Mirage F1 East German Navy

[anthonyp]

This is one of those old 1/72 ESCI Mirage F1C's.  I found a pic on this site of someone's East German Navy carrier capable Su-22 (or was it Su-17?) painted up similar to this, and got inspired.  Haven't really thought about the politics of the Whif world that this exists in (two Frances, North France ally to the West, South France part of the GLORIOUS revolution).

Backstory:

The East German Navy acquired their Mirage F1's in 1982.  They undertook antishipping missions, being equipped with AM39 Exocets or other European Block ASuW missiles.  The planes were based along the Northern shore, as well as in socialist Southern France.  By 1995, most were removed from service once Germany was reunited after the fall of communism.

This particular example is seen on the ramp prior to a mission out over the Baltic.

More pics can be found here.

[Archibald]

Cool!! an antiship Mirage F-1...maybe there was a connection with Iraq?  

[Patrick H]

Looking great Anthony. something about the light grey colors on the F1 makes it look even beter then it is.



Patrick

[Gary]

Nifty man, I like how youre doing more backstory too. You are certainly one of the most prolific modelers here. I haven't been abole to touch plastic for 7 weeks, but I live vicarously thru you man.

Cheers
Gary

[Brian da Basher]

Love it in that light gray and East German markings Anthony! She looks every bit the winner!  

Brian da Basher

[Archibald]

as in socialist Southern France

You chose 1982 year, the perfect year for that! In 1981, Socialist Miterrand won the elections and the communist entered the governement first time from 1947. Many people -including my mother!- thought about Soviet Tanks on the Champs Elysée! Suppose this rumor was right, we can imagine a communist riot in the south, leading to a southern socialist France  
With Dassault plant in Bordeaux, maybe some F-1 would end in East Germany.  

[lancer]

Amazing F1. Spatman's right though, the Grey DOES make the F1 look a VERY attractive machine.