Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA1609 Mirage 2000-5Ei Ei01 RoCAF, Taiwan “2001”

THESE ARE PRE-PRODUCTION PICTURES NOT THE FINAL PRODUCT

Great attention to detail. All markings are Tampoed (pad applied). Option to display the model on a stand that is provided. Model can be shown with the landing gear in the down or up positions. Loads of optional armament has been provided. Canopy can be displayed open or closed. Pilot figure. Extremely heavy metal with a minimum of plastic. Highly collectable.

The Mirage 2000-5 is the second generation of the Mirage 2000. The French Armee de l' Air was replacing the older version of the Mirage 2000 and the manufacturer had hoped to sell the newer version to them but they had already committed to the Rafale. The manufacturer needed a sale to the ADA to help promote export sales so as a stopgap measure until the Rafale was delivered the ADA upgraded 37 of their early Mirage 2000’s to Dash 5 standards. The Dash 5 had new RDY radar, a new APSI (Advanced Pilot- System Interface) cockpit, MICA missiles and the ICMS Mk. 2 (integrated countermeasures system). The Dash 5 is the first production fighter aircraft ever to be equipped with LCD displays. France, Greece, India, Qatar and Taiwan are equipped with the Dash 5 version of the Mirage 2000.

In 1992 the manufacturer completed an agreement with Taiwan for the purchase of 48 Mirage 2000-5Ei single-seat and 12 Mirage 2000-Di two-seaters. The first 5 aircraft arrived by sea in May 1997. This was a historic moment for the manufacturer because the last French built aircraft that the RoCAF purchased was 24 Dewoitine D.150C piston engine aircraft in 1937. The transaction was named “Fei Lung” (Flying Dragon). Along with the aircraft the RoCAF purchased 960 MICA medium-range and 480 Magic II short- range air-to-air missiles. Since the two-seater Mirages don’t have internal guns some center-line twin gun pods with DEFA 554 cannons were acquired. Also on the shopping list were support equipment, auxiliary fuel tanks, helmets and G-suits. The RoCAF also ordered some ASTAC electronic intelligence (ELINT) pods for their Mirages.

The 499th Tactical Fighter Wing, also refer to as the 2nd TFW in some publications, is stationed at Hsinchu Air Base and is the only wing in the ROCAF to have the Mirage 2000-5 aircraft. The 499th is comprised of three squadrons the 41st that received the first aircraft, 42nd, and 48th and each squadron was allotted 20 Mirages. Late in 1999 the RoCAF lost 2 Mirages in two separate training accidents. On November 26, 1998 the last Mirages was delivered and November 1, 2004 the 41st and 42nd TFS were upgraded to TFG.

Specifications Mirage 2000-5 Country of Origin - France Contractor - Dassault Aviation Role - Multi-role fighter Crew Ei version - 1 Number of Dash 5 aircraft produced - 174 Dimensions Length - 48.06ft (14.65m) Height - 17.06ft (5.20m) Wing Span - 29.95ft (9.13m) Wing Area - 441.32sq.ft (41sq.m)

Weight Empty - 16,535lb (7,500kg) Take Off - 23,942lb (10,860kg) Maximum Take Off - 37,479lb (17,000kg)

Performance Engine - 1 X SNECMA M53-P2 turbofan / Maximum thrust 21,400lb Internal Fuel - 7,055lb (3,200kg) Speed - Mach 2.2 high altitude / Mach 1.2 low altitude Operational ceiling - 60,000ft (18,288m)

Armament 2 X 30mm DEFA 554 cannon / 125 rounds each 6 or 8 X MICA AR (Active Radar) or IR (Infra Red) missiles 2 X Magic II missiles on outboard wing pylons