Heller 1/48 Mirage 2000C

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Stuart
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Heller 1/48 Mirage 2000C

Post by Stuart »

Hello folks!

Although I've started a Duke-style WIP thread, it occurred to me that there was enough interest in this kit in the stash thread that it would be worth building it here, with a nod to John's comments about the Aircraft board being quiet as well - so here's my Heller 1/48 Dassault Mirage 2000C - fresh from amazon and on the bench (ok car seat) within 5 minutes of it being delivered.

Thomas is right - it is a hell of a sexy looking jet!

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Two marking options - thankfully one for an aircraft used in the 1991 Gulf War which is exactly what I wanted.

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The decals also look good!

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I've never built a Heller kit before so I wasn't sure what to expect - I do like this style of box.

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Instructions look good - thankfully they've used Humbrol paint call outs. Although I don't use their paints much these days, I have painted with them for so long I still think in these numbers so it'll be really handy in visualising what it's supposed to look like.

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Three sprues with 92 parts - so not too complicated.

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The detail is pretty heavy but nice - certainly good enough for my brush painting skills.

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As Carlos said - at least it has the correct type of missiles.

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The plastic is the same soft grey stuff that Airfix tends to use - rather nice actually. One thing I did notice is the total lack of location tabs/pins on the insides of the fuselage halves for the cockpit and wheel wells - that's almost a short run kit style of doing things. I might add a few bits of sprue to sort it out.

I've assembled the cockpit tub and seat and am liking this kit already.

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I'll paint up the cockpit and decal it over the weekend. I'll be interested to see how it looks when it's done. I'll have to make some straps too.

Cheers all and thanks for looking in!
Stuart Templeton 'I may not be good but I'm slow...'
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LyleW
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Re: Heller 1/48 Mirage 2000C

Post by LyleW »

The man, the machine, Portman! Gonna be a good one. I thought you had purchased an airbrush?
To make each build less crappy than the last one. Or, put another way, "Better than the last one, not as good as the next one!"..
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Stuart
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Re: Heller 1/48 Mirage 2000C

Post by Stuart »

Thanks Lyle!
LyleW wrote:...I thought you had purchased an airbrush?
I had but... I've yet to get into using it.

As it stands I'm much quicker and much better at using a paint brush, and can get a better finish. That being said, perhaps I might try and paint the missiles etc. on this one with it and see how I get on.
Stuart Templeton 'I may not be good but I'm slow...'
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keavdog
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Re: Heller 1/48 Mirage 2000C

Post by keavdog »

That has some nice detail! Watching this one.
Thanks,
John
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Stikpusher
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Re: Heller 1/48 Mirage 2000C

Post by Stikpusher »

Oh that is nice indeed! :hmm:
"Surely I have made my meaning plain? I intend to avenge myself upon you, Admiral. I have deprived your ship of power, and when I swing 'round, I intend to deprive you of your life."

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Stuart
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Re: Heller 1/48 Mirage 2000C

Post by Stuart »

Thanks all,

One thing I have noticed is that the kit doesn't come with a centre-line drop tank, yet all of the images of Gulf War Mirages had them fitted. I'll have a troll around the AM.
Stuart Templeton 'I may not be good but I'm slow...'
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jkim
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Re: Heller 1/48 Mirage 2000C

Post by jkim »

Classic delta wing fighter! You don't see too many kits from Heller these days!
John aka JKim
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Stuart
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Re: Heller 1/48 Mirage 2000C

Post by Stuart »

This is my first - but I think they're still plugging away - they've certainly revamped all of their boxings recently. It's not a company I normally thing about but I'm impressed with what I see so far. I might get an N or a D after this one.

I love Mirages - I'm looking forward to getting it together!
Stuart Templeton 'I may not be good but I'm slow...'
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Medicman71
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Re: Heller 1/48 Mirage 2000C

Post by Medicman71 »

Very cool. I've read that Heller kits are like you said, short run kits. No locating tabs and heavy sprue gates on places that make clean up a pain in the butt.
Mike

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Stuart
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Re: Heller 1/48 Mirage 2000C

Post by Stuart »

I'm not sure if they're a short run company as such, maybe a half way house. But I've certainly heard the quality of their kits can vary a lot. So far I'd say this like building a good pre-Hornby Airfix kit.
Stuart Templeton 'I may not be good but I'm slow...'
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