1/48 Italeri Mirage 2000C  

with special scheme of the squadron "les Cigognes"

by Alexandre Studer

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Hello,

This is my 2nd submission to ARC. It is the Italeri Mirage 2000C at 1/48th with the special scheme commemorating the 20 years of the famous French Squadron "les Cigognes" on Mirage 2000C. The decals are from Syhartdecal (web site :
syhartdecal.free.fr/FR_index) are beautifully printed. Syhartdecal is specialised on colorful scheme for aircrafts such as the Mirage 2000, the Tornado, F-16 etc

The built of the kit went smoothly, except for the window, which did not fit well (one can see it on one of the pictures). I added the Neomega cockpit set, which improve a lot the details, as the cockpit is nearly non existent on the italeri kit. It fitted well in the aircraft.

I've submitted few pictures on a French modelling site (
www.master194.com) where it has been rightly pointed out that the decals are deemed for a Mirage 2000-5 and not a 2000C. There are few external differences between the 2 versions such as the nose and the tail (and a lot of internal differences). Frankly I did not pay attention that the decals are for the
2000-5 when I started the kit and now it's to late. And anyway, I don't know if there is a Mirage 2000-5 on quarter scale on the market and/or a correction set.

The set of decals contains also several masks in order to paint the body of the stork; so I first painted the aircraft in white, put the masks and then I painted the camouflage.

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

  

The film on the decals is in one piece; so it has to be cut closely and with care. The feathers were difficult to put in place, especially under the wings, but otherwise the decals are easy to put. The head of the stork is a decal but I painted over it to match the color with the color of the body of the bird. I put the usual layers of gloss lacquer before and after the decals and I finished with a layer of semi-gloss lacquer. I did not do any weathering as it is a demo airplane.

In conclusion, it was a good kit to do with a very nice and unusual scheme.  I did enjoy very much even if it was not always easy with the masks and the decals. I hope you will like this scheme.

Best regards

Alexandre

Photos and text © by Alexandre Studer