[flyXwire]

Franklin Mint 1/48 Mirage IIIS Flieger Staffel 16 Swiss AF Aircraft Stans Switzerland 1989

Franklin Mint 1/48 Mirage IIIC EC 02.013 Alpes Armee de l'Air Aircraft BA132 Colmar 1963

Credit is given to the following photos which were lifted from Burbank's House of Hobbies site.

[Fly Navy 75]

They look good, but I'm holding out for the Israeli paint scheme. The Swiss art is also nice.

[FormerViperDriver]

Personally, I don't think they look so good. The shape of the canopy and the fairing behind it is incorrect, far too curvy compared to the real thing. Looks like they were (or are) anticipating using the same mold to do a two-seater version later.

I'm not a real stickler for absolute accuracy in diecasts, but I do expect the overall shape of the subject aircraft to be accurately rendered. It is not the case here. I'll be passing on that one (I do have a plastic model 1/48 Mirage III in one of my display cases anyway).

I'm not too happy with FM right now. Particularly with the increased prices. The upcoming F-22 doesn't look that fine either (and what's with those JDAM bombs under the wings?).

FVD

[flyXwire]

Originally Posted by Fly Navy 75

They look good, but I'm holding out for the Israeli paint scheme. The Swiss art is also nice.

I know exactly what you mean, and I'm in the same boat as you. The mold is inaccurate I know, but it will be the only game in town for now.
I suppose FM/A maybe doing a tandem two-seater scheme down the road with this mold. I do hope they do an IAI Nesher T of 242 Tayeset of the
Heyl Ha' Avir. It's been documented that this variant did actually take part occasionally in the fighting.

[swoop]

You could make a better model out of Play Dough. Give it to a Kindergarten kid. He'll show you how.

[flyXwire]

Originally Posted by swoop

You could make a better model out of Play Dough. Give it to a Kindergarten kid. He'll show you how.

Really? Thanks for the tip, genius.

[FormerViperDriver]

This is my plastic model (Eduard 1/48), French Air Force 2eme Escadre de Chasse, mid to late 1960s.

I'm still very sad FM coudn't do a better job with their mould. I would have bought any Israeli scheme (although come to think of it, FM/CDC has yet to release any of their aircraft in Israeli colors), Australian, South African, etc... Plenty of options, which I'm sure drove their decision to go with that aircraft. Now I'm going to wait and see.

[flyXwire]

That's a sweet looking Mirage III, FVD!

Originally Posted by FormerViperDriver

[FormerViperDriver]

Thanks FlyXwire. I really like the Mirages in general, I think they are really beautiful aircraft (and pretty successful operationally on many an occasion, when properly flown).

I sure wish we could see a Mirage F-1 some day. I guess a Mirage 2000 may be forthcoming from HM later this year or next (1/72), so that would be great even though I prefer 1/48.

Perhaps most diecast manufacturers fear that these aircraft would not sell well outside of the French market, but I'm not so sure that's so true.

FVD

[Spinnaker]

Nice model FVD. I'm with you, looking forward to the Hobby Master version arriving in the not-too distant future.