Home  |  What's New  |  Features  |  Gallery  |  Reviews  |  Reference  |  Forum  |  Search

"The Dark Mirage"
Mirage F.1 Decals

 

 

Albatros Modelworks

 


Albatros Productions' Mirage F.1 Decals will be available online from Squadron.com

 

S u m m a r y
Catalogue Number: ALC-48010
ALC-72010
Scale: 1/48 and 1/72 (1/48 scale set being reviewed)
Contents and Media: Three full-sized 13.5cm x 20cm decal sheets; one decal sheet approx. 13.5cm x 3.5cm; three double sided, letter sized, full colour instruction sheets; one single-sided stencil marking sheet;
Price: USD$14.99 RRP
Review Type: First Look
Advantages: Fabulous range of nationalities, schemes and markings; perfect registration; excellent and inspirational colour instructions; stencils supplied
Disadvantages: No 1/48 scale Mirage currently in production
Recommendation: Highly Recommended for anyone building a Mirage F.1 in 1/72 or 1/48


Reviewed by Brett Green

 

F i r s t L o o k

 

In previous reviews on HyperScale, I have occasionally discussed the "inspiration factor" - the potential for a model or accessory to inspire an interest in a previously overlooked subject. Albatros Modelworks has a big supply of this "inspiration factor" as far as I am concerned.

Albatros Modelworks' latest decal release in 1/72 and 1/48 scale is "The Dark Mirage". The subject aircraft is the Mirage F.1.

The generous contents of "The Dark Mirage" set are packed into a ziplock bag. There are three full-sized decal sheets plus a small supplemental sheet with a black false canopy (although I cannot find reference for its use). One decal sheet is dedicated to national markings, the second contains larger stencil markings and special markings and the third large sheet includes ID Numbers, serial numbers, stripes and small stencils. The decals on my 1/48 scale sample are in perfect register and display minimal carrier film.

Albatros Modelworks traditionally cast far and wide for subject matter, and this newest release is no exception. Air Forces covered on this sheet comprise:

  • South Africa
  • Jordan
  • Morocco
  • Greece
  • Iraq
  • Spain
  • Libya

18 separate aircraft are illustrated on the three double-sided, full-colour instruction sheets. These schemes cover high-viz browns and greens, low-viz greys and many combinations in between. It will also be possible to depict many more aircraft using the individual ID and serial numbers supplied with this set.

As always, the glossy instructions are real highlight. They will provide a new source of inspiration for many modellers who might have previously never thought about building an aircraft in South African, Iraqi, Jordanian or Morrocan markings!

An additional letter-sized sheet in black-and-white will aid stencil placement.

 

 

Conclusion

 

This is another terrific release from Albatros Modelworks. The only shortcoming is the current absence of a 1/48 scale Mirage F.1 model kit on the market.

However, any modeller with the Hasegawa 1/72 scale Mirage F.1 (currently available) or the old 1/48 scale ESCI kit stashed away in the model cupboard should get this decal set while it is available.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Eli from Albatros Productions for the review sample.


Albatros Productions Decals are available from many dealers including CRM Hobbies ,  Linden Hill Imports , Great Models webstore , Flightdecs , Meteor Productions , Victory Models , Hannant's , North American Hobbies and Squadron Mail Order


Review Copyright © 2001 by Brett Green
This Page Created on 16 October, 2001
Last updated 22 July, 2003

Back to HyperScale Main Page

Back to Reviews Page