Kitty Hawk Models 1/48 Dassault Mirage F.1CT/CR Kit First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

The Mirage F.1 was designed as a follow-on multi-role fighter to the Mirage III/V family and powered by the Atar 9K used in the Mirage IV. While similar in size to the Mirage III/V series, the F.1 had significantly better performance, air refueling, and armament options. In addition to extensive service with the French Air Force, the F.1 has also equipped the air arms of Ecuador, Gabon, Greece, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Morocco, Qatar, South Africa, and Spain. In service with the Libyan Air Force, the French-trained pilots were able to easily keep the F-14 Tomcats at bay during their peaceful 'skirmishes' over water.

The Mirage F.1CR is the reconnaissance variant of the F.1 designed to carry special pods in French Air Force service. The Mirage F.1CT is the multi-role strike version adapted from the upgraded Mirage F.1C-200 when these had been replaced in the air superiority role by the Mirage 2000. The C-200 version was itself an upgraded Mirage F.1C that incorporated an air refueling capability.

Kitty Hawk has released the first new-tool single-seat Mirage F.1 in 1/48 scale in many decades. The only other option for this subject was the venerable ESCI/ERTL tooling. Molded in light gray styrene, this kit is presented on nine parts trees and two rear fuselage halves plus one tree of clear parts and one small fret of photo-etched parts. Among the features and options in this kit:

• Nicely detailed cockpit
• Choice of early or late ejection seat
• Positionable canopy
• Optional boarding ladder
• Nice ATAR engine that won't be seen after airframe assembly
• Choice of reconnaissance cameras in nose for CR
• Detailed wheel wells
• Positionable speed brakes
• Positionable flaps
• Positionable spoilers
• Positionable stabilators
• Positionable rudder
• Choice of early or late ESM antennas

External store options in this kit (some not applicable to these two variants) include:

• 1 x 1200 liter centerline fuel tank
• 2 x 1200 liter underwing fuel tanks
• Barracuda pod
• Barrax pod
• Phimat pod
• 2 x Python 4
• 2 x AIM-9L Sidewinder
• 2 x Matra 550
• 2 x Matra Super 530D missile
• 2 x Matra Super 530F missile
• 1 x AS-30
• 1 x AS-37 Martel
• 2 x GBU-12 Paveway
• 6 x BAP-100
• 2 x Matra rocket pods
• 2 x BLG-66 cluster bombs
• 1 x 1000kg LGB
• 2 x 400kg LGB
• 4 x 250kb bombs
• 2 x Durandal

Markings are included for four options:

• Mirage F.1CR, 33-CA, ER 01/33, French AF, 1987
• Mirage F.1C, 14-36, 142 Sqn, Albacete AB, Spanish AF, 1988
• Mirage F.1CT, 132-QE, EC 02/30, Colmar AB, French AF, 2009
• Mirage F.1CT, 330-AT, EC 05/330, French AF, 1998, Tiger Meet

For whatever reason, the last decal option (Tiger Meet/330-AT) is not covered in the instructions though there are numerous photos of this aircraft online to work with should you want this distinctive decal option.

This is another impressive release from Kitty Hawk and I'm looking forward to seeing if it builds as nicely as it looks!

My sincere thanks to Kitty Hawk Models for this review sample!