Dassault Mirage IIIC

Armée de l'Air EC 3/10 Vexin, no.10-LB, Djibouti AB, Djibouti, Oct. 1984

Hobby Master 1:72 HA9802

Djibouti Air Base is the central hub of French strategy in the North African region. France has remained active there since the 1930s because it offers an excellent observational outlook over the whole region, as well as being a useful link to overseas territories such as the island of La Reunion (in the south Indian Ocean), New Caledonia and French Polynesia. The first major production model of the Mirage III was the Mirage IIIC, that first flew in October 1960. A total of 95 Mirage IIICs were obtained by the French Air Force (Armee de l'Air), with initial operational deliveries in July 1961. The Mirage IIIC remained in service until 1988.

Dassault Mirage IIIC

Designed to meet a French government specification for a lightweight, all-weather interceptor, the Dassault Mirage III was first flown on November 17, 1956. This supersonic aircraft has a tailless delta wing configuration and is capable of high speeds (a Mirage IIIA was the first European aircraft to exceed Mach 2 in level flight). It has a provision for a SEPR liquid-fuel rocket engine, which provides additional burst thrust. In production for over a decade, the Mirage III is considered one of Europe's most successful military aircraft designs, serving 20 different nations, some of whom still fly it today.

Hobby Master "1:72 Air Power Series" diecast airplanes feature:

• Molded metal construction with plastic components.
• Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
• Inscriptions and posters printed with a stamp that do not fade or fall off like decals.
• opening of awnings, revealing detailed within the cockpit.
• Extended / retracted interchangeable landing gear.
• Display stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
• Authentic detachable artillery cargoes complete with placards.