The 50 series of Mirages were developed as attack aircraft, though exports were limited. Chile purchased fourteen single seaters and two trainers. At the beginning of the nineties, they underwent a complex redesign and emerged as the PANTERA, a much more capable aircraft that remained in service until 2005.
This kit started as a simple conversion of our standard Mirage IIIE. After all all the parts were there already weren't they???
Well.....
With help from Hernan Meza, Nelson Aguilera and Pablo Correa from Chile, I learned I was wrong!
Eventually, with Hernans help in particular, I figured out all the differences.
Now you get, yes the original Mirage..
Then you get-
New nose, tailfin, instrument panel, air intakes, aux intakes for engine cooling, refuelling probe, underfuselage pylons, undercarriage doors, and new dorsal hump. And of course the full etch fret with all the antennaes. I gave up on the decals and had Felipe Miranda from FCM come to my rescue.
Anyway, the kit builds up beautifully given some care, as Hernans model attests.