Dassault/BAe Mirage IVK (Buzzard GR.3)

[Devilfish]

After the TSR2 was scrapped, Dassault offered the Mirage !V with Spey engines.  Obviously, the RAF wanted the F-111K, but what if the MOD said no..

I built and original GR.1 back in 2017.  I used the Heller 1/48 kit and stretched the forward fuselage a scale 3 feet to counter the extra weight of the Speys
DSCF0073_zps2445b7f7 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

As I have 2 more in my stash, I thought it time to do an updated one....cue the GR.3

I started with the cockpit, using bits of old Eduard cockpit PE cut to fit
20250604_185409 by Paul Carter, on Flickr
20250605_173324 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

I sliced the fuselage and stretched it
20250606_165125 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

Filled the gap with milliput, and sanded
20250610_154320 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

I removed the big round radome from the underside, and again filled it with milliput.  I also looked into filling the semi-recess for the big French "seau de Soleil"

20250602_163543 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

My first thought was, as you can see, to make a plastic card panel, but it looked terrible.
So I got to thinking.  I was planning on hanging weapons off the inboard pylons so I'd lose the tanks....
Onto the computer and I designed and 3D printed a belly tank

20250615_182648 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

Which will look something like this
20250604_185227 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

So far, I've also added a stretched Phantom RWR to the fin top
20250615_182643 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

and designed and 3D printed a new nose section
20250615_182637 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

[Gondor]

That is looking very nice so far 

Gondor

[PR19_Kit]

I've always loved the look of the Mirage IV, every schoolboy's idea of a supersonic bomber!

Your original Spey Mirage IV looked superb, and the GR3's going to look even better by the look of it so far.

[kitbasher]

I've always loved the look of the Mirage IV, every schoolboy's idea of a supersonic bomber!

Your original Spey Mirage IV looked superb, and the GR3's going to look even better by the look of it so far.

Ditto.

[63cpe]

Lovely job. Can't wait to see this finished. Also plan to do a similar project.

David aka 63CPE

[Old Wombat]

 

[NARSES2]

Nice work on  the stretch 

[Scotaidh]

Love the idea - execution's looking good, too.    

[Devilfish]

Painted, decalled, and washed...

by

[Devilfish]

The Mirage IV was offered to the UK after the TSR2 was cancelled, however, the RAF opted for the F-111, which got cancelled and we ended up with the aircraft that was offered in the first place, the Buccaneer.

Dassault offered to fit Spey engines and some British avionics to the Mirage IV, which would have meant stretching the fuselage 3 feet to offset the extra weight of the Speys.

The GR.1 entered service in 1969, being regularly updated as tech improved.

By the mid nineties, as the nuclear deterrent was now almost fully in Navy hands, the IV underwent it's biggest rebuild, to bring it up to date.  All aircraft were stripped, zero lifed, and re-engined with new EJ400's, the bigger brother of the EJ200, under development for the upcoming Eurofighter 2000.

The cockpit was revamped, and full clear canopies fitted, and a one piece windscreen, for better vision.

The underside ground mapping/following  radar removed, and a more modern all in one system fitted in the nose

Used by several squadrons in various roles, this one is from 12 Sqn, Lossiemouth, in the anti-shipping role

20250628_201334 by Paul Carter, on Flickr
20250628_201430 by Paul Carter, on Flickr
20250628_201410 by Paul Carter, on Flickr
20250628_201339 by Paul Carter, on Flickr
20250628_201345 by Paul Carter, on Flickr
20250628_201400 by Paul Carter, on Flickr
20250628_201416 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

[PR19_Kit]

Ohhh yes, very good. 

Where did you get those flare dischargers near the exhausts from? I was looking for some the other with no result.

[Gondor]

Those would be AN/ALE-40 Dispensers Kit, You should find some in the last boxing of the Old Airfix Buccaneer or in the latest boxing of the Buccaneer in 1/72. There may be other sources available as well.

Gondor

P.S. I have a few spares in 1/72 if you need any Kit.

[McColm]

Well done 

[PR19_Kit]

Those would be AN/ALE-40 Dispensers Kit, You should find some in the last boxing of the Old Airfix Buccaneer or in the latest boxing of the Buccaneer in 1/72. There may be other sources available as well.

Magic, thanks Alastair. 

I have at least two of the old Buccs and one of the new ones, so I should be OK. Thanks for the offer anyway.

[Weaver]

That looks very good.

The front end, including the canopies, reminds me of a Super Etendard, which is highly appropriate, of course.

How did you do the clear canopies?