentation the next 12 pages are a walkaround of the aircraft, showing the common parts to the F1C/B/CR/CT variants, inside and outside; from nose to parachute housing, with an attention to the gears and seats. The picture details is neat and good, thought sometimes, they looks a bit dark or too contrasted. After that, the study really start with the single seat fighter version , called F1C (C for “Chasse” fighter). 20 pages devoted to the metropolitan blue air superiority scheme, foreign campaigns in “vanillia-chocolate” and “jam-café” amazing liveries, and special paintings for disbanded squadron and tiger meet shows. You’ll discover aircraft on ground and in air to air pictures. Special close up also cover the fighter details with useful cockpit shots.

The next is the F1B (B for “Biplace”, 2 seater training). In 10 pages you’ll find the same lay out as above for the C version (very useful for the FM 1/48 and Heller 1/72 kits). At this stage you’ll consider that what you just see are additional info on already covered matters, but the other part is really new for fellows.

The authors continue with the recon version called F1CR(R for “reconnaissance”, recon), only in use with French air force, easy to distinguish from the fighter with it’s under nose “drop” blister camera. Very interesting are the details pictures of the cockpit and the camera bay, open with the camera materials. Aside the typical Nato grey/green camouflage, the desert pattern also appear in war campaigns and on Red flag in the ’90. The last version covered, not very known out of France is the CT version (CT for “Chasse Tactique” tactical fighter). Almost a fighter –bomber version, very impressive with its underload made of rockets, ECM, fuel tanks, bombs…(a MUST  again for 1/72 Heller, and Italeri/Esci 1/48 kits). A break in the pics sequence is made then with 2 pages full of 7 color artwork before diving in the external loads and armament development.

For modellers, 5 pages of drawings follow the pictures to modify or adjust the kits on the markets, with top, bottom and side views.

The French aircrafts have their rudders painted with their heraldry, an historical tradition from WWI and II. They mostly bear the name of a “province” (county). You’ll discover at this occasion 25 different drawings from 1973 to 1993. But what can we do without a pilot? A page is devoted to the man –in-the-machine with color details of the French equipment (useful, I repeat…useful..). And if you really want an exotic bird the final 5 pages will show you the foreign customers in they liveries. (great decal sheet by Albatros called “dark mirage” in 1/72 and 1/48 scale!).

In summary, it’s evident that this volume is a MUST for modeller and/or fans of the beautiful Mirage F1 aircraft.

Jump on it!

 Contact in France, DTU at : dtu.sarl@wanadoo.fr

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