Subject: Re: 1/72 PJ prod Mirage IIIB-Daniel Truong
From: "Submissions for ARC" <[email-masked]>
To: "Daniel Truong" <[email-masked]>
Date: Sun, 13 Mar 2011 12:03:48 -0700

Hi,
I just wanted to let you know your article went on ARC today.  Thanks again for sending it in.

Steve Bamford
ARC Air - Aircraft Resource Center
http://www.arcair.com

Live like there is no tomorrow;
Love like you've never been hurt.
Work like you don't need the money.
Dance like nobody's watching.
Sing like nobody's listening.
Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Daniel Truong 
  To: [email-masked] 
  Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 7:05 AM
  Subject: 1/72 PJ prod Mirage IIIB-Daniel Truong

  Gallery Article Template

  "1/72 PJ production Mirage IIIB" 

  by "Daniel Truong"
  --------------------

        Steve Bamford will insert full sized version of photo 01.jpg here  

  It is my first submission to ARC, my favourite modeller's website. It's quite unusual to see all together productions from just beginners to elite modellers. Thank you, Steve, for keeping this friendly atmosphere. 

  The aircraft

  The Mirage IIIB is the twin-seat version of the Dassault Mirage IIIC. My model is the replica of a plane used as a trainer aircraft for strategic bomber crews in order to save flying hours to the Mirage IV fleet. It flew in the 60's and 70's with CIFAS 328 (strategic air force instruction centre) at Bordeaux. Some aircraft were loaned by CIFAS 328 to the 93rd and the 94th escadre de bombardement (strategic bomber squadrons) at Istres and Avord.

        Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 02.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 02.jpg Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 03.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 03.jpg Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 04.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 04.jpg Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 05.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 05.jp 

  The model

  PJ production Mirage IIIB is not an easy model to build. It requires filling and sanding, adding plastic card to fill the gap between the elevons. Fuselage, wings and tanks are in resin, canopy is vacu-formed and landing gear is cast iron. Small parts as Pitot tubes, landing gear torque links, tank stabilizers are photo-etched. The good thing is that you don't need any aftermarket products. It's all aftermarket! Everything you need is in the box, highly detailed, nicely engraved. Some parts come twice like the canopy. It is obviously designed for modellers. Decal sheet is one of the best I have ever used.

        Steve Bamford will insert full sized version of photo 06.jpg here  

  The finishing

  For the paint job, I used Alclad II lacquers: polished aluminium for bright areas, duralumium for matt areas and steel to darken locally. I don't know why but the paint had difficulties to stick on the resin and a whole bottle was necessary to paint the model. All decals are from the decals sheet of the box except the squadron insignias and the code letters. They are coming from two different sheets from Carpena, the one giving all the French squadrons insignias, and the one giving all the French codes. As said above, the decals come incredibly good on the surface with a drop of softener.

  It was really a pleasure to build this model. I recommend it warmly.

  Enjoy the photos!

  "Daniel Truong"

  Photos and text © by Daniel Truong