1:48 Mirage F1 big set

Black Dog 1:48 Mirage F1 - big accessory set

This item is an accessory, not a model of an aircraft. It is a resin set from the Czech manufacturer Black Dog, intended for detailing a model of the Dassault Mirage F1 fighter in 1:48 scale. The big set designation suggests a more extensive package that brings several detail assemblies together in one; the particular make-up of the contents is stated on the box of the set.

The real subject

The Dassault Mirage F1 is a French single-engine fighter. It differs conspicuously from the older machines of the Mirage family in that it abandoned the delta wing in favor of a conventional swept wing with a horizontal tail surface. Thanks to that it had better behavior at low speeds and a shorter takeoff and landing run. It came in several versions from the interceptor to the reconnaissance one and became a widespread export type that served in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Tips for working with resin

First wash the castings in lukewarm water with dish soap, so that the remains of mold release agent disappear, because otherwise neither primer nor paint will hold. Cut the casting blocks away with a saw or a fine knife and never break them off; do the sanding wet and with respiratory protection, as resin dust must not be inhaled. They are glued exclusively with super glue. Test the parts dry before gluing them in and reckon with having to cut the original sections out of the plastic on larger sets. Resin is more brittle than plastic, so thin projections call for careful handling.

Who the set is for

• modelers of aircraft in 1:48 scale,
• builders who want open, fully detailed assemblies on a Mirage F1 model,
• experienced modelers with experience of resin and of cutting into plastic.

The set is supplied unpainted and is intended for working a kit up. The base model, glue and paints are not included in the package. The target kit is stated on the box of the set, so please check before buying that the set matches your model.