1/48 Scale Kinetic 2000B

Gallery Article by Burt Gustafson on Jan 31 2012

 

 

For your viewing pleasure, here are some photos of my 1/48 scale Kinetic Mirage 2000B. The Mirage 2000 is a multi-role, single-engine fourth-generation jet fighter manufactured by the French company Dassault Aviation. It was designed as a lightweight fighter based on the Mirage III for the French Air Force (Armée de l'Air). The Mirage 2000 soon evolved into a multi-role aircraft with several variants. The variants include the Mirage 2000N and 2000D strike aircraft. Over 600 Mirage 2000s have been built, many are in service with nine countries.

The model here depicts a Mirage 2000B which is a two-seat training aircraft, primarily used for conversion training from the Mirage 2000C to either the 2000D or 2000N. However, the 2000B can be quickly upgraded to serve in combat roles. The French Air Force acquired 30 Mirage 2000Bs.

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Construction
This was an out of the box build and went together pretty well despite a lot of flash and a fair amount of seam filling and sanding. The cockpit module goes together well and fits nicely into the right fuselage half, but the detail for the instrument panels is poor. However, with careful painting the cockpit module looks pretty good. You have the option of and open or closed canopy. I prefer a closed canopy, and with this kit the four piece canopy fit perfectly.

The kit provides optional parts for the three Mirage 2000 variants. I chose to go with 2000B options. The kit also gives you the option of having the flaps up or down, I went with the flaps down. The instruction document illustrates how to install all eight wheel well doors in the open position. However, when the real aircraft is on the ground, only five doors are open; two for the main gears and three for the nose gear. I equipped my Mirage 2000B with two under wing fuel tanks and two Magic II missiles.

Painting
Kinetic provides paint schemes for four aircraft, three French aircraft and one for the Hellenic Air Force. The model here is painted in the French Mirage 2000B paint scheme. All paints used are Model Masters or Floquil enamel paints. The top and undersides of the model were airbrushed with Light Ghost Gray. The topside camouflage pattern was airbrushed using Intermediate Blue, and the radome with Gunship Gray. The wheel wells, landing gears, and the inside of the wheel well doors were hand painted with Floquil Bright Silver.

Decals
The decals Kinetic provides are a little thin, but are well printed and lay down over detail nicely with a touch of Micro Sol Setting solution.

Comments
Despite the glaring absence of instrument panel decals The Kinetic Mirage 2000B was a nice build. The parts fit was decent, the external detail is good, and the decals went on without problems. 

Burt Gustafson

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Photos and text © by Burt Gustafson