Nathan Dempsey Author
The next project is up and running. This one will likely get a slow start as there's another hurricane headed my way…

Nathan Dempsey Author
Well we survived that darn hurricane and had power restored yesterday by some fine Canadian fellows from Nova Scotia. The project continues with some progress to the fuselage.

Clifford Keesler
Watching. Glad you weathered the hurricane ok. Did not know you were in Florida. I am a transplanted Florida guy. I am from Panama City. Was down there the end of August, first time I had been back since 2001. Hurricane Michael sure messed up the place, but they have rebuilt a lot. The house I lived in from 1995-2001 no longer exist, hurricane Michael leveled it.

Nathan Dempsey Author
We were part of mandatory evac. I sent the family away and stayed since my parents are next door in a 100 year old frame home. We were lucky and had minimal damage. We just lost large oaks and our entire cow field was a shallow lake. Power was out for a while but I'm used to living simple during such times. Yeah Michael was a monster.

The plastic in this kit is quite fragile. Getting parts off the tree cleanly is quite difficult. Very happy with the ResKit parts! They are very clean and easy to prepare.

Nathan Dempsey Author
More work today included adding etched parts to the rear fuselage and filling large holes intended for oversized antennas. Will be replacing all antennas with etched parts or thin plastic sheet.

Clifford Keesler
Looking good Nathan. Glad you only had minor damage, and all is well.

Clifford Keesler
I have 2 ESCI Mirage 2000's wonder if they are the same as the Heller kit?

Nathan Dempsey Author
Thank you sir! The Heller kit is the same as the Eduard kit. I believe the ESCI kit is now the Italeri kit.

Clifford Keesler
OK, thanks. Any way I have 2, hope they are good.

Nathan Dempsey Author
Work continues. Today I added some etched hydraulic lines to the rear landing gear. Preparation begins for the ResKit wheel set.

Clifford Keesler
Looking very nice sir.

Desert Marlin
Excellent work!!!

Dutch
Nathan, I love checking in from time to time, (super busy with Hurricane Helene and Milton recovery at the house and the rented house.). Anyway, glad to see you start this project. Did you ever build the Monogram Mirage 2000 and ESCI Jaguar I sold you? K/r, Dutch

Nathan Dempsey Author
Thanks Clifford & Desert!

Dutch: Same here. Still cutting downed trees and burning it all. Too much to place by the streets. The Mirage waits in the stash and the Jag was built as a close copy of my Kosovo build and given to a friend.

Nathan Dempsey Author
Added some photos of continuing work which includes more paint work on the landing gear and exhaust, the addition of the painted ejection seat to the cockpit & the completed external fuel tank.

Clifford Keesler
Beautiful work.

Desert Marlin
Looks great! I suppose you are aware that the Mirage 2000 series aircraft have the option of an arresting hook or a parachute for landing? I believe either can be installed but only one of the two depending on airfields and conditions. Referring to photo #5.

Nathan Dempsey Author
Thanks Clifford & thanks for the catch on that parachute housing Desert!

I found a good picture of a '91 Mirage 2000 with the bigger chaff dispenser replacing the back of that housing. I'll need to go back and file that off and change the position of all the chaff dispensers. I'll add some pictures this evening.

Laurent VILLANUEVA HELLER ForEver
je vais suivre = 2000 et daguet !

Laurent VILLANUEVA HELLER ForEver
color pit = humbrol 27
radome = 64 ,
grey 127
blue = 144 with white...

Guy Rump
Looking good, following. 👍

Nathan Dempsey Author
Welcome Laurent and thanks for the color info! Paint work is near.

Thanks Guy! 🙂

Desert Marlin
The chaff dispenser sits over the parachute housing and therefore the chute can still be used!

Clifford Keesler
Looking very nice Nathan.

Nathan Dempsey Author
Desert: Glad you pointed it out. I'd have been crying if I'd already started paint work.
Clifford: Thank you Sir!

Finally back at the bench and was able to do some pre-shading today.

