INTERMEDIATE BUILD Lion Cubs Huw Morgan builds Kinetic’s Mirage-derived 1/48 Kfir as the advanced C10 variant, finishing it in a Colombian Air Force livery sraeli Aircraft industry's Kfir_ Electric J79 turbojet in place of (Lion Cub) has a long history the Mirage’s Atar 09, represented with the Israel Air Force, _Israel's intent to become as being developed fromthe _sel-suficient as possible in Dassault Mirage Ill during the advanced weapon systems and early 19705, \was developed from the initial Ct, The type, powered by a General through various upgrades to the MODEL SPEC aLKse C10 Surface dota is very tidy considering the basic moulds aro ten yoors ol — ‘atmough possi not to modern standoras This refinement continues nto the underearage bay, though these do lack ‘epresentation of pipework ara cabling 52 Af Model World KeyModetWortd.com€2 and C7 variants. ‘A wo-seat trainer was also developed, and the type was made available for export, eventually being sold to Colombia, Ecuador and St Lanka, with several examples used by the US Navy and Marine Corps as ‘aggressor airframes, where it was designated F-21. The C10 (C12 variants are pure export developments ofthe israeli C7, with the diference being the C10 is fitted with the Eita EVM 2032 radar in the nose, while the C12 retains the original EL/M-20018, ranging unit. This compact, single-engined delta airframe Is robust, easy to maintain and agile albeit arguably limited in payload compared with more ‘modern fighter-bomber types. Latin Lion Cubs ‘Central and South American counties had a turbulent 20th Century, with border tensions and interna disaffection have traditionally resulting in armed clashes and rebellions. Needing a high- performance mut-role aircraft, the Colombian government Negotiated the sale of 2 exclsaeli Air Force Kfir C2s for the Fuerza Aérea Colombiana (FAQ) These were used heavily inthe ground:attack ole against Insurgent groups, which led to the acquisition of a further INTERMEDIATE BUILD | IAI Kfir C10 aA a |FAEQO5-FAE 905 14°14 / = == ; as .@ 8 gee0 8g FAC 2056 BP rac “cose 4 O85 on ‘4. The decal sheet looks very well printed with options for both the CE and C10 ‘versions, Note tat the shet alo includes the markings forthe Ltening pod ene ‘he GBUA9 ~ shame tore's no plate to pur thom on 24 airframes in 2008/9, most Upgraded tothe C10/C12 standard, including two-seat ‘C10 trainers. For Colombian use, the C10's ELIM-2023 radar was. matched with Rafel Python § and Derby airto-air missiles, a new ‘glass’ cockpit, hands on throttle ‘and stick controls and a one piece windscreen. ‘Alongside Colombia's ‘acquisitions, in 1981 neighbouring Ecuador purchased ten Kfir 2s to replace its SEPECAT Jaguars, followed by four in 1996, and eight in 1998; these last airframes were upgraded to rnear-Ci0 specification (lacking “Kinetic has researched the ype wal 9 illustrate bythe insturent pane “iferences Between the C10 (ight ang CE export ef} variants |. The cockpit side panos have significant ejector pin release mar that are largely covered by tne cockpit ub but wor fing aryeay KeyModeNoridcom Altix Mode! World 63cf < - La {Tho upper ng the wh n vent tha lower acon, bute icles of Sima oanl corte moonsisan cocmeonernte eae 4 Dey cepa) end designted ui also monochrome th wee Tre retorenced ink not wonkng asthe curentytted on “The interior of he ul length a intake vunking vas painted white prorto Cracking Kfir Kinete’s webste. oe ne atm Kinetes 2082 0 relesse's ‘Arete of he bul Doved on te gina! 013 Kr there sppeared te ate CZICToolngndcontansal te afemerketprogct arable, tars parts nckng Marin. aoto-eae te prefect nd Bose sents Pythons, remedy sever omission) missiles, Mk 82 Snakeye bombs, Mic.20 cluster bombs, Grifin laser-guided bombs (LGB) plus supersonic and subsonic wing tanks. This newer boxing features ‘extra frames for N-B Mk:0 seats, Python 5 missiles and angled intake pylons, athough it's missing the AN/AL-28 Litening Pod and GBU-49 LGBs commonly seen on Colombian aitcratt The kit allows the flaps to be efiected, plus there's an open’ ‘4 The cockpit tub and nose undercarriage bay are earty cancdates tobe ‘closed canopy and air brakes, Incedn he Rseags, whe former ring Hey on arena ve makin it decent package Dut regrettably, one that is let down by poor instructions, with part numbering errors, no reference to the airtefueling probe or intake pylons. The painting/decal Eduara’s C2iC7 mask set (EX408), ‘AN/ALO-28 the night han fuselage hal, Song with te covrespending fe take wanking, “The markings performed well, being easy to handle and tough” 54 Airfix Model World KeyModelWorid.comLitening Pod (648237), GBU-49 LisB (648220) and C2/C7 Seat bolts (FEI047) Given Colombia's greater use of the type and its upgrades, it was decided to complete Kineti’s Kir C10 as @ Colombian FAC airframe. Glue to go! Starting point inthe bulla was the cockpit a one-piece tub that received