This model has
been sitting on my shelf for ages and I had recently ordered the newly
tooled Mystere that has just been released on the market. While waiting
for the delivery my interest piqued to levels of impatience and I decided
to start the Matchbox and try and scratch build her to modern day
standards.
Click on
images below to see larger images
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The model was
quite a basic fit with lots of filler required. I decoded to scratch build
the wheel well bays and the cockpit. I used spare MiG-21 airbrakes which had
the right curvature for the cockpit side walls, ordered a custom
resin ejection seat and sheet plasticard for the rest. This also
required panel line scribing and rivets to be made with my handy Rosie the
Riveter Tool from UMM. My father flew the Mystere in the 1960s and said he
really enjoyed flying this aircraft and the only aircraft that compared to
her in sheer pleasure to fly was the Sabre, who although much more fun to
fly was very tame. The Mystere had many dangerous qualities that a good
fighter pilot can use to his advantage. Quite like Erich Hartmann said
about the Bf-109.
I painted her
with a Black Base Alclad and then Alclad 101 Aluminum. I then came through
with Dull aluminum and sprayed the panel lines with card shading. A
rare picture obtained from a rare source sealed the deal and I painted her
with the Glamorous '60s markings of Ambala Based Dassault Mystere IVA of No
3 Squadron "Cobras" .
The Mystere
was in its hey day one of the most advanced and sophisticated airplanes
the IAF had in its inventory and it served with distinction in two wars
and beyond.
I do hope you
all enjoy the rare view of a beautiful '60s French masterpiece that I have
tried to represent.
Jai Hind
Navin Bala
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