1/48 Heller Mirage 2000BGM

by Constantinos Stoumpanos

--------------------

Greece Independence Day 2007

 

Hello, everybody.

            After  returning to the big modelling family, I decided to go on and construct a Mirage 2000BGM in HAF(Hellenic Air Force), colors.  The only available kit in the scale was that of Heller's, and so the journey began.  The kit was for the -N type, so I had to make a -B type out of it.  It was a very difficult construction (for my league), especially in the cockpits, where I used two Eduard photoetched sets for the Mirage 2000C Heller kit.  A lot of improvements there, and in particular on both HUDs, which where made by scratch.  All the canopies had fit problems because of the photoetched parts, that weren't supposed to be used on this kit, but I think I managed it quite well.

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

         A lot of changes too, on the fuselage, the wings and the tail, to create a Greek M2000B.  The differences are spotted on the tail and fuselage antennas, and the units self-protecting system ICMS-2000.  I also scratchbuilt the Magic-2 missile and the rear part of the centerline, attached on the fuselage, and a few details inside the main landing gear bays.  The kit was also in lack of stencil walkways, so I had to paint them myself. Unfortunately, I decided to make the s/n 203 M-2000BGM, which was lost during training in a accident, but I was told that after applying the beautiful Icarus Decals stencil set for Greek Mirage 2000.

       In the end, it was a difficult, but fun to build, I learned a lot of stuff, along with all the suggestions and points made, by my friands at www.modelclub.gr. Thanks for looking, I hope you enjoyed seeing my work.

Costas aka Melpas1013

Photos and text © by Constantinos Stoumpanos