1:72 BLG-66 Belouga cluster bombs (Mirage F.1, Mirage 2000, Jaguar)

The real subject

The BLG-66 Belouga is a French cluster aircraft bomb. Instead of one large charge it carries a casing that opens above the target and scatters a large number of smaller submunitions over an area. In shape it is a smooth cigar-like body with small fins at the rear, so on a model it looks different from classic bombs with a conical nose, and that is exactly why it is recognizable at first glance.

Which aircraft the stores belong on

The name states the intended use for the Mirage F1, the Mirage 2000 and the Jaguar. The Mirage F1 and the Mirage 2000 are French combat aircraft from the Dassault company, and the SEPECAT Jaguar is a joint British and French attack aircraft. All three belong to European equipment of the 1970s and 1980s, so the bombs suit models in a configuration for attacking ground targets. The package holds the bombs in more than one piece, which makes sense with underwing stores, as they are carried symmetrically.

Building and painting tips

The parts are not made of polystyrene and ordinary cement for plastic has no effect on them, so use super glue. Cut the surplus material away with a sharp blade a little way from the part and sand the rest down so that the smooth shape of the body is kept. Wash and degrease the parts before painting. While fitting them, watch that the bombs hang vertically and at the same height; asymmetrical stores are more visible on a finished model than any detail. The particular procedure of preparation is given by the instructions of the manufacturer.

Who it is for

For modelers who build European combat aircraft with a real combat load and do not want to settle for the simplified stores from a kit. The kit, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.