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Next, I'll be tackling a kit that is literally older than I am. Bu about a year (this thing's from 1973, my passport states 1974...). Although the kit is the 2005 boxing, with newly printed decals, the molds themselves are antique. With that in mind, I can say I'm rather impressed by the amount of flash (hardly there). Let's take a look First of all, the kit comes in the not-so-typical-for-Revell box: one that lifts from the top instead of opens on the side... ![]() With a nice bunch of plastic inside: ![]() ![]() Instructions are typical for the Revell that I am used to: ![]() and a huge decal sheet with options for several aircraft. ![]() I'll be going for a French paintscheme. To be exact, I'll be going for the one with the wild boar on the tail ![]() The glasswork is pretty much flawless ![]() As for details, not too shabby. First off, we have a 2-part (front/back) pilot figure. I'm not sure yet if I will be using him. ![]() A mix of recessed and raised detail. Which is good, after a first look I thought it was all raised, but I'm in luck. I'm giving the raised detail a closer look soon to decide on rescribing this or not. ![]() The engine, which will be removable at the end, has some nice detail too, although I wonder if it's enough. If I want it removable I will have to add some stuff to make it look decent/good. ![]() The first major disappointment is the fantastic detail in the wheelbays: ![]() >Right...... The cockpit itself is marginal at best, especially in this scale ![]() ![]() Not even sure what kind of seat that is supposed to be, but it does come with seatbelts! ![]() ![]() Maybe in the 70's, but nowadays you really can't get away with a decal for the instrument panel. Blegh. After some careful consideration, and knowing my scratchbuilding skills, I opted for the easy way out: I got a few aftermarket parts. To start off with, a new pitot tube: ![]() Technically speaking I believe this one is for the Mirage IIIR/S and I'll be building a IIIE, but I doubt anyone but the most hardened rivetcounters will ever notice Some metal landing gear. Again, this will be an experiment. I never tried this stuff yet and I'm hearing mixed signals on whether or not they're worth it. We will see. ![]() And a resin cockpit set. This will definitely be an improvement. ![]() Excellent detailing on the tub itself ![]() Two different bang seats, a mk4 and a mk6. I assume that's Martin Baker. ![]() I have no idea which is which, although I should be able to figure that out, and I'm not sure yet which I should use, and which I will use.... The kit comes with 2 mediocre Sidewinders, which shouldn't be hard to replace, and 10 undesignated free-fall bombs, which aren't even mediocre. I've found one image of a Mirage III carrying these bombs, but that one carried a load consisting of 3 types of bombs, so I'm not sure yet if I will use them or just stick with the fuel tanks and Sidewinders.
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