PJ Production 1/72 Mirage IIIE Kit First Look
by Michael Benolkin
Date of Review | November 2012 | Manufacturer | PJ Production |
---|---|---|---|
Subject | Mirage IIIE | Scale | 1/72 |
Kit Number | 721026 | Primary Media | Styrene, Resin, Photo Etch |
Pros | Very nice detailing | Cons | Nothing noted |
Skill Level | Experienced | MSRP (Euro) | 29.50€ |
First Look
Marcel Bloch, famous French aircraft designer prior to the fall of France to Germany, adopted the covert name used by his brother in the underground and become Marcel Dassault. After producing a number of combat aircraft designs building on the captured knowledge of WW2 German aviation research, Dassault turned to the challenge of developing a Mach 2 interceptor that would keep France in step with aircraft developments in Britain, USSR and the United States.
The result of the Mach 2 design effort was the delta-winged Mirage III which first flew in 1956. Since that successful milestone, the Mirage has evolved into a capable fighter, fighter-bomber, reconnaissance aircraft, and more. The Mirage IIIC in particular was designed as an all-weather interceptor that could perform ground attack missions in daylight.
PJ Production has teamed up with High Planes Models to release several variants of the Mirage 3 and Mirage 5 series aircraft. Produced in high-pressure styrene molds, this kit is presented on four parts trees of gray styrene plus one tree of clear parts. Additional parts are also provided cast in tan resin.
The kit is very modular to allow for a variety of possibilities straight out of this box including some that are intended for future releases. Among the features and options in this kit:
- Nice cockpit
- Positional canopy
- Optional photo-etched boarding ladder
- Choice of subsonic 1300 liter, 1700 liter or supersonic 500 liter external tanks
The modularity of this kit plus the resin enhancements make it possible to replicate any number of special configurations in the Mirage III and Mirage V families. The subjects currently available include this Mirage V BA/BR, a Mirage IIIE which we will examine separately, the Mirage IIIO, IAI Dagger A, and IAI Nesher S. According to the parts on these trees, we'll also be seeing the Mirage III0 given the canards on the second parts tree.
The markings included in this kit are for :
- Mirage IIIE, 3-XG, EC 03/003, Nancy-Ochey AB, French AF, 1991
- Mirage IIIE, 4-BB, EC 02/004, Luxeuil AB, French AF, 1979
- Mirage IIIE, 13PJ, EC 02/013, Colmar AB, French AF, 1966
- Mirage IIIEE, 11-08, Sqn 112/Ala 11, Manises AB, Spanish AF, 1992
Paint instructions are given in Humbrol, Gunze/GSI, and Tamiya paints with references to FS595 or RAL where appropriate. The decal sheet also provides a nice assortment of maintenance stenciling.
This collaboration between High Planes Models and PJ Production has provided modelers with an excellent range of possibilities in the Mirage family. I've rated this kit as experienced skill level given the limited run approach will require some modeling skills to get everything assembled 'just right'. Now if only we had something similar in 1/48 scale...
You can order this kit from a number of companies listed on PJ Production's website or order the kit directly from them.
My sincere thanks to PJ Production for this review sample!