1/72 SAAF Mirage F1 CZ
The South African Airforce operated a number of Dassault Mirage variants. This included 7 variations of the Mirage III, which totalled 58 aircraft. A further 48 Mirage F1's were acquired from 1975, of which 16 were Mirage F1 CZ's, an air to air variant. They served with 3 squadron from 1975 until their retirement in 1991. A few airframes were used by the Test Flight & Development centre until 1996.
This particular aircraft (213) is credited with an air tot air victory of an Angolan MiG-21, Notice the Angolan Roundel under the canopy. Major Johan Rankin downed a MiG21-MF on 6 November 1981, with 30mm Cannon fire. The Angolan MiG-21MF was flown by Cuban pilot Lt Danacio Valdez. See last pic of gun camera footage. This airframe now resides at the Ysterplaat Airforce Museum and is currently getting painted in the low visibility "Air superiority" scheme. This was a three tone grey scheme later adopted by the SAAF.
This kit was quite old and I did have some issues with the decals breaking and silvering. Still was an enjoyable build & will spend more time prepping for paint on the next ones. Any tips on how to prevent decals silvering would be appreciated.
Beautiful Mirage F-1, Neil! Excellent painting! SAAF planes carried beautiful camos and you did an excellent job here!
Thanks for the kind words, Spiros!
Despite the incooperative decals, this is a beautiful F1, Neill @neillroos
You did a wonderful job on this one.
Cheers John, much appreciated.
Nice looking Mirage, Neill...love the paint work!
Thank you, Joe. One of the more eye catching camos around for sure!
Nice Mirage, Neil. Is that the Airfix kit? I remember that being a fun kit when it came out.
Thanks John. Certainly is the old Airfix one! Still very enjoyable to Build!
Nicely done!
Appreciated Robert!
Very nice F-1. I did this same scheme on my 1/72 build years ago - just liked the SAAF colors and markings.
Cheers Greg! The colours and Castle/Springbok do stand out a bit!