[Tundra04]

Originally Posted by ZS-VAN

Thanks for posting the pics guys. I'm definitely getting that Mirage! FVD suspected that it may be in a training scheme but there's certainly plenty of kill markings on that bird! Who's the pilot?

ZS,

Mirage no.159 was flown by many Israeli pilots including Giora Epstein. Not only was he the IAF's leading ace, he is the world's leading jet ace with 17 kills.

[Tundra04]

Back to the original topic, the F-15: I don't think the paint scheme for this aircraft is accurate. As far as I know, all Israeli F-15 Baz aircraft retained their FS36375 and FS36320 Ghost Grey colors, other than the F-15I Ra'am. The Ra'am's colors are Sand FS33531, Brown FS30219, and Green FS34424 over Light Ghost Grey FS36375. Again I could be wrong, but Franklin Mint's F-15 is no Ra'am and should have the two Ghost Grey colors.

To further complicate matters the 2XX series was given to the Ra'am. However, I haven't found an Israeli Eagle in my sources with number 268, be it Ra'am or Baz.

[PappyB]

Originally Posted by coldupnorth

I totally agree with you. It looks like they rushed it out of the door.

CUPN

Well, this is a pre-pro, right? Either way, when has FM really paid attention to those small details? I don't think I've had a single FM with the small decals such as the "no step" markings and such... ??

[tank nut]

Well it is nice and I like the looks of Mirages and that one will be hard to pass up on!!

[Fly Navy 75]

Originally Posted by Tundra04

Back to the original topic, the F-15: I don't think the paint scheme for this aircraft is accurate. As far as I know, all Israeli F-15 Baz aircraft retained their FS36375 and FS36320 Ghost Grey colors, other than the F-15I Ra'am. The Ra'am's colors are Sand FS33531, Brown FS30219, and Green FS34424 over Light Ghost Grey FS36375. Again I could be wrong, but Franklin Mint's F-15 is no Ra'am and should have the two Ghost Grey colors.

To further complicate matters the 2XX series was given to the Ra'am. However, I haven't found an Israeli Eagle in my sources with number 268, be it Ra'am or Baz.

I am in agreement with Tundra. This was an easy one for the Franklin Mint. Take an existing F-15E (2 SEAT!!!) mold, and paint it in Israeli Camo to make an F-15I "Thunder". I've never seen a desert camo IAF F-15C. If they had just taken the F-15C and painted it in the grey Israeli color scheme, I'd be in. I've been waiting for TFM to do IAF paint schemes since I started collecting, however these inaccuracies are going to force me to pass on the F-15.

That being said, I'm no expert. Can any one else shed any light?

[skysurfer808]

I just pre-ordered the Israeli Mirage IIICJ from the Mule. My only beef with that particular model's accuracy is the fact that it ought to have the nozzle of a later model Atar engine, instead of the jaws like exhaust that was on the original IIICJ. The lack of armament is also a pity, especially since by 1973, the majority of Mirage victories were scored by missiles (winders and shafrirs). I do like the fact that FM has seemed to get the rear fuselage turtle deck more accurate than they did before. The livery of this Mirage is for a 1973 Yom Kippur machine, and though some earlier Mirages did fly in that conflict, research in Osprey's Mirage III Aces book shows that most were modified with the later engine. Still, this machine is an okay hybrid, as it shows the post 1968 camo scheme that was adopted in the wake of the 6 day war, and of course it depicts Mirage 59, which as posted above, was the top scorer of the IAF. However, it was not the favorite Mirage of the IAF. That honor goes to Shahak 56, which scored 4 victories, and which top IAF ace Giora Epstein called, "simply the best, better than 59, better than 82." Unfortunately, Shahak 56 was lost to AAA in 1969. Ace Yftich Specter did however, write a song in that machine's honor. Lest one think this is being a bit over sentimental, I should point out that different airplanes definately have different personalities. Even in our flight school, with an identical lot of spam can Cessna's, some are definately better than others. Hence, the habit of naming planes...and assigning them almost human like qualities.