an instrument panel spectcto the type, plus simple rudder pedals an conto stick No deca was included for the instruments, so an overall colour of Mr. Hobby H208 FS 36375 Ghost Grey (wwwabionhobbies com) was detail pointed using black, dark grey and light green. The Instuctions suggest ting the five-piece ejection seot at this point, but in an attempt torase the deta level was planned replace itwith 9 uickboost atermarket item However it was immediately apparent that here was a serous size alference ~ a check ofthe Martin-Baker webste, and other references suggested the correct Cimensions fora 148 seat would fallsomeunere between the two uickboosts resin example wes slightly too wide and tal wile Kinetics was somewhat skinny in appearance. With no real option to educe the resin seat to ft the narrow tb, the kt version INTERMEDIATE BUILD | IAI Kfir C10 ‘4 Tho gun troughs are filed wth rather clunky insets ~ hore inthe process of being sanded to fea consequence being 2 ss of pane! ne end ret deta, ‘which was reserved Iter “Seat lemma: to the lft the QuickDoost M-B Ml0 seat, and tothe ight, Kinetic’, wit the dference very apparent. according to references, the comtect ‘S20 = someutere Botween the Ww “A Fearful of ending was used, with texture added pana toe cushions via Mr. Surfacer sie’ sere st S00 and Edvords pre-painted otoogpeted”®”—seatbets attached. trebles mes Afterashort diversion to maria #95901 gesemble the undercarage Siretonctene ports, which were left ntl ater, Scoe'ing” the nosewhee bey ws built and painted, followed by the intake ducting, jet pipe, nose and tail plus the nose-mounted radar warning receivers. The intake ducting was painted white before KeyModeWoridcom Airfix Mode! World 55assembly and the port and starboard pieces fitted neatly pale kit's weapons) to their respective fuselage comprised Mk 82 haves allowing the airrame to Snakeyes, Mk.20s be closed around the cockpit and Griffin LGBs” tub, nosewhee! bay and rear cockpit bulkhead. Generally, the fit was good, although the inevitable seam clean-up did require some pane line ang rivet detail reinstatement, ‘The least satisfactory area ‘was along the dorsal intake an fin leading edge, which required several treatments with supergiue to achieve an acceptable contour Loaded delta ‘The wing was next, with separate Upper halves being glued to a one-piece lower wing and Incorporating atypical join set ‘along a panel ine behind the leading edge. The wing parts ‘come with moulded location pins ‘and bosses but twas found that these inhibited a close, flush fitand so were removed, and the remaining seam fixed with Deluxe Materials Plastic Putty (www.deluxematerals.com, which, being removable with a damp cotton bud, eliminated collateral sanding damage. ‘4. Asc trom the ugly crciorm election pin gates onthe inside ofthe rear nozzle sacton andthe aerceatec need to remove and neaten the styrene, the Jet ppe det is ecceptbie, and looked conveing ance pate “Here's the elusive in-fight eueling probe Qocated on Runes H)~ standard ‘on Colombian kis but not mentoned inthe insrtone, Placement was ‘termined using reference photos ane box 56 Airfix Model World KeyModetorid.comINTERMEDIATE BUILD | IAI Kfir CIO There's an option to fitthe wing airbrakes in the open postion, but as they are rarely seen this way fn the ground they were fixed closed. The wing could now be attached tothe fuselage with just minor fettling, after which various scoops and vents, plus the three- section flaps could be added ~ in this case in the drooped position Before proceeding to paint, thought was given tothe Potential weapons loads while Colombia's C2/C7 fleet was primary tasked with ground attack, the C10 appears to be used more for air defence. Several reference photos depicted FAC aircraft carrying Python 5 and Derby missiles fi eaoe brine sre under the under the wings, spt Bose oe oer ch plus Ltening pod and GBU- ‘or veratoe wer crested by 49 on the inlet pylons. It's here eS that Kinet’ instructions are at thelr weakest athough there parts aren't included. A study undersides and FS 3618 Medium effect wes futher enhanced is drection on assembly ofthe ofteerence photos meant Gunship Gray upper surfaces. Mr_ by respraying the panels wth misses and drop tanks, tomts sensible arrangement of pylons Hobby acy equivalents #308. the bave colour ightoned wth how the former are attached endvalscaulsbe determined and H305 Gray FS 3618 were approximately 25% white tothe pylons. Curousy, no and ixed tothe aame in ime duly used ashe base colours. The wavy demarcation between mentions made oftheintake for paring, wile the weapons lower and upper colours was pylons andthe decal placement were assembled, painted and Readly for paint Imasked using lu Tack rls (hide nclides tering and decsled separately The arame was sprayed eps were filed with ape, before BU-A8, even though the The aifame ehoten was om with