Mirage F-1CZ

1/72 Revell
South African Air Force
3 Squadron

Late 1970s

A work in progress...

For this build I will be using the 1/72 Revell kit of the Mirage F-1C. This was originally a Hasegawa kit which isn't that bad although it has raised panel lines and a few other minor inaccuracies. I will add a few details here and there but building it mostly out of the box.

I am building Mirage F-1CZ #203 as seen in the photo below. I am guessing this photo was taken sometime in the late 1970's, possibly soon after the aircraft was delivered to the SAAF.

I have had this photo since I was 2 or 3 years old. Both my parents worked at an engineering company that manufactured parts etc. for the South African Defence Force and they always brought us pictures, posters and magazines including this photo. It was on the fridge door in the kitchen for a very long time and I am convinced that it was one of the main contributors that sparked my interest in aviation and the SAAF.

On 5 October 1982, Major Johan Rankin shot down a second Angolan MiG-21 while flying No.203 (although it is disputed by some whether the MiG actually went down). The airframe is currently on display at the SAAF Museum at AFB Swartkop in Pretoria. I'll be building this aircraft as seen in the photo above - in-flight. The photo can be seen on this webpage together with another photo of the same three-ship pitching and I'm thinking this is how I will display my model.

I started re-scribing the main wings and elevators. The plastic is very hard and it is proving to be a challenge. I am using a Trumpeter scribing tool and Dymo tape. This tool seems to be working very well.

Also started riveting the elevators with a Trumpeter riveting tool.

Currently busy riveting the wings and added clear navigation lights on the wingtips.

Started work on the cockpit. I added a resin seat left over from a Scaleworx conversion set and a pilot figure from PJ Productions. A few details were added to the instrument panel using styrene bits.

And painted it all up...

Next I will be joining the fuselage halves and more re-scribing!