SAAF Dassault Mirage IIICZ in 48th scale by Hobby Boss. Kit no. 80315
My second South African Air Force build was the Mirage III CZ by Hobby Boss. Not a bad kit!
The aircraft I modelled is no. 800, which is today the last airworthy Mirage IIIC and is operated by the SAAF Museum and stationed at Zwartkops airfield, Pretoria. Its civil code is ZU-DME "Black Widow" and it currently has a stunning black and gold paint scheme.
During the War in Angola the aircraft was part of 2 Squadron and flew numerous sorties from their base at AFB Hoedspruit.
Underwing stores on this model are 500 litre fuel tanks and Khukri AAMs.
Nice-lookin' build, Ray - neat photographic effect on that background as well..:)
Thanks, Craig!
The SAAF Mirages had the best looking camo scheme that was applied to any Mirage! Well done Ray. She looks nice!
Thanks, Morne!
Some nice mean and moody lighting for a black widow. That's a special Mirage, Ray with lovely photography.
Thank you, David!
You are welcome. I think that came scheme is really difficult to get right in scale but you've nailed it. Great eye.
You are welcome, Ray. I think that camo scheme is really hard to get right for 'scale' but you've nailed it. Great eye.
Thanks! I did it freehand, which is always dicey! A rivet counter will no doubt find fault with it, though 🙂
Hello Ray,
Excellent build. I did read (just above) that the camou was freehand. Tahat makes it even more fantastic. Was the SAAF happy with their Mirage?
regards, Dirk / The Netherlands.
Thanks, Dirk. Yes, the Mirages were well loved and served the SAAF from 1962 to 1990, when they were replaced by Saab JAS Gripens.
Man, this is nice, I love the paint job, Mooi, Post more, I am still in the Congo, and I am having withdrawal symptoms from a lack of building, I am due to get home next week. Baie Mooi.
Moerse dankie! I can only feel for you. Let's hope the week passes quickly!
Very nice presentation, Ray.
Thanks, Rob! Pleasure to be friends with you, too.
Very nice Mirage! Only SAAF plane I've done was a Mirage F.1, but have a Cheetah in the stash calling my name...
Thanks, Greg. I have yet to do an F1. Will probably get down to it this year, as I managed to get hold of an ESC 48th kit on eBay for a lot less than the modern Italeri version, which I was going to order. It's a 1984 kit, so may have some challenges! I want to do a Cheetah as well. The only other SAAF kite I have built so far is a Gripen, which I need to take decent pics of so I can post them here 🙂
Very nice! great job!
Thanks, Robert!
Very nice Mirage, and the photography really sets it off. Great job Ray!
Why, thank you, Gary! Very kind of you.
Great work! If I remember correctly #800 also has an original engine. I always thought the Castle/Springbok on the vertical stabiliser was a mistake by Hobbyboss until I saw a pic of this aircraft in the book "SAAF's Border War" by Peter Baxter
I also had to check it first, Neill. Thanks for the compliment.