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First Look Review
148
1/48 Mirage 2000 detail set
1/48 scale Mirage 2000 detail set for Heller kit
  • 01119

by: Jean-Luc Formery [ TEDMAMERE ]

Introduction
The 1/48 scale Mirage 2000 from Heller is the best kit available to date of this Armée de l'Air aircraft and also one of the better efforts of the French plastic model manufacturer. However, despite the fact that the overall shape of the Dassault plane has been reproduced quite well, the level of detail isn't up to today's standards. Fortunately, R-Flight comes to rescue for those who want to have an accurate Mirage 2000 in their modern jet collection, a plane that is currently used by several Air Forces around the world (Brazil, Egypt, Emirats, Greece, India, Peru, Qatar and Taiwan).

The Kit
The Mirage 2000 detail set from R-Flight comes in a medium size zip lock plastic bag. In it there are several smaller bags with numerous resin parts which will greatly enhance the level of detail of the model. Despite the fact that my package was heavily maltreated by the French Postal Service, I found no damaged parts in my sample.

Below is a detailed list of all the items included in the set:
- 2 X exterior elevons (L&R)
- 2 X interior elevons (L&R)
- 8 X elevon hinges covers
- 2 X "Spiral" chaff launchers (L&R)
- 1 X "Sabre" jammer device
- 2 X "Serval" side antennas
- 2 X resin main landing gear tyres
- 2 X resin main landing gear rims
- 2 X vinyl main landing gear tyres
- 2 X resin forward landing gear wheels
- 2 X forward landing gear lights
- 1 X light support frame
- 1 X acetate sheet for light covers
- 1 X forward landing gear compass
- 1 X air refueling probe
- 1 X 3 piece engine exaust
- 1 X rear electrical connector
- 1 X rear electrical connector cover
- 2 X wing root air intakes
- 1 X top fuselage air intake
- 1 X brake line wire

As you can see, the set is rather complete and I must say the overall quality is very good. All the parts have been molded in a light yellow resin except for the two vinyl tyres of course. I only found a single air bubble in the whole set (on one elevon) but the rest of the parts were flawless.

The engine exhaust is a piece of art! It is finely rendered and also paper thin. There are locators to get the 3 part assembly together and cleaning of the parts will be very easy. I don't expect any problem here and with a good paintjob this part of the model will look very realistic.

The four elevons are also nicely detailed, especially the hinges and their covers. Elevons are aircraft control surfaces that combines the functions of the elevator (used for pitch control) and the aileron (used for roll control), hence the name.

Other small bits can be found in the detail set such as an air refueling probe, several counter-measure launchers and air intakes. A rear electrical connector is also provided which can be displayed in the opened position and will therefore open some diorama possibilities. All these smaller resin parts are also nicely done.

To finish, there are various parts which will advantageously replace one of the weaker point of the kit: the landing gear. The main wheels are provide both in resin and vinyl but it's the forward landing gear which will benefit the most of this set.

No assembly instructions are provided in the set other than an A4 sheet with a part listing and pictures of a model fitted with the resin parts. In this case it should be more than enough for a successfull build. I've added some original pictures taken from R-Flight's website to this review... sometimes pictures are better than 1000 words.

Conclusion
This is a very fine set and I recommend it to anyone wanting to add this French jet to his collection of modern aircraft models. Unfortunately, there are no "Tamigawa" alternatives to the Heller Mirage 2000 kit yet, so R-Flight's efforts are to be encouraged. My only complain is that there are no parts for the cockpit in the set, but I'm sure it shouldn't be too long until this shortcoming of the Heller kit is also corrected by R-Flight.

Note: R-Flight have also produced two external fuel tank sets for Heller's Mirage 2000 kit. A review of them can be found here.

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AeroScale.
SUMMARY
Highs: Complete and highly detailed resin set for an unusual subject... if you are not French.
Lows: Heller kit may be difficult to find.
Verdict: This is a very fine set and I recommend it to anyone wanting to add the Mirage 2000 to his collection of modern aircraft models.
Percentage Rating
90%
  Scale: 1:48
  Mfg. ID: RF48029
  Suggested Retail: €27
  Related Link: www.renaissance-models.com
  PUBLISHED: May 04, 2007
  NATIONALITY: France
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 87.63%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 85.00%

Our Thanks to R-Flight!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Jean-Luc Formery (TedMamere)
FROM: MOSELLE, FRANCE

I'm mainly interested in WW2 aircraft and I build them in 1/48 scale.

Copyright ©2021 text by Jean-Luc Formery [ TEDMAMERE ]. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AeroScale. All rights reserved.



Comments

Looks like a very interesting set. I take it that docks like this are pretty universal? I mean a dock in the US, a dock in the UK, or a dock in Germany are all going to look pretty much the same? Also in the review you say "The standard dock set sells for $50.00 US, and is currently on special for $40.00 US." Then in the box showing the scale, item ID, etc, you list $60 as the price. Is the normal price $50 or $60?
MAY 24, 2007 - 08:34 PM
Hi All, Just so there is no confusion. The pictures of the dock scene under construction by Peter Fulgoney is of my 1/700 set. The special price of $40.00 is for the Standard set BFM-35003S. This price is good until May 31, 2007. There is no sale price on the Deluxe Set BFM-35003DX, price is $60.00. Most docks I have seen are pretty much the same the world over. You could use the dock sets for most anywhere you wish. Thank You, Harry
MAY 24, 2007 - 08:51 PM
Hi Harry Amounts appart, if Peter is working on your dock set, than there will be another winer soon at Telford Looking forward to see the job completed! Cheers, Skipper
MAY 25, 2007 - 03:10 AM
Hi Rui, We can only hope. See you at Telford Harry
MAY 25, 2007 - 06:38 AM
   
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