Italeri 1/32 Mirage 3 cj

[T. van Vuuren]

I am building this Itateri 1/32 Mirage 3 CJ for a mate.
Sofar it is a nice kit, fot is good in the cockpit and detail is good.

These kits are quite popular with guys I know and it builds up well out of the box.

The seat dresses up nicely with the kit supplied PE harnass.

It will be in Israeli scheme

T
Attachments

IMG_20181212_140725.jpg (95.16 KiB) Not viewed yet

 

[T. van Vuuren]

My cell fell so the camera is damaged hence the poor quality pix

The kit has some fit issues that need to be carefully worked on, especially arround the wingroots and intakes.

Theuns

 

[Jakko]

That must be quite a big model in 1/32, so I’m not that surprised you have to be careful to get the fit right in places.

 

[T. van Vuuren]

No I think the engineering was just not up to the same standards as the new 1/32 Tamiya models. The size is about the same as the Tamiya Spittie or P-51 I did and they needed almost no filler the fit was so good.

Then again the Mirage is maybe 40% cheaper but still a very expensive kit here in SA.

Anyway I got the basic airframe sorted so no I am filling ,sanding and re-scribing the lost detail.

Theuns

 

[Jakko]

Well, at least it’s not American Revell

 

[T. van Vuuren]

lol

 

[T. van Vuuren]

I have been chatting to Malcome (a very skilled Mirage builder) WRT the fit of this kit, just to make sure I have not TOTALLY lost my basic building skils

For near 100 UK squidd I would have really expected a better fitting kit than this, damn it is clost to Tamiya price, I would think atleast 70% tamiya fit to be had

The intakes , tailcone and especially the nosecone fit is way off, the fin had to ba wrangled into place and tacked on before I could glue it on, it stood very scew in the fuselage root seat.

Anyway I got the basic shape together and sanded, filled and sanded...repeat.
Next I will have to rescrabe the lost detail.

I am rather glad that I did not buy this kit, I am quite dissapointed in it but if you want a 1/32 Mirage ts the only game in town.

As my mate said, with today's modern CAD, 3d scanning ect how can you make a kit where the nose and tail cones are atleast 1mm oversize

IMG_20181222_055821 by Theunis van Vuuren, on Flickr
IMG_20181222_055852 by Theunis van Vuuren, on Flickr
IMG_20181222_055920 by Theunis van Vuuren, on Flickr
IMG_20181222_060007 by Theunis van Vuuren, on Flickr

Theuns

 

[Dave W]

Very disappointing to pay that amount of money for such a bad fitting kit. I tend not to buy Italeri kits for that reason. I wonder what their new 1/32 Tornado is going to be like?. Think I will wait to see a build review before buying it. Some of their kits are good.but they tend to be re boxes of other manufacturers kits like the Accurate Miniatures 1/48 Avenger and Mitchell.Despite the problems your Mirage is looking good.

 

[T. van Vuuren]

I eventually got the sanding and rescribing done and started painting.
The underside is xtra colour pale IDF blue with just slight ore shading bleeding through.
I just wish we could get this paint in SA, it is really nice to work with.
IMG_20190107_163813 by Theunis van Vuuren, on Flickr
O only afterwards saw that I forgot to put on the LH aileron horn fairing LOL
The wells have been given a wash to "pop" the detail a little.
IMG_20190107_194708 by Theunis van Vuuren, on Flickr
IMG_20190107_194731 by Theunis van Vuuren, on Flickr

Theuns

 

[Jakko]

O only afterwards saw that I forgot to put on the LH aileron horn fairing LOL

“Ground crew are working on the plane. Um, yes, that’s it.”

 

[papa 695]

It's fighting you all the way Theuns, but it looks like your getting the better of it so far.

 

[T. van Vuuren]

I will beat it into submition yet!
Basic Israeli desert scheme on with my own mix of enamels, 2 small toutchups to do still then gloss clear for deacals.
IMG_20190108_152308 by Theunis van Vuuren, on Flickr
IMG_20190108_152257 by Theunis van Vuuren, on Flickr

Theuns

 

[T. van Vuuren]

declas on.
IMG_20190111_083924 by Theunis van Vuuren, on Flickr
IMG_20190111_083910 by Theunis van Vuuren, on Flickr
IMG_20190111_083832 by Theunis van Vuuren, on Flickr

Theuns

 

[Durk]

Looking good Theunis!

DIRK

 

[T. van Vuuren]

Thanx
I was a little worried about the number decals on the tail to silver a but but after 2 applications of microsol I went ahead and put on the alclad satin clearcoat an the decals look fine.
Now I need to get the undercart and last fine details on so I can complete it.

Theuns

 

[T. van Vuuren]

O have had littl interest in this model lately but did a few things, now just need to do final assembly

Theuns