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Spiros Pendedekas
161 articles

Heller 1/48 Mirage 2000EGM

December 13, 2024 · in Aviation · · 32 · 163

In July 1985, Greece signed a contract for 40 Mirage 2000, comprising 36 single-seat aircraft and 4 two-seat trainers.

Apart from the planes themselves, the almost $1.5 billion contract included weapons, equipment, as well as industrial offsets that permitted the Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI) to produce parts of their M53-P2 engines. Delivery of the aircraft to 114CW Tanagra Air Base commenced from June 1988 onwards.

The Mirage 2000 Grèce version was officially called Mirage 2000EGM (BGM for the two seaters) and featured a Thomson CSF RDM multirole radar and an ICMS Mk.1 defensive countermeasures suite.

It would carry the Magic II and S-530D air-to-air, as well as the Exocet anti-ship missiles.

331 Squadron HAF was founded on 18 April 1988, in order to accept the Mirage 2000 EGM/BGM.

The Squadron was initially manned by experienced pilots from other HAF aircraft types. Its main operational role was all weather interception, which was later expanded to air-to-surface with the implementation of the AM-39 Exocet anti-ship missile.

In 2007 the Squadron switched to the vastly upgraded Mirage 2000-5, which, among others, featured modern weapons (MICA EM/IR air-to-air and SCALP air-to-surface missiles) and superior ICMS MkIII countermeasures suite.

Never fired a weapon in anger, the Squadron is going strong, having achieved excellent results through the years during military exercises and evaluations.

Its emblem is Thisseas, a Greek mythology divine hero whose myths, journeys, exploits and friends have provided material for storytelling throughout the ages.

This is the venerable Heller kit, with its origins traced back in 1991 and at times reissued ever since. Clearly an elderly kit, with sparse or simplistic details at areas like the cockpit, landing gear and exhaust nozzle, but with very accurate general shape and sufficient external details, which are of the engraved type.

The molds are showing their age, with details becoming softer and flash being increasingly present at many places, deeming clean-up of practically all parts a necessity, with the soft plastic being an ally. In fact, it will not be far from the truth to consider the kit as “limited run” nowadays.Should you wish to read the full build review, you may do so by visiting my beloved site Modelingmadness:
https://modelingmadness.com/review/mod/fr/pen2ke.htm

Happy Modelling!

Reader reactions:
11  Awesome 1 

32 responses

  1. A very, very impressive Mirage Spiros (@fiveten). You've nailed the look superbly well. Did you use any aftermarket on it?

  2. Fantastic! This is Your plane ?

  3. Despite the kit showing its age, the final result is really amazing, Spiros @fiveten
    She came out beautifully and the chosen scheme is very nice.
    Well done.

  4. Nicely done, Spiros. I like the "soft" look to the paint job...well done.

  5. Well done, Spiros, that is an excellent Mirage. The colors, decals, and detail looks fantastic!

  6. What an impressive OOB build, Spiros!
    Really love the immaculate paintwork on this Mirage. A job well done 👍

  7. This turned out beautiful, Spiros. I like your color choices and made note of them.

  8. First impressions are everything. Up grading to a real pilot with all the details brought a smile on this readers face. Old kits made by a modeler who has a intimate knowledge of the aircraft makes for a better build. Spiros you have brought the best in this kit while doing two good articles. I try to learn something new each day and Greek air force history is always of interest. Looking forward to your next adventure in modeling.

  9. Spiros, that is a spectacular finish. I am definitely going to check out the full build post. It is a beautiful build.

  10. Excellent build, Spiros!

  11. Jasou Spiros @fiveten, a very beautiful build of this elegant plane! Love the clean camouflage, good paintwork!

  12. An excellent Mirage - I always like that scheme on the delta bird, and it looks nice with those Hellenic markings also.

  13. @fiveten lovely work as always. Thanks for sharing. Those wing decals had to be fine.

  14. Very sharp work, Spiros!

  15. Just read that this YOUR plane! Talk about having proper technical reference on a model build.
    Amazing, through and through Spiros!
    Always loved the lines of the Mirage, especially the 2000 - even better looking than the F1.

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