Mirage 2000 5EI

Kinetic, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Mick Evans

HyperScale is proudly supported by Squadron.com

Kinetic has followed up their release of the Mirage 2000C with this export version the Mirage 2000-5EI.  The Mirage 2000-5EI kit is identical to the previously released Mirage 2000C kit which included all the parts to make the 2000-5 export version but this latest kit includes a small aircraft tow tractor.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Thumbnail panels:

The 2000-5EI kit features:

• Detailed cockpit and seat
• Separately moulded tires and wheel hubs that allow for easy painting
• Position-able elevons
• Canopy can be positioned open or closed
• Open and closed engine exhaust nozzles

Most of the comments for the detail in the Mirage 2000-5EI kit are the same as those written for the Mirage 2000C previously reviewed here so I will only address the differences in the two kits which is mainly the colour scheme, decals and tow tractor. 

Externally the 2000-5 is difficult to distinguish from the 2000C except for the sharper radome and no pitot probe fitted to the tip of the radome.  However it has had an expensive upgrade including its radar, armament and avionics systems. 

The heart of the upgrade was the Thales multimode RDY radar system which allows simultaneous detection of 24 targets and the ability to track 8 threats while guiding Mica missiles.  With 9 weapons hard points, the 2000-5 can carry 4 Mica missiles, 2 Matra 550 Magic missiles and 3 drop tanks at the same time.  A new cockpit layout with a wide angle head up display (HUD), hands on throttle and stick (HOTAS) controls were also adopted.  Updates to the counter measures systems included the ICMS 2 suite for real time response to hostile missiles.

Ordnance

The weapons and stores provided in this kit are as follows:

• 2 x Magic 1 air to air missiles
• 2 x Magic 2 air to air missiles
• 1 x centreline fuel tank
• 2 x wing fuel tanks
• 2 Export version wing fuel tanks
• 2 x AS-30L Laser Guided missiles
• ATLIS targeting pod
• 4 x Mica air to air missiles.

The tow tractor is made up from 53 parts and the parts are very detailed. 

The tyres are split in half and capture the wheel hubs between them on assembly.  This allow for easier painting prior to assembly without having to mask the parts for painting.  A NATO standard towbar is also supplied to connect the tractor to the aircraft.

The tractor and tow bar will add that extra detail to your displayed completed Mirage 2000-5EI.

Markings

These decals are crisply printed and include a good level of airframe stencilling and weapons markings.  The painting instructions are based on Gunze paints.

This release has markings for any of the ROCAF aircraft operated by 499th Tactical Fighter Wing at Hsinchu:

• Mirage 2000-5EI, ROCAF based at Hsinchu Air Base, in Dark Grey and Light Grey upper surfaces and Light Grey lower surfaces.

This is another very nice kit and certainly an improvement over all previous releases of the Mirage 2000C.  The addition of the tow tractor is a very nice touch and will enhance any display of the completed kit.  The simple thing is modellers of all levels of skill can easily build this kit and turn out a great result.

Excellent work from Kinetic and I hope they keep rolling out the nice kits.

Thanks to Lucky Model for the samples

Review Text Copyright © 2014 by Mick Evans
Images Copyright © 2014 by Brett Green
Page Created 16 July, 2014
Last updated 16 July, 2014

Back to HyperScale Main Page

Back to Reviews Page