LetLetLet ~ Warplanes
Let Let Let - Warplanes => Aircraft Modeling => Topic started by: draken35 on March 24, 2019, 08:01:55 AM
-
Well yes, Belgian Mirage again!
I received the kit yesterday from Didier Waelkens (IPMS-Belgium) that asked me to build it and to make an article for KIT (IPMS-Belgium magazine).
Of course, I have to build it in the Belgian version :-green
So, I'm busy with Mirage 5 on three different scale simultaneously... Funny...
For the Belgian version there will be some extra work to do; I will explain that during the building stages. First detail: the yellow paint on the tail is due to the participation of the aircraft in an ADAC exercise (aerial combat with aircraft of different types) - But the yellow paint was also present on the extremities of the upper surfaces of the wings (see my remarks on the instruction sheet)
The work will begin soon...
-
:-clap :-clap :-clap
-
Mirage heaven...…!!
-
good!
-
Now that theatre is finished, I'm back!
Well, as I did not received the instruction from IPMS-Belgium to build the kit "from the box" - that's impossible for the Belgian version anyway - I think I will do some extra work and have some extra fun...
First, the plot below the cockpit roof have to be removed; it will enter in the wheel bay...
Then some "hard" work is to remove the "caudal" element below the wings and to replace it by part 36.
....But part 36 is not corresponding to the Belgian version! The Belgian part is not so large.
So, I've decided to "cannibalize" both elements; removing the rear part of the original element and cutting the one of part 36.
I had to heavily sand that last one and work is not finished yet; I have to use miliput to make a correct element...
-
:-clap :-clap :-clap
-
Who can build "out of the box" on this forum!!! Good works and glad to have you back from what appears to have been a great theatrical production!
-
Thank you friends!
-
Miliput... A little hole is also filled. Of course, sanding will be needed...
-
Eastern... have a drink first ;)
-
Sure!
And before sanding I will have to make a minor correction: not enough Miliput on port side...
-
Huh,a lot of work mate,keep up the good job !
-
Thank you ;)
-
Caudal element sanded. Result is better than the one showed by the photo... I've also added a FLIR dispenser and the decking stick...
...I'm crazy... :-joke :-joke :-joke
-
:-eek ... 1/144
-
😁
-
Amazing !
-
Today I've sanded the air brakes on and under the wings: too thick! On actual planes, there are same level than the wings surface.
Long work, uneasy due to the size of the aircraft but result looks good for me!
At that scale, the decal for the air brakes will we enough...
-
For that scale so good!!
-
Thank you my friend!
-
The tail of that particular Mirage 5 is from the "late" type so I will have some work to do to represent that.
Evergreen is used to scratch elements and a drop of cyano is put on the top of the tail to fill a little gap due to fixation to the sprue
-
Tail "modernized" :))
-
And precise saw day, I also cut something with such tool :))
-
That tool is really important for modelers...
-
excellent job mate !
-
Thank you !
-
Modifications continue!
-
Yes Scott, but not finished yet...
-
Next step: the little "louves" on the back of the aircraft. Too big in length (correspond to 1/72 scale); not big enough in volume...
Sanding; then new ones are created in a part of sprue/Evergreen and placed on the aircraft.
-
:-clap :-clap :-clap
-
Thank you!
One little louve added again on port side of the fuselage.
I've also tried to make a more better MB 10 seat...
-
:-eek :-obey :-clap
-
Thank you my friend
-
Superb !
-
Thank you my friend
-
Too lazy to make quantity of work today... Just a little add on the seat; the lateral consoles (not enough place to represent all the buttons...) and the nose; looks a lot better but still needing some miliput...
-
Painted instruments in that scale...
-
Painted instruments in that scale...
It's a challenge for me... ;)
-
Miliput for the nose to make a better one. Sanding will be needed of course...
-
Not much sanding need, if I can see properly
-
Just a little bit indeed...
-
Nose sanded. I'm happy with the result; you can see the difference "before/after"...
-
Smooooootthhhhhhhhh :))
-
:-green
-
I'm speechless
-
😉
-
Inside the cockpit... Pilot'stick replaced; made from scratch and not finished yet
-
Not finished yet... just wonder how many parts you will add in this scale
-
Wonderful!
-
Stunning !
-
Thank you friends!