One question though, will the canopy be available only open, is it 2 position, or will it be openable?

Skysurfer808

[PappyB]

Originally Posted by skysurfer808

I just pre-ordered the Israeli Mirage IIICJ from the Mule. My only beef with that particular model's accuracy is the fact that it ought to have the nozzle of a later model Atar engine, instead of the jaws like exhaust that was on the original IIICJ. The lack of armament is also a pity, especially since by 1973, the majority of Mirage victories were scored by missiles (winders and shafrirs). I do like the fact that FM has seemed to get the rear fuselage turtle deck more accurate than they did before. The livery of this Mirage is for a 1973 Yom Kippur machine, and though some earlier Mirages did fly in that conflict, research in Osprey's Mirage III Aces book shows that most were modified with the later engine. Still, this machine is an okay hybrid, as it shows the post 1968 camo scheme that was adopted in the wake of the 6 day war, and of course it depicts Mirage 59, which as posted above, was the top scorer of the IAF. However, it was not the favorite Mirage of the IAF. That honor goes to Shahak 56, which scored 4 victories, and which top IAF ace Giora Epstein called, "simply the best, better than 59, better than 82." Unfortunately, Shahak 56 was lost to AAA in 1969. Ace Yftich Specter did however, write a song in that machine's honor. Lest one think this is being a bit over sentimental, I should point out that different airplanes definately have different personalities. Even in our flight school, with an identical lot of spam can Cessna's, some are definately better than others. Hence, the habit of naming planes...and assigning them almost human like qualities.

One question though, will the canopy be available only open, is it 2 position, or will it be openable?

Skysurfer808

Hey Sky -- good to see ya posting again!

Yes, I believe the canopy is positionable open/closed... it is on the early release French Mirage at least. (as confirmed in the pics on the Mule, btw, of this model)

[skysurfer808]

Hey thanks Fly;

Getting back to the FM F-15, I don't understand why FM decided to do the desert livery F-15I when they could have done an F-15A with victory marks in Gray. The fact that the Lakenheath F-15C has virtually vanished ought to show that the fighter Eagles are the best sellers, yet FM seems to persist in releasing two tub Eagles ad infinatum. Maybe they are mirroring Macair/now Boeing's production, which shut down the single seat line in the mid 80s, and now only cranks out E derivitives.

Another thing I don't understand is why FM doesn't release an Israeli F-4E in 1/48. Now that would likely be a good seller, they already have the mold, and it would go well with the Mirage. The old 1/100 armours depicting that have viruslly disappeared, along with IAF F-15s and F-16s. If there is one thing we in the diecast collecting community understand, it's theming. Smart manufacturers release liveries that lead to collections expanding due to different themes. Just look at the popularity of Prewar U.S.N. liveries. HM is getting that, and hopefully we'll see an IAF E from them soon, to go with their Skyhawk.

Skysurfer808

[flyXwire]

Originally Posted by skysurfer808

Another thing I don't understand is why FM doesn't release an Israeli F-4E in 1/48. Now that would likely be a good seller, they already have the mold, and it would go well with the Mirage. The old 1/100 armours depicting that have viruslly disappeared, along with IAF F-15s and F-16s. If there is one thing we in the diecast collecting community understand, it's theming. Smart manufacturers release liveries that lead to collections expanding due to different themes. Just look at the popularity of Prewar U.S.N. liveries. HM is getting that, and hopefully we'll see an IAF E from them soon, to go with their Skyhawk.

Skysurfer808

I do hope FM will eventually release an IAF Kurnass if HM doesn't pre-empt FM a coup d’état first!

[Elmer]

Originally Posted by PappyB

Well, this is a pre-pro, right? Either way, when has FM really paid attention to those small details? I don't think I've had a single FM with the small decals such as the "no step" markings and such... ??

Yes you have Pappy: Showtime 100. FM/A can do it and make it look nice. Just one of those small details it should do for 1:48 and usually doesn't.