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It has been a couple of years since a new, from the ground up, Mirage has been released.
Mark Harper, modeler and texture artist, will soon be releasing, through
Skysim,
a Mirage set based around the Mirage IIIE airframe. I've been involved with this project
since discussions first took place at the beginning of the year (2007). Several others are
involved as well and as you can tell from these first images below and others I will add as it
progresses, it is a true labor of love.
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When Mark first asked what Mirage he should consider making I suggested the IIIE. Using that airframe as a starting point he would be able to make all of the versions that grew from it including the reconnaissance versions and the Mirage 5 series -- and everything that evolved from that. |
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Proposed versions include: |
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Several external loads are planned as well. So far in the beta copies Mark has sent I have seen 500 litre supersonic tanks (both bolted on and finned jettisonable style), 1700 litre tanks, RPK-10 fuel/weapon carriers, Matra Magics (both live and practice), and an AN-52 nuclear device. |
| The cockpit is getting a similar amount of attention and versions for the principal models -- Mirage IIIE (shown here), Mirage 5, and Mirage IIIR -- will be included. Every operator's local modification cannot be reproduced but these will be excellent representations and quite convincing. |
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Just a quick update. Work continues to make the aircraft set fully compatible with FSX as well as FS9. Mark has "narrowed" the included aircraft down (as of mid November 2007) to the following:
Each sub-type; Mirage IIIE, Mirage 5, and Mirage IIIR will have an accurate instrument panel unique to that model. Here are some additional images.
Mirage IIIE, EC 2/4 "La Fayette"
Mirage IIIO, RAAF 75 Sqn
Mirage 5SDE, EAF 69 Sqn
Mirage 5F, EC 3/13 "Auvergne"
Mirage IIIRD, CEAM
Mirage 5BR, Belgium "Mephisto"
It is now November 2008 -- work continues and the results are incredible. The package has expanded to include a couple new aircraft. The cockpits now number three basic layouts but several variations based on the aircraft they are contained within. Click images for larger view.
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| Mirage IIIE - Night | Mirage 5BA | Mirage IIIRD |
External loads are no longer defined by the aircraft but the entire collection can now be applied to each aircraft. Obviously there will be some configurations that are not historically accurate but sometimes "anything goes". The external weapons and tanks consist of the following:
| Left Outboard | Left Inboard | Center | Right Inboard | Right Outboard |
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| AIM-9 | AIM-9 | |||
| Magic R550 | Magic R550 | |||
| Magic Practice | Magic Practice | |||
| Phimat Pod | Phimat Pod | |||
| 500L Tank | 500L Tank | |||
| 1300L Tank | 1300L Tank | |||
| 1700L Tank | 1700L Tank | |||
| RPK-10 Bomb Rack*/Fuel | RPK-10 Bomb Rack*/Fuel | |||
| *4x250K Bombs | *4x250K Bombs | |||
| *4x500K Bombs | *4x500K Bombs | |||
| JL-100 Rocket/Fuel | JL-100 Rocket/Fuel | |||
| 1300L Tank | ||||
| Matra R530 | ||||
| AN-52 Nuke | ||||
| Nord AS-30 |
A few pre-release screenshots... Click images for larger view.
The package has now been released and many repaints have been made for the the Mirage III and Mirage 5. A Paint Kit is available for repainters (be sure to read the instructions).
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| Also have a look at these in-game videos: |
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All in-game images by Mark Harper. |