Well, I have to scratchbuild the front of the cockpit; Belgian Mirages didn't had a cover to avoid too high temperature for some instruments. At 1/144th scale: lenght 3.5mm; large 3mm behind the instrument panels and 2mm in front of the nose. With instruments to be placed on it of course...
-
Before to continue the work on the cockpit, I've begun to resolve another big issue of the kit : the interior doors of the main undercarriage.
On the kit, there are closed (like the ones of an Albatros L39 by example).
...But the photos of the actual Mirages 5 show that those door are open the most part of the time (it's just the prudence that ask me not to say: all the time).
So, I've created new doors with Evergreen. Fitting looks good enough for me.
... Now, the hard job to do: to remove the kit's doors...
-
Well, after all of this modifications and details update, must ask you- you have Mirage 5 in garden?
-
Ah ah, no but I would like To....
-
Patrick Bouclans, a friend of mine who is THE specialist of the Mirage 5 gived me some informations about the closed doors:
Engine shut down and accus empty, the doors are open.
When the engine is on, the doors are closing themselves.
...But you can also close them manually...
...Anyway, I want the doors open on my aircraft! :-green
So I have begun the work. Slowly, to avoid to damage the part. One door ready; must continue with the second one and then to make nice wheel bays...
-
Second door trap OK. I've reinforced with a plate in the interior. Work not finished yet.
I've also modified my arrester hook: I forgot the triangular metalic plates that protect the hook
-
When you first mentioned these doors I immediately looked at some photos--you're correct to open them! This is just like the D model Mustang, the doors bleed open after the engine is shut down.
-
It look like this will be your best kit made last period :))
-
Thank you my friends.
Don't know if it will be my best kit made... I like the result obtained for the Dornier 27; and the Renard is still under construction... But sure it's one of the most corrected ;)
-
great work mate !
-
Thank you
-
I was unhappy with the kit'stick.
I was also quite unhappy with my first attempt to replace it
(see the first photo)
So today I removed the one in place and worked with stretched sprue...
...Looks better! :))
-
Micromodeling :))
-
Amazing !
-
Thank you friends ;)
-
Internal door traps of the main wheels is completely done... Took me 1 1/2 hours...
...I think I'm really crazy...
Now, I'm envisaging to modify also the external door traps... Not sure but... :-wch
-
All right, why don't you drink like all normal people :)) :-smey
-
All right, why don't you drink like all normal people :)) :-smey
Because I'm Belgian : only strong, trappist beers.
...Helpful... 😁
-
:-razz :-clap :-clap :-clap
-
So good ! Well done mate !
-
Thank you!
Some new work today... Some very little details but important for the belgian Mirage!
See on the photo 1 the difference...
And the external door traps are corrected (totally made from scratch)
-
Lovely!!
-
Thank you my friend
-
Superb !
-
Thank you ;)
-
White primer done
-
And rest is next :))
-
Great !
-
Thank you!
-
Seat is done; plus some little work on the lateral consoles (quasi inexistant on the kit...)
-
For that scale, excellent detailed seat!!!
-
Thank you my friend
-
Great!!
-
Thank you Scott
-
Exhaust painted with AK Xtreme Metal "Steel" over a black base
-
Dream work!
-
First, the decal of the instrument panel is cut in two parts to be more easily placed on the plastic part. "Flash" must be removed yet.
...But a big problem is coming: the inside parts of the cockpit... Too long, will give difficulties to place the logement of the front wheel... And the pilot stick will just go... in the instrument panel! Not sure I can give it a better position...
I have to think before to act...
-
Amazing in that scale :-clap :-clap :-clap
-
Thank you.
Fitting of the exhaust and the inside of the cockpit in the half fuselages is cataclysmic.
I've had to cut the seat to fit with the canopy; just kept the back.
Canopy don't fit with the fuselage.
Interior bay of the forward wheel is not horizontal and misplaced due to the floor of the cockpit
Fuselage don't fit with the wings.
Too much is too much.
I've asked to IPMS-Belgium permission to stop that build...
Mark one realised nice little kit at 1/144, like the brewster Buffalo. But their Mirage is too bad.
-
After two good Belgian beers, I've tried to continue a little bit that bloody kit...
Lot, lot, lot of work remain to do... And the result will not be excellent anyway.
