1:48 Mirage-2000-5 cockpit (Detailed edition) for Kinetic kit

The real subject

The Dassault Mirage 2000 is a French single-engine fighter with a delta wing and no horizontal tail. The 2000-5 version is its multirole upgrade: it was given a new radar and above all a reworked pilot's compartment, where dial instruments largely gave way to screens. That is what makes the cockpit of this version differ most from the older Mirage 2000s, and it is why it is worth paying attention to on a model.

What the set offers

It is a replacement cockpit in 1:48 scale, that is a swap of the pilot's compartment for parts with richer detail than an injection-molded kit allows. The set is listed as the more detailed edition and it is cut for the Kinetic kit. On a model with an open canopy the cockpit is the first place a viewer looks, so the extra work shows there more than anywhere else. With the canopy closed it makes sense rather on models built for the pleasure of the build itself.

Building and painting tips

• Dry-fit the parts before the build, as swapping the cockpit often calls for removing material inside the fuselage.
• Cut surplus material off with a sharp blade a little way from the part and sand the remainder down carefully.
• Cement for polystyrene may not hold on these parts; super glue is more reliable.
• Wash and degrease the parts before painting, otherwise the paint will not hold on a smooth surface.
• Bring the instrument panel and the side consoles to life with a dark wash and a dry brush, and the fine detail will then stand out.

Terms of supply

A cockpit set is supplied according to the list on the packaging. The kit of the aircraft, paints and glue are not included, unless stated otherwise.