Artman Delta - 3D printed parts for SAAF subjects and Mirage IIIs in general

[Mistral]

I'm posting these on behalf of a small startup operation called Artman Delta who intend to fulfil a need to provide 3D printed parts for Mirage 3s and other similar subjects. They'll be offering in 32nd scale (and for those of you who still build small scale, but don't admit it, 48th and 72nd). They're contactable via FaceBook and Instagram as per the box cover below.

 

The parts I've reviewed so far are accurate as these have been based on dimensions taken from actual articles at various museums in South Africa. The initial parts will focus on the Mirage 3/5 series (and related develop,ents such as Cheetahs etc.). These are applicable to Mirages that were operated not only by the SAAF but many other countries.

 

 

 

Edited February 2, 2023 by Mistral
Correct think

[Mistral]

First off the 32nd scale RP825 centreline supersonic tank as used by most Mirage 3 operators. What astounds me is that Italeri (and the Revell rebox) does not provide this tank. It is the most common tank carried by the Mirages so this is certainly a welcome addition. This cad work is based on actual measurements taken from the RP825 tank on Mirage IIIRZ 835 at Swartkop air base in Pretoria, South Africa.

 

 

There are four pieces - nose, centre and tail section (the image shows two front sections) and the pylon. The 3D casting is crisp but can use a light sanding with something like a 2000 grit Tamiya sanding sponge. The parts can be glued together with super glue (cyano). They have a clever method of one part fitting into the other so that it's difficult to mess the super glue all over the place when squeezing the parts together. Alternative is to use slow setting epoxy glue.

Some minor preparation work is required like cutting off the supports. This took no longer than 5 minutes of careful cutting with a razor saw. Locating pins make sure parts align correctly with one another.

 

 

 

Parts glued.

 

 

 

I primed the parts with Tamiya fine grey primer straight from the can. The real tank has prominent aluminium weld seams which are correctly replicated.

 

 

 

 

 

[Mistral]

Next up is the JL-100 combined fuel tank/rocket pod and carried on the inboard wing pylons of the Mirage 3 - again, measured off actual sample at Johannesburg Museum of Military History :

 

 

 

Nose detail incredibly crisp :

 

 

 

Primed :

 

 

 

Painted in various metallic colours using the one at the museum as a sample :

 

 

 

With weathering to replicate rocket gas stains - yes they really did get this dirty :

 

 

Artman Delta will provide the corrected wing pylons as the Italeri kit parts are rubbish.

 

[Mistral]

They'll also do V3B Kukri IR missiles and their launcher rails in 48th and 32nd. Not sure about 72nd. These are specific to the SAAF and were used on the Mirage F1AZ and the Mirage IIIC and R. The launch rails also had a unique configuration. There are no V3Bs available in scale as far as I'm aware. So these are very welcome. This is how they come out of the casting booth :

 

 

 

 

 

 

Missile before painting - this is the 32nd scale article - note the unique arrangement of the canard fore planes - something between an R550 and AIM-9B. But it's correct, again also measured from an actual missile at SAAF Museum at Swartkop :

 

 

 

 

 

[gregair]

Now available in 1:32 and 1:48 scale through this online store:

 

https://supernovastudio.durban/collections/artman-delta/Artman?sort_by=best-selling&filter.v.price.gte=&filter.v.price.lte=&filter.p.product_type=3D+Printing

Edited April 19, 2023 by gregair
Grammar

[Mistral]

Some more goodies received from Artman Delta : first off the PM3 bomb beam carried on the centreline of Mirage III and V and derivatives such as Dagger etc. This beam was used to carry two bombs in tandem such as Mk.81, Mk.82, 440kg bombs or Expal 250 such as used by the Argentine Air Force in the Falklands. These items are in 32nd scale but Artman will do them in 48th as well.

 

 

Delivered in a very sturdy box to avoid damage to the parts. Parts inside are wrapped in bubble wrap to further protect the contents.

 

Below is a sample of the instruction sheet. Artman invest time giving some historical and detail data on the items (they're modellers themselves ). You can also obtain more info on their FB site.

 

 

 

[Mistral]

Here are the actual resin parts as they arrive in the box - the PM3 beam and two Mk. 82 bombs as used by the South African Air Force. Regarding the Mk. 82, they provide a number of fuse options which you need to make sure ops before you order. The resin beam is accurate in scale and detail as a sample was available at the Johannesburg Museum of Military History for Artman and I to measure.

 

 

[Mistral]

32nd scale South African V3B Kukri missile and launcher as carried on Mirage IIICZ, RZ and F1AZ :

 

 

 

 

[Mistral]

32nd RPK combined fuel tank / bomb carrier. This was an Israeli designed item. It is not the same as the French 4-bomb RPK fuel tank / bomb carrier. These were used by South African Air Force (SAAF) Mirage IIICZs in combat operations as well as the later Cheetah variants operated by the SAAF. These were also used by other air forces and on Israeli Kfirs. The box :

 

 

The contents - comes with two tanks and 4 bombs. These were always carried symmetrically on the inboard wing pylons.

 

 

Very nice instructions :

 

 

 

 

The tanks are split into 3 sections and are connected using cyano glue. Correct orientation is ensured through a key method on each interfacing part. In the image below, the bomb shackle detail can be seen - the little reinforcing plates must be cut away with a sharp blade. These samples are 32nd scale.

 

 

Edited October 3, 2023 by Mistral
corrected image

[Mistral]

More detail of the tank fins :

 

 

 

The tanks are dimensionally correct and details accurate based on measurements taken of the real thing at the SAAF Museum at Swartkop Air Base. In the image below, the tanks have been assembled with the dimensioned drawing as a backdrop. Artman used these dimensions to create the 3D CAD for 3D printing.

 

 

Primed with Tamiya fine grey primer :

 

 

 

[BiggTim]

Boy, that is nice looking stuff!!!

[Tomcatfreak]

3 hours ago, Mistral said:

More detail of the tank fins :

 

 

 

The tanks are dimensionally correct and details accurate based on measurements taken of the real thing at the SAAF Museum at Swartkop Air Base. In the image below, the tanks have been assembled with the dimensioned drawing as a backdrop. Artman used these dimensions to create the 3D CAD for 3D printing.

 

 

Primed with Tamiya fine grey primer :

 

 

 

Cool, is he doing the fuel tank with the 4 bombs as well? What is the easiest way to order these items?

[Mistral]

21 hours ago, Tomcatfreak said:

Cool, is he doing the fuel tank with the 4 bombs as well? What is the easiest way to order these items?

 

Not sure about the 4 bomb one. They have a Facebook site via which you can correspond with them. They also sell via local hobby shops in South Africa but not sure about Europe or elsewhere.

[gregair]

Hi Tomcatfreak,

 

All items can be ordered from Justin at artmandeltasales@gmail.com

We are glad that you like our items, we are looking at the 4 bomb RPK drop tanks but do not have a set timeframe for them at the moment

Regards

Greg

[morane]

Hello
All this sounds excellent but when I wanted to place an order it was impossible to choose any other country than South Africa on the "checkout" page.

Regards

Richard