Hacker Posted December 30, 2006 Share Posted December 30, 2006 Hmmm...interesting scheme Iain, Doesn't Spotty's head looks like he swallowed a fly whilst riding with the visor up...either that or he's in the middle of coughing up a furball. The face looks weird to me...not quite a snarly look but the former. Will look forward to seeing one built. Cheers Matty l sort of agree its either a fly or some bird missed the intake and went down his throat instant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hacker Posted December 30, 2006 Share Posted December 30, 2006 Just to refresh my memory on the atlas cheetah l did a google image search. l forgot the long snout it has. Sort of looks like someone shut the hannger doors too soon and it got is nose caught then stretched. For what its worth go for it. It would be spectacular when finished. Hacker Happy New Year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Ray Posted December 30, 2006 Share Posted December 30, 2006 BTW Iain, a while a go I found someone who offers decals for Cheetahs in 1/32nd. If you are interested I will see if I can find the link. I think it was on the IPMS SA site, but not sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Posted December 30, 2006 Author Share Posted December 30, 2006 Hiya Ray, Yup - found that - may order a set - not sure yet. If I do Spotty there are not many decals on the sheet I'd use.... Iain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Posted December 31, 2006 Author Share Posted December 31, 2006 OK - Started cutting plastic... Have decided on two Mirages - a Swiss IIIRS in special scheme, as well as the Cheetah 'C'. Both using the most recent Revell re-releases of the III and the 5BA 'Mephisto' - I hate working with Black Plastic! If you want to build a 1:32 mirage - the Revell kit is the only game in town - but I would recomend starting with as old a moulding as you can - the molds have suffered over the years and must be at, or near, the ends of their lives. Anyway - the pics: Upper Starboard wing - warped to hell and back... Engine and one of the tanks for the IIIRS Test Fit - Tamiya F-4J bang seat into Mirage will go - need to remove some material from seat base... First cut - extending the III fuselage - the start of it's metamorphosis into a Cheetah! Starboard half separated - standard fuselage for comparison - plug size indicative at this stage - need to get measuring! A tale of two Mirages: More later... Happy New Year folks! Iain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Posted December 31, 2006 Author Share Posted December 31, 2006 Some more pix... Have used 20 thou styrene sheet to 'plug' the gap - doesn't look pretty - yet - but the trick is to ensure that the front and rear fuselage sections remain correctly aligned - it's very easy to end up with a twist in proceedings! My calculations suggested an 18.125mm plug - allowing for razor saw thickness I went just under 19mm. Front and rear sections were carefully taped tockether (with cockpit tub inserted in nose section) whilst jointing plates fitted in place to ensure everything stays 'true'... Wish me luck! Iain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hacker Posted December 31, 2006 Share Posted December 31, 2006 chop chop chop looking good so far there dude. would love to see whats next hacker Happy New Years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Posted December 31, 2006 Author Share Posted December 31, 2006 Well - I'm a little less downhearted about the project(s) than I was last night - always better to stick things together - than cut up!! May do some cockpit work now whilst the 'extension' dries... Why on earth did I start two of these things - with the state of the molds, and my plans for 'Cheetah' - building a vac would be easier... Now - were did I put my ID Models Grumman Tiger??? Iain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KOTR Posted December 31, 2006 Share Posted December 31, 2006 Watching this I seriously consider getting a second Mirage-kit and make a 'c', too Hm, wait, there's enoug on the desk... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Posted December 31, 2006 Author Share Posted December 31, 2006 OK - Next steps as I sip a rather nice Chardonnay... Cockpit - the kit cockpit is basically non-existent (relying on decal for the main panel). This will all be rebuilt around spare Martin Baker seats from a Tamiy F-4J (I used resin seats in that one...) The seat has been 'adjusted' and now fits perfectly! Have checked height from cockpit floor to canopy and it's spot on! Big area for improvent on the Revell Mirage III/5 kits is the gear bays - front ends up being an open void into the front fuselage, mains are closed off - but far too shallow and with no detail at all. Answer - cut out the old and make new gear bays! Here are front gear bay 'blanks' for both models I'm building. The need shaping around the bottom to fit the fuselage contours - and all the detail needs adding - but here you can see a good start - basic shells made from 20 thou styrene sheet (yes - they do taper in plan - although a little less than the kit moldings would have you believe...): That's all on this installment - at least I can start the detailing process now! Am actually starting to enjoy this project - may all end in tears though - we'll see... Happy New Year! Iain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian A. Posted January 1, 2007 Share Posted January 1, 2007 Hi Iain, Great job on the 'surgury' to lengthen the fuse. I'm not a big fan of jets, but the scheme on this one is going to look sweet. Keep up the great work! Adrian A. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Posted January 1, 2007 Author Share Posted January 1, 2007 Thanks Adrian... To be honest - I prefer 1930 through 1960 for subject matter - but aim to build a 1:32 collection spanning the Wright Brothers to F-35 eventually! Iain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian A Posted January 2, 2007 Share Posted January 2, 2007 Looks Good Iain Not a fast mover fanatic myself (although I think the Hunter was one of the most beautiful airplanes ever built), but I've always had a soft spot for Mirages in South African and Aussie service. Something about that Gallic flair. Will watch with interest. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee White Posted January 4, 2007 Share Posted January 4, 2007 Absolutely first-rate work here. I like the clever engineering involved in the fuselage stretch- I'll be embarrassed to enter my box-stock Mirage! (well, maybe not box-stock- I can't find the decals Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Posted January 6, 2007 Author Share Posted January 6, 2007 Hi Lee, Thanks... Drop me a line with your address and I'll pop a set of Revell decals in the post... BTW - Did you have any spare XB-51 Mouldings? Have fun! Iain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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