Dassault Mirage IIICJ – 101st (1st Combat) Sqn, IDF/AF Giora Epstein, Hatzor AB, Israel, Six-Day War, June 6th 1967

Falcon Models 1/72 scale FA725002: Dassault Mirage IIICJ Shahak 56 of 101st (1st Combat) Sqn, IDF/AF, Giora Epstein first kill, Hatzor AB, Israel, Six-Day War, June 6th 1967

Length 8.25 inches Wingspan 4.5 inches

Giora Eptseins first kill was an Egyptian Sukhoi-7 during the Six-Day War on June 6th 1967, and the count continued to rise during the War of Attrition with 4 more downs. In only three days, he managed to bring down twelve enemy aircraft during the Yom Kippur war in 1973. Total kill score was 17, making him the all time highest jet kill pilot and earning him the title: Ace of Aces. Giora fought in three wars for Israel. His first down was an Egyptian Sukhoi-7 during the Six-Day War in 1967, and the count continued to rise during the War of Attrition with 4 more downs. In only three days, he managed to bring down twelve enemy aircraft during the Yom Kippur war in 1973.

For his courage and abilities, Giora Even received the Medal for Distinguished Service, one of Israel’s highest military honours. He continued in the Air Force as the commander of Mirage and Kfir squadrons and was still flying missions until his 59th birthday. When he retired from the army service as a Brigadier General of the Israeli Air Force, he continued flying, but as a captain for El Al Airlines.

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.

Falcon Models 1/72 scale Mirage III is constructed in diecast metal, with plastic components used for details such as engine intakes, vertical fin and removable ordnance. The solid metal wing is cleverly fitted to the fuselage, with the seams visible only on the underside. The hinged canopy opens for an unobstructed view of the cockpit’s interior features, such as the pad-printed instrument panels, pilot seat and control stick. The landing gear is designed as subassemblies for quick and easily configuration. Additional features include afterburner details deep inside the engine exhaust nozzle and both styles of supersonic fuel tanks.