De Havilland Vampire T.11

 1/72 Airfix
ZU-VMP

A Tiny SAAF Gripen

 SAAB JAS-39 Gripen

1/144 Revell 

I started building this model a couple of years ago and decided that it is time to finish it. The version in the kit is for a JAS-39A Gripen. However, many parts are a bit inaccurate to start with. I added some scratch built details to get it to look more like a JAS-39C but some parts are still inaccurate. Still, I think it will look good when finished.

The model is very small but quite detailed.

I did some work on the ejection seat to make it look more like a Martin Baker Mk.10 seat.

Cockpit painted and fuselage closed up and ready to add the wings.

With the wings, canards and vertical stabilizer attached I made two new hardpoints for the wingtips.

Canopy masked and ready for painting.

Pre-shading was done next...

...and then the first layer of paint applied.

With the painting done I applied a clear coat of varnish before applying the decals.

The decals were designed using paint.net and printed on clear decal paper. Considering the scale of this model, I think it turned out quite well.

I wasn't able to print the slime light decals so I decided to use a set of decals from the spares box. I think these came from an old S-64 kit. 

Cut to size and applied in the correct areas of the kit.

Very happy with how it turned out. Next is a coat of gloss varnish before I start the weathering process.

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!

Dassault-Breguet Mirage F-1AZ

1/72 Airfix

South African Air Force

1 Squadron "Billy Boys"

Ondangwa, South West Africa, 1984