Well folks, here is another superb decal sheet from Albatros Modelworks. This one is for the Mirage F.1. As with the other sheets it is available in both 1/48 and 1/72. The decals themselves are superbly printed with no registration problems and brilliant colors.  There are three full sheets and a small additional sheet for the false canopy used by some aircraft. One of the sheets is for a full set of stencils and wing walks. There is a separate instruction sheet for placement of these decals.

As with the previous sheet, there are a huge number of possible aircraft that can be done with this sheet. The artwork is superbly done, and while it has the same panel line and color shading that was so confusing on the F-104 sheet, the camo schemes of the Mirage F.1 are such that it will not be a problem.

The rather large image above, shows all the sheets you get as well as half of the possible schemes. There are Mirages on both sides of the instruction sheets. You can also see that several of the insignia and unit markings are printed as several decals to prevent registration problems. There are also enough extra numbers and letters to allow any one of a large number of aircraft to be modeled. Here is what is on the sheet:

• South Africa: there are three basic schemes for the F.1. The original green and brown over grey scheme, a green and brown over blue-grey and an air superiority scheme of several greys in an interesting pattern unique to South Africa. South Africa flew both the F1-AZ and F1-CZ versions. The AZ was more of a dedicated ground attack plane without the large air intercept radar. Early F1-AZ's had a tricolor on the rudder

• Spain is another large Mirage F.1 user. There are four basic schemes for the F1 and four different variants. The F1-CE is in an overall light grey scheme. One is marked with tiger marks on the rudder and stabilizing fins.  The F1-EDA is in two browns and a light blue, while the F1-CE is in brown, tan and green uppers with a light grey under side. Finally, the F1-EE are all painted in 'standard' F1 colors of a blue grey upper with silver under colors.

• Greece has their F1-CG painted in the early air superiority colors of blue grey over silver.

• Iraq's F1-EQ is painted in two browns over a light grey as well as the standard blue grey over silver.

• Libya's F1-FD, and AD versions are painted in two greens and a tan over light grey.

• Jordan has the F1-EJ and CJ. The EJ is painted in two browns and a green over light grey similar to the Spanish F1-CE. The CJ is in a two tone grey with the darker color on the top surfaces and side.

• Morocco's Mirage F1-CH and EH are all painted in the two greens and a tan similar to one of the Libya's schemes.

As you can see, that is a heck of a lot of different camo schemes and aircraft types. Basically the Mirage F.1 came in two varieties. One has a large nose radome and the other doesn't. The biggest problem will be finding a kit in 1/48. The only one done is this scale is the long OOP ESCI kit. These command some pretty steep prices when you can find them. Perhaps someone will be able to lease the mold from Racing Champions/ERTL and get them back on the market.

With the other Albatros sheets, this one is a beauty and will soon be out of production. Get yours while the getting is good. You will not regret it.

Review copy courtesy of Albatros Modelworks. 
If your hobby shop does not carry this and other sheets, you can get them direct by visiting their website listed above. 

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