The Egyptian pilots were introduced to Mirage-III/5 fighters in the beginning of the seventies when about 20 Egyptian pilots traveled to Libya to fly its Mirage fighters. Egyptian pilots flew Libyan Mirage fighters during the war and they were pleased for its high performance.
The major order for Mirage-5 fighters was 1975 and the order was funded by some Saudi Arabia. Egypt went in a large Mirage-5 purchasing program in which she purchased more than 54 Mirage-5SDE, 16 Mirage-5SDDS, 6 Mirage-5SDDR and 16 Mirage-5SDDE2. Egyptian fighters were modified by advanced electronics and ECM systems. Egypt used these fighters in multi-role missions including air defense using guns and RR-550 Magic II missiles and ground attack using bombes and rockets as well as reconnaissance.
Egyptian Mirage-5 squadrons are based at Tanta, Genklis and Marsa-Matroh AFBs and they are expected to fly at lest till 2015. (source : http://www.egfighters.freehosting.net/mira.html)
High Planes brought out in the 2000s a first short-run model plastic. Very rustic, it was very accurate and was a good alternative to the Heller, very accurate too but with poor details.
A totally new model of Mirage IIIE was studied at the beginning of 2011. Halfway between a short-run and an industrial model, this new model went out in 2012.
Its high qualities are a wide choice of options allowing the realization of most of the versions of the Mirage III / 5 / 50 and derived with the same box. The model is also very well thought, easy to assembly, except the nose/cockpit which is delicate to match. Decorations proposed are also very pleasant. The partnership with PJ Production allows to have European high-quality versions also.
Its main defect is its engraving. Announced as an all new model, everybody dreamt about a definitive Mirage IIIE model. Not al all !! This engraving is too deeper and too smooth. Nevertheless, this model allows the realization of a completely attractive model.
At the end, we can thank High Planes for having produced this model, making accessible in a modern boitage a version until now reserved for only Heller.
The assembly follows strictly the assembly plan. A Mirage 5SDE corresponds to a French IIIE with a foot of wide drift and some additional antennas.
Another part is the three tones schemes with orange facing. This scheme comes from a 1975 exercice.
Finally decals results from a mix of a Carpena sheet and a very nice and high-quality FCM Sheet also proposing this decoration but without facings orange.
In the end, I'm quite happy with this model.
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