Dassault Mirage F.1C

Kitty Hawk Models, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Mick Evans

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This new kit from KittyHawk is excellent and represents a huge step up in quality and detail as the company gains experience in model kit production.  

Previously the only kit of a Mirage F.1C in 1/48 scale was the very old Esci/Italeri kit.  This new kit from KittyHawk is a vast improvement over the old Esci kit to the point that you cannot compare the two in quality and detail. 

This kit contains many sprues common with the previously released Mirage F.1B dual seat version.  The box contains approximately 330 light grey injection moulded parts, 9 clear injection moulded parts and 13 etched metal parts. 

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The detail on the plastic parts is excellent with the cockpit being enhanced by etched metal instrument panels and side consoles.  No less than 20 parts make up the cockpit detail and the level of detail should suffice for most modellers.  Etched metal seat belts and a plastic ejection seat handle enhance the ejection seat detail. 

The wheel wells contain good structural detail along with some hydraulic pipe detail as well.  A full engine is included with detailed compressor blades and compressor guide vanes with the electro turbo starter attached. 

A complete after burner is moulded as part of the engine.  This has nicely moulded after burner liners moulded to the inside halves of the engine along with detailed turbine blades and afterburner flame holder rings.  A fully open exhaust aperture made from four parts completes the after burner detail.  The aperture is completed with an etched metal part that contains the hot nozzle flaps and the linkage rods connecting the hot nozzle flaps to the outer cold nozzle flaps.

The undercarriage detail and wheels are excellent and Kitty Hawk has not missed the detail on the inside of the undercarriage doors, something many other manufactures leave out or have ugly mould knock out pin marks in the middle of the detail.  This company has been very smart and strategic in the placement of knock out pin marks, any visible pin marks can be removed easily without damage to the detail.

The surface detail on the kit is finely recessed, not overdone and appears to be very accurate.

Separate flaps and leading edge slats are provided allowing these to be positioned in the lowered or streamlined position.  Etched metal spoilers are provided and these have very nicely etched perforations that will represent the real thing.  The speed brake wells have very nice detail and the speed brakes themselves have nicely moulded perforations but the instructions have them fixed in the closed position and strangely with no actuators provided to display them open.   These should be easy to scratch build.

Parts are provided to tailor the kit as either a Mirage F.1CR or CT with the differing under nose sensor or reconnaissance camera being provided along with the differing fin antennas and sensors.

The canopy parts are separately moulded and are crystal clear, they should be easy to mask and paint as the frame lines are clearly defined.

The kit has a huge array of weapons as follows:

2 x 1200 litre tanks to be fitted to wing pylons or one to centre line pylon
1 x 2000 litre tank to be fitted to the centre line pylon
2 x  Super Matra 530F Air to Air missiles
2 x Super Matra 530D Air to Air missiles
1 x AS 30 Missile
2 x GBU-12 500lb Paveway II bombs
2 x Matra BLU-107 Durundal bombs
2 x AGM-65 Maverick Air to ground missiles with single launch rails
1 x Barax dual band ECM pod
1 x Barracuda ECM Pod
1 x Phimat ECM Pod
2 x Python Air to Air missiles (Israeli)
2 x AIM 9L
2 X Matra 550
6 x BAP100 and carriers
2 X Matra 68mm rocket pods
2 x BLG 66
1 x Atlis Laser Designator Pod
1 x 1000Lb BLG
2 x 400Lb BLG
4 x 250Kg Bombs
2 x BLU 107

I am unsure as to the fit of the Israeli Python 4 but I am assuming these are for Ecuador based Mirage F.1AJs that were upgraded by IAI.

Markings

Markings are provided for four Mirage F.1Cs in service both the French and Spanish Air Force as follows:

• Mirage F.1CR No 611 (F-UICA)  1’ER 1/33 of the French Air Force in 1987.  This aircraft is finished in Dark Brown and Middle Stone upper surfaces and camouflage grey under surfaces. A shark mouth is painted under the nose.

• Mirage F.1CR No 330-AT, 655 of the French Air Force painted for the NATO Tiger meet in 2002.  This aircraft is finished in Middle Sea Grey and Dark Green upper surfaces and light ghost grey under surfaces.

• Mirage F.1CT No 368-E.C 2/30 of the French Air Force based at Colmar in 2009.  This aircraft is finished in Middle Sea Grey and Dark Green upper surfaces and light ghost grey under surfaces.

• Mirage F.1CR C.14-36 0f 142 Sqn of the Spanish Air Force based at Albacete Avril in 1988.  This aircraft is finished in Dark Brown, light brown and dark green upper surfaces and light grey under surfaces.

The three decal sheets are crisply printed and in register, and are glossy in finish.

Stencils are included for the airframe and for the ordnance.

This kit is superb and packed with parts and detail.  It is very difficult to find anything negative with the kit.

Highly Recommended to experienced modellers.

Thanks to Kitty Hawk Models for the sample

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