-
Just can imagine what would be after three Belgian beer :))
-
Just can imagine what would be after three Belgian beer :))
"The fly of the Mirage" ;)
-
So much work in such a small package...….three Belgian beers indeed!
-
this is excellent mate, I see the beer did help :)) :)) :))
-
Good Belgian trappist beer is always helpful... :-tri
-
Still busy with that little... thing :-wall :-wall :-wall
First photo: comparrison between the original nose for Mirage III and the one for Mirage 5, heavily modified by myself.
Then I've tried to give the illusion of a complete seat including in the cockpit a little part of plastic painted in khaki...
The Belgian Mirage 5 had also the particularity that the cover of the instruments in front of the instrument panel in the cockpit was removed, to avoid those instruments to become too hot.
I've removed the "cover" and represented the instruments with some plastic parts painted in black with some touch of grey to give a little bit of volume.
Finally the canopy is placed... And as you can see fitting is far from perfect...
...I'm really tired with that bad kit... :( :( :(
-
This microsurgery is definitely not easy...
-
...Not easy at all my friend...
...But I'm still progressing: the "5 BA" nose is placed. Looks better like a Mirage 5...
I've also removed the canopy and put it in place again; this time with cyano and pressing the canopy against the fuselage (nothing to loose doing that after all): it's a little bit better now.
Lot of work remains to do...
-
You're making all this work into a great build, and I'm enjoying your successful combat with the kit.
-
Thank you my friend
-
:-clap :-clap :-clap
-
this excellent mate !
-
Thank you!
Today I've delimited all the ares where putty (miliput, Vallejo, Tamiya/AK, Magic Putty in function of the locations) will be needed with masking tape...
-
Lets hope finish will be smooth
-
Lets hope finish will be smooth
Well... I'm not sure at all...
-
Three different putties were needed: miliput; Vallejo white putty and AK grey putty... That need to be sanded of course.
-
At least, it is closer to painting ;)
-
At least, it is closer to painting ;)
Yes but before that I have to add some antennas and to add details in the wheel bays... And I will have few time for modeling until the end of the year.
Hope to begin painting in january ;-)
-
well, I cant find the proper words.... amazing my friend !
-
Thank you. One of the most complicated build done...
-
Sanding finished...
I've also constated that the front wheel will be positioned a little bit too back from the actual location, due to the cockpit floor... No solution for that...
The hole I made on the rear is fully filled but two putties were needed.
Now I have to work on the wheel bays and to add two antennas on the top of the fuselage...
-
Just guess... on modeling competitions, are there reliable judge to realize all this effort to create authentic and nice kit?
-
I'm afaraid but no....
-
Still working hard on that kit...
First of all, some supplement of putty was needed on the junction between canopy and top of the fuselage... As you can see: miliput, AK grey putty, parfect plastic putty were needed!
I've also made from scratch the UHF and Tacan antennas (not present in the kit box) and made some work on the wheel bays.
-
Excellent!!
-
Thank you my friend ;)
-
Me crazy...
I've spent a half hour to realize the two little sensors in front of the cockpit... And to put them in place!
Then, two PE parts are used to represent some cables in the front wheel bay
-
:-clap :-clap :-clap
-
Thank you my friend
-
Such fine work, mate!
-
Thank you Scott
-
Amazing work !
-
Thank you Modellius!
-
Not a significant progress, but I've repainted the black "interior" of the canopy frame. The "putty phase" had damaged the paint...
-
small step but have to be done, nice work mate !
-
Thank you Modellius.
I want to finish that kit...
-
First base color revealed some defaults that needed for putty (again...)
I hope that all is OK now...
-
seems like a one more small step again, but you'r making an excellent job mate !
-
A new white primer base was airbrushed, then the yellow paint (AK Real Color).
Then, masking of the "yellow surfaces" and AK Xtreme metal Aluminium airbrushed...
-
What primer base you are using?
-
What primer base you are using?
Simply Gunze white...
-
White primer airbrushed again; with the correction of a default on the yellow of the starboard lower wing... Yellow must be airbrushed again of course
-
Is there any problems to lose panels?
-
Is there any problems to lose panels?
No, I'm just correcting a default in the yellow paint
-
Corrected ;-)
-
:-clap :-clap :-clap
-
Yesterday, I've airbrushed Dark Tan (AK Real Color RC225)...
-
...And today, first masking phase
-
Masking is this scale... !!!!
