1/72 Heller IaI Dagger

Gallery Article by Dragan Cvetic on Feb 1 2013

 

 

Hello.  This is one of my dearest builds.  An Argentine Air force IaI Dagger that took part in the Malvinas (Falklands) War back in '82.  The kit used is the old Heller Mirage IIIE.

 

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The nose was replaced with a resin aftermarket replica as well as the exhaust.  The cockpit was improved by adding a resin seat and Instrument panel.  The decals are part from the PM model dagger kit and some ware printed on a inkjet printer.  The pitot tube is made from hypodermic needles and guitar strings.  All the panel lines ware rescribed and the base of the tail fin was lengthened.  I also had to modify the fuel tanks and scratchbuilt the airscoops and the weapons pylons on the undersides.

The painting was freehanded using Revell Tamiya and Model Master enamels.  In the end I think I made a good replica of the real thing.

Dragan Cvetic     Balkan Models

      

Photos and text © by Dragan Cvetic