AML 1/72 scale AMD Mirage IIIC

Manufacturer: AML, available from Squadron Mail Order, 1115 Crowley Drive, Carrollton, TX 75011-5010, 972-242-8663 www.squadron.com
Kit: No. 72 010
Scale: 1/72
Price: $17.98
Comments: Injection-molded, 77 parts (14 photoetched metal, 38 resin, 1 vacuum-formed canopy), decals
Pros: Good exterior detail, excellent resin and photoetched parts, well-printed decals
Cons: Overall fit is poor, no underwing ordnance, no open-canopy option

The Dassault Mirage is one of the most distinctive jet fighters ever produced. This supersonic single seat, single-engine, delta-wing fighter has flown for air forces all over the world.


AML has released a new, limited-run, injection-molded kit of the Mirage IIIC. The light-gray plastic parts have good recessed panel lines, but there are some rough edges and a little flash. The resin parts are very thin and well detailed, but be careful cutting them from their pour stubs as they are fragile.


The deep intakes with their sharp edges look great. The cockpit includes resin and photoetched metal parts, but you won't see much of the detail with the one-piece, vacuum-formed closed canopy. The wheels, landing gear doors, afterburner, radome, and tiny fuselage scoops are also resin.


The most complicated photoetched metal assembly is the instrument panel and head-up display - study the instructions carefully. The remaining photoetched parts comprise antennas and static probes.


Much detail is provided, but it is strange that no ordnance or external fuel tanks are included.


The instructions are vague on parts locations. Using the landing gear struts as given, the model takes on a nose-down attitude (I think the main struts are too long). Since the resin parts are not numbered on their stubs, you have to keep checking the parts map in the instructions. On the good side, the instructions provide Humbrol paint numbers and Federal Standard numbers, and the markings diagrams are well done.


I spent a lot of time test-fitting parts and shaving excess plastic to obtain a good fit. One must be careful sanding seams between plastic and resin parts, as the resin is softer than the plastic. Assembling the wings over the resin main wheel wells was difficult, and I had to shave the inner surface of the upper wings to make room. Positioning of the cockpit tub is keyed to the nose-wheel well.


AML provides markings for one French and four Israeli Mirages - one natural-metal machine (the one I modeled) sports 10 victories from the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. The decals were accurately printed and include a lot of stenciling, but they are very thin and break apart if moved on the model.


I spent 40 hours on my Mirage, and I recommend this kit only to modelers who have experience with poorly fitting parts. I used Warbirds Illustrated No. 32 Mirage by Jean-Pierre Decock as my source for dimensions and markings.