Desert Marlin
Love this stage of the build! Looks great!

Clifford Keesler
Looking most impressive Nathan, another master piece in the making.

Villiers de Vos
Booking my seat.

Akaidada
FOLLOWING

Nathan Dempsey Author
Thanks Desert & Clifford! Hopefully today I'll have time for the first color.

Welcome to the build Villiers & Akaidada!

Nathan Dempsey Author
The lighter of the primary colors has been applied over the weekend. The secondary Intermediate Blue will be applied today.

Nathan Dempsey Author
I applied the Intermediate Blue and now only need the final grey for the nose cone. Afterwards I only need to apply a gloss coat in preparation for decals, panel lining, & weathering.

Cristian A
Nice progress, following !

Desert Marlin
Looks great! The Hellenic 2000Cs are always a pleasure to work out!

Dutch
Nathan, it's looking really good. I love towatch your projects in progress. Truly masterful work.

Clifford Keesler
Very nice sir, excellent paint work.

Nathan Dempsey Author
Thanks mates!

Today I spent my time adding oil colors to tone everything down a little and give the colors a more sun bleached appearance.

Nathan Dempsey Author
Work continues on painting and weathering. On a side note I've broke off the landing gear and the pitot tube twice now. Reworked those areas.

Clifford Keesler
Always fun when you break stuff off. Looking forward to seeing the final result.

Villiers de Vos
Fantastic work on the camouflage.

Nathan Dempsey Author
Thanks Clifford & Villiers!

Finished the Reskit wheel set and attached. Work continues on the weapons.

Nathan Dempsey Author
Weapons nearly complete. Final images to be posted soon.

Clifford Keesler
Weapons are looking good.

Desert Marlin
Definitely have the weapons worked out!!!

Nathan Dempsey Author
Thanks Clifford & Desert!

Just awaiting my NATO refueling probe tip to arrive in the mail then I'll be ready to upload final pics.

Desert Marlin
Yep! I know the feeling!

Dutch
Nathan, I can't wait to see the final results! K/r, Dutch

Nathan Dempsey Author
The postman delivered my much needed fuel probe today. Final parts being attached now. Hopefully final pics tomorrow.

Clifford Keesler
Where did you find the fuel probe Nathan? I need a couple.

Nathan Dempsey Author
Squadron actually has both the Master Model (single) and the Flying Leathernecks (multi pack). Since they are in GA now, the delivery time is super quick.

Nathan Dempsey Author
This project is now complete. Not bad for an old kit, but it does capture the fetching shape of the Mirage 2000. Thanks for your interest mates!

Rui S
Beautifull Mirage. Great work👍

Guy Rump
Great job! 👍

Laurent VILLANUEVA HELLER ForEver
top !

Dutch
Nathan, beautiful work! Another masterpiece! Your painting / weathering foo is strong! That's a lot of data decals! Well done!

Desert Marlin
Fine work Nathan! It turned out to be a great build!

Clifford Keesler
Thanks Nathan. I have started buying a lot from Squadron, their photo etch sets are usually cheaper than Spruebrothers. Have been getting a few of the Hobby Boss Corsairs.

Clifford Keesler
Duh, sorry the Mirage looks fantastic, well done Sir.

Villiers de Vos
Fantastic work. Inspirational.

Neuling
Top result indeed! More pictures of the completed model would be nice!

Nathan Dempsey Author
Wow thanks mates for all the kind comments and likes! I never expected such a response!

Patrick Hagelstein
Hi Nathan, just bumped into this. That Heller kit looks to be a dandy nice kit. And above all, you turned it into a very nice model! 👍

Nathan Dempsey Author
Thanks Patrick!

Neuling: I'm afraid my photography skills are extremely low. I should spend some time at your bench and if even a small percentage of skill rubbed off, my skills would soar!

Neuling
🙂

Siegfried Van den Bosch
Nice one !

Nathan Dempsey Author
Thanks Siegfried 🙂