1/48 Kinetic Mirage 2000-H

Gallery Article by Leonard Prakasam on Aug 15 2020

  India Independence Day 

 

      

21 years ago, the Kargil war was fought valiantly by the Indian armed forces to evict the intruders (ragtag bunch of Pakistani regulars and mercenaries) from key strategic heights overlooking the Kargil valley. Operation Safed Sagar was the air component of the effort to drive the enemy back.

The model I made is of one such asset that was instrumental in precision bombing of two heights, Muntho Dalo and Tiger hill, that helped change the course of the war.

The 1:48 scale Mirage-2000 H of the Indian Air Force, belongs to the No. 7 Sqn., “Battleaxes”.

The “Vajra” was a deadly launch platform for the 1000 lb. Laser Guided Bomb working in conjunction with the “Litening” targeting and surveillance pod. Though this combination of targeting pod/ bomb was not originally outfitted on the Mirage, technicians of the Indian Air Force were able to quickly retrofit the aircraft and that made all the difference!

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The build was pretty straight forward with the only fit up issue being the wing seams. The model was primed and painted using acrylics. All the camo patterns were done free hand. To represent the model in the exact configuration of the raid, I had to add Isracast's Litening pod and Eduard's LGB. The pitot was from Mastermodel and the exhaust turkey feathers were from the Eduard External detail PE sheet. 

The panel lines and rivet details were enhanced with a sludge wash and sealed with a final matt coat.

Overall, a good build and itching to start work on the 2-seater TH! Will definitely make the TH in the new upgraded version that currently serves in the Indian Air Force.

Dedicated to all the air warriors of the Indian Air Force and Happy Independence Day. Jai Hind!

Leonard Prakasam

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Photos and text © by Leonard Prakasam