-
Masking is this scale... !!!!
Yes... took me à long moment...
-
Real Color RC 083 airbrushed...
-
Real Color do look real, after this I will take a look better on their products.
-
I'm really satisfied with those paints. Easy to use with airbrush, very fast drying and smooth finish
-
New masking phase...
-
Dark green Real Color RC342 airbrushed...
And all the masks are removed!
Just a minor correction needed (see red arrow)
-
Stunning!
-
:-clap :-clap :-clap
-
Thank you my friends ;-)
-
Minor defaults in the painting corrected :))
-
Even not finished look excellent!
-
this is stunning my friend !
-
Thank you friends!
Well, first of all I've discovered a new photo of the left wing (under copyright; I cannot publish it here...) that shows a different pattern of the three-tone camo... So, I've corrected that; also painted some details and the "false" cockpit on the undersurface. That false cockpit was painted on the undersurface when the three tones camo was applied overall.
Next phase: painting of the tyres.
-
:-clap :-clap :-clap
-
Thank you!
Today, details were painted: position lights; antennas, tyres... I've lost the front wheel lights of the kit during the building process; so I've scratchbuilded new ones...
-
Robotic precision!!!
-
...with shaking hands... ;)
-
I know, this is why I adore your work ;)
-
Thank you my friend ;)
-
Excellent!!
-
Thank you Scott
-
superb mate !
-
Thank you my friend
-
First a coat of Pébéo gloss varnish, then decals are set in place. Difficult to place: long time before to remove from their support and very fragile...
I've also made some micro painting of details I've forgotten until now...
-
Never ask- do you polish Pebeo coat before apply decals or use decals directly over coat?
-
Never ask- do you polish Pebeo coat before apply decals or use decals directly over coat?
I apply decals directly over coat...
-
All right, thanks :))
-
A new coat of gloss varnish is applied; then paneling (Tamiya Panel Liner) and finally matt varnish...
-
:-clap :-clap :-clap
-
Thank you my friend
-
Beautiful airplane!!!!
-
Thank you my friend
-
Use of pastels (Tamiya & MiG). End of the build is coming... But it's not finished yet!!!
-
This pastels work great!! Maybe I will soon try watercolor pencils, look like very good.
-
I like pastels and watercolor pencils. It's a pleasure to use them.
Anyway, kit is finished. Little parts are glued. Two parts inexisting in the kit are created and added (see first photo).
...But when I put the aircraft on the wheels... Horror... The Mirage haves not the correct attitude. The floor of the front wheel bay is too high in the fuselage; so the Mirage has the nose too low... I've tried to correct that: my intention was to put Evergreen in the wheel bay but trying to remove the wheel leg I've broken that part (I'm using industrial cyano for little parts). Continuing would have given me a "puzzle" of that wheel leg... So, I've repaired the part and stopped.
Finished.
I'm disapointed.
Really a bad kit...
Positive meaning: it helped me to find solutions and to create lot of parts.
I will try to remember that point only...
OTOH, I like that deco. I think I will use the same (or the one of the Mirage BA-30: red in place of yellow) for my 1/72 PJ Mirage; that I will continue soon...
-
Art!! Mastery!!! :-clap :-clap :-clap
-
Thank you my friend ;)
-
Yes, it's a wonderful finish, and can't wait to see it in the larger scale!
-
Thank you my friend
-
Never surrender - NEVER SURRENDER!!!
Since the kit was finished I was really bothered with that bloody bad front wheel leg. I've found a solution that is not really accurate but that gives the good position to the Mirage and that's from far better than before!!!
I've measured the missing lenght of the leg putting plastic parts under the wheel. Then I've cut the wheel leg and intercaled a little part of Evergreen of good diameter - and that's it! :-love
I'm not happy of the kit but I'm really happy of myself :-tri
-
This is it :-tri
-
Yes, thank you !
-
I knew you'd find a way to correct that gear leg! Beautiful!!!
-
Thank you Scott ;)
-
Looks fantastic mate !
-
Thank you mate. It's for sure an unforgettable build...
-
This last week-end took place "Plastic&Steel", the IPMS Belgium national expo at Affligem.
The little Mirage 5 won a silver medal. Nice reward for all the work I've done...
-
Congratulation :-love :-clap
-
Thank you my friend