FCM Decals # 72033: Mirage Part 1
Units: See Review

Price

$

Reviewer:

Scott Van Aken

A real favorite of mine when it comes to jets is the Mirage III/V. These delta wing jets started out as interceptors, but were also developed into quite effective fighter bombers as seen by their use by Argentina and Israel.  The aircraft was a very good seller in both the new and second-hand aircraft market with many nations purchasing variants that were customized to their specific requirements.

This new sheet by FCM in 1/72 scale, covers three aircraft from various forces over the years.

The first one is a Mirage IIIE BR as first delivered to Brazil in the 1970s. The aircraft is an overall aluminum with the large red intake flashes and the Brazilian rudder stripes. Brazilian aircraft have the dorsal extension that carries a radio antenna if memory serves me correctly.

Next is what appears to be an ex-Belgian AF Mirage 5M that has been upgraded just prior to retirement from the BAF with canards. The aircraft was sold to Chile and is in the standard BAF paint scheme, which is the old US SEA scheme. Several serial options are provided for this scheme.

The third scheme is a Lebanese Mirage IIIE L from 1970. This aircraft also has the dorsal fin extension. These aircraft were flown very little, spending most of their time in storage. I'm not sure who bought them, but they got some rather low time airframes. Painted in the standard French AF scheme of the time of green/grey upper surfaces with aluminum undersides.

For kits, there are two suggested. One is the Heller kit and the other the PJ Production resin kit. Some modification will be required to properly do the Chilean version but it is not beyond the capabilities of most modelers. I would also think that perhaps the long out of production Revell kit would be useful for the Mirage IIIE versions.

The sheet itself is superbly printed by Microscale so you know the quality is good. There are enough common markings to do all of the subjects from the look of things. The full color instructions give not only profiles but upper and lower views as well so one can get the colors and markings just right. No specific paint company info is provided and all colors provided are generic.

It all makes for a very nicely done sheet that you should seriously consider for your next Mirage build. I only wish there was a Tamiya or Hasegawa quality kit available in this scale. Perhaps one of these days.  

Thanks to FCM for providing the review sheet. Visit them at the link for information on retailers carrying their sheets.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and quickly, please contact me or see other details in the Note to Contributors.