Dassault Mirage 2000-5F – 2-EB/76, SPA 3/103 Cigogne de Guynemer, French AF 2010 (Non Decal)

Hobby Master 1/72 scale HA1614: Dassault Mirage 2000-5F serial 2-EB/76 of Escadrille de Chase (E.C.) 1/003, SPA 3/103, Cigognes, Dijon, France, 2010. Production run of only 700 models.

PLEASE NOTE: This is the more desirable version with all tampo printed markings (no decals). Hobby Master have announced that this is highly likely to be the last Mirage 2000 model that they produce.

Length 7.75 inches Wingspan 5 inches

The Mirage 2000-5F is a dedicated air-to-air fighter and only flown by the French Air Force. Thirty seven Mirage 2000’s were upgraded to 2000-5 specifications as a stopgap measure while waiting for the Rafale. These upgraded aircraft were designated 2000-5F with the first aircraft arriving in Dijon in 1999. In 2011 the aircraft relocated to Luxeuil where twenty four 2000-5F’s are still in service. Mirage 2000-5F 2-EB belongs to SPA 3 Cigogne de Guynemer that is assigned tail-code 2. Georges Guynemer was WWI French Air Force Ace with fifty four victories and considered a national hero.

The Mirage 2000 has been in service since 1984 with production ending in 2007 when the final aircraft was delivered to the Hellenic Air Force. The Mirage 2000-5F was supposed to be an export variant but the company didn’t receive enough demand from the French Air Force to make it viable so existing aircraft were upgraded. In 1993 it was decided to upgrade present aircraft and in 1997 work began with the first 2000-5F being delivered in 2000. In 2011 2000-5F’s were engaged in action in Libya.