Dream Model 1/72 Mirage 2000N

The Mirage 2000N was the nuclear strike variant which was intended to carry the Aerospatiale Air-Sol Moyenne Portee (ASMP) nuclear stand-off missile. Initial flight tests of two prototypes began on 3 February 1983, and the Mirage 2000N entered operational service in 1988. A total of 75 were built. The fighter had strengthened wings for low-altitude operations, as well as low-level precision navigation/attack systems, built around the Dassault/Thales Antilope 5 radar, which was designed for the strike role and featured a terrain-avoidance capability.

The ASMP missile is 5.38 meters long with a kerosene-powered ramjet that allows it to cruise at Mach 3 to a maximum range of 100 km carrying a nuclear warhead with a yield of 300 kt.

The 2000N was based on the two seat Mirage 2000B trainer, an airframe that was also used for the 2000D conventional strike aircraft. Both variants had all new mission specific equipment. While the 2000N and the 2000C have been retired from service with many airframes being used for spares, France is upgrading extant 2000Ds for service until 2030 when France will rely solely on the Rafale for strike/fighter roles.

Dream Model is one of many smaller Chinese manufacturers. The kit comes in a large, flat box with well molded parts and a single 3D printed part. There is also a photo etch fret for the seat harnesses. It is obvious from the sprues that these parts are part of multiple boxingings as there are bits that are duplicated to some extent that are very much not used on this kit. There is no parts layout guide, which is a bit unusual for a modern model kit.

The cockpit has a full tub into which the two seats plus all the attached p.e. is fit. All the instrument panels and consoles have decals. The one 3D printed resin part is for the blast shield between the seats. One then moves on to assembling the nose gear and attaching it to the gear well. Intakes are next followed by the Rafael missiles and then the exhaust. A targeting pod, fuel tanks, and LGB are then build.

We return to the airframe by assembling the wing then installing the interior, exhaust and nose gear well into the fuselage halves. Next the intakes are attached along with the separate fin tip and fuselage spine. Oddly there is a three piece clear assembly, but it is designed to be installed with all the transparencies closed.

The main gear legs and wheels are then installed followed by the the gear doors and nose cone. Finally, one attaches the various weapons and burner can. The tailhook is a p.e. part that has to be attached to a piece cut away from a prievious part. The last thing that is shown is the assembly of the AMST nuclear missile. In reality, one would not build the targeting pod or the LGB if using the missile.

Instructions are a single sheet of paper with the 24 construction steps written on both sides. The color references are in Gunze paints. A full color camouflage and markings sheet is included. One option is the box art plane that celebrates the retirement of the Mirage 2000 in French service. The decals are extensive for this. The other is a standard line bird in dark green/dark grey over silver. The printing on this latter scheme is very dark and difficult to make out. The decal sheet is very nicely done. 

Many years ago, I built the Heller Mirage 2000N. On that build, I used a variety of Carpena decal sheets to duplicate the markings of a desert scheme aircraft that I saw in a magazine. The model turned out OK, but it wasn't  the best fitting kit I've ever built. Since then, there have been others in this scale, but this one looks to be the best of the lot. At least it has nice detail without being fiddly and should make into a very nice replica.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dassault_Mirage_2000N/2000D

January 2024

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