Hace grey primer rom the upper surfaces were treated Escuadionde Combate Ml, warmed aerosolcan and with AMMO-MIG A MIG-2022 similar 0 those seen at Red Fag smoothed using 1000-grade One Shot Primer White which 2018 inthis case FAC 2057, Abrolonfoam-backed abrasive was sprayed through mote Tor which there area number before patting the radomewith masks. The H205 Gray main ofwel-known photes, HST Light Gull Grey and the fin ip _eolou was aibrushed thy finished in FS with yellow. With these masked, to allow the mottle to show 36622 Gray the underside grey shade was through, highlights were created ‘iforushed with heavily diluted by mixing the base tone with Paint, applied atlow pressure white. After several touch-ups ‘and concentrating on panel had been deat with, the airframe centres, This highlghting was given several thin coats ‘A Colombian aera rypealy cared these canted pylons Parts CB and CM, not. Adkltional equipmentin the shape ofa V48 ANVALO-28 Litening targeting mentioned in the kt instructions) under the itake runkng, often carving the ped and GBU.A9 LGB camo courtenyof Edd, wth tose resin ond PE sores {ening pd ana single GBU49. {turing complete sts of stencing. KeyModeNoridcom Alex Model World 57INTERMEDIATE BUILD ‘Similar effects onthe upper surface were made by applying an intial white motte (sprayed ‘trough a template) flowed by Back. of Alclad’s ALC-600 Aqua Gloss {www alclad2.com) in preparation Tor decaling, Applying the decals was in truth an area of concern, as several reviews had indicated that the backing fim was very prominent Under final varnish coats. A degree of caution was used, with the carrier trimmed as closely as possible, and (where feasible) cut {rom the ‘dead’ areas between letters. The markings performed well, being easy to handle and tough, although they took a long time to respond to softener and looked quite thick when in place. Once again, Kinetic’s placement ‘guides proved more a matter of guesswork; online reference photos were used to confirm actual locations and orientation, The decals were given 48 hours 1 dry fully, before the airframe received a dilute wash of a 19 mmx of Cerulean Blue and Paynes 58 Airfix Model World Lock and load {As described earlier, the k's | weapons comprised Mk 82 Snakeyes, Mk 20s and Griffin GBs, which weren't appropriate for a Colombian jet; the Python $ ‘and Derby were chosen instead, boing built and painted as per the instructions. Eduard's GBU: 49 LGB and Litening pod were: also readied for adding to the ‘model, using Eduard's painting ‘and decaling guide, while a single drop tank was prepared for the centreline pylon ‘The undercarriage is relatively straightforward, albeit with several fiddly components; all parts were treated with Tamiya Fine White primer (87044), "while the chrome parts of the ‘actuators were added using a TE) Mototow pen (wwwmolotow. com Whee! hubs were also ———____________ 5,504 wnte, after which the “Kinetic’s 1/48 Kfir C10 is tyres were hand-painted 70.862 quite a neat kit, which with 5!2ck Grey. Lead wire was then i Used to add brake lines to the care builds neatly into an yi, undercerioge legs. ll impressive Model” undercarriage doors were fitted inthe open position, although it was recognised that in most ceases, the Mirage family are seen with the main doors closed while on the ground (unless Grey oll paint ~ to accentuate the moulded detail — Which was allowed to dry before the excess was removed by buffing with kitchen paper. Next, the mode! was sanded gently with 2,000-grade abrasive pads to remove any paint nibs ‘and flatten the decals before several coats of Vallejo 26.518 Polyurethane Matt Varnish (wewncreativemodels.co.uk) were sprayed in misted layers. to avoid build up over the decal carrier film. KeyModetWorid.comZumbrot Acrylic ip INTERMEDIATE BUILD | IAI Kfir C10 “Hot off the press” maintenance work is under way, schemes on offer and plenty of The fnal Gunship inwhich case the aieraft would aftermarket muntions fr those Giav sade was en note carrying weapons) The wanting adffrent weapons, wou ayo canopy had survived the various fi. The whole experience {he tnalvaaions stages of painting without any isather soured, though, by were sts, wth leakage under the masks, so the the poor instructions, surely Soaed ug per ‘temporarly-attached opening _something that could easily imix ofthe base colou: section was carefully removed, be put ight excess PVA glue removed ang the clear part treated with polishing compound. Final word kKinetic's 148 Kfir 10 is quite a neat kit, wien with care builds neatly into an impressive ‘model with some interesting ‘Panel ines wore emphasised wit a mix of Paynes Grey and Cerulean Blue oi pant and allowed to dry before being removed Humbrol | Sataltome —etateoaey | Enamel “a The weapons lobd was a msture of kt and Ecuard ems: to to bottom) Python 5, GBU49, Derby, centretne tank, Deby, ANAL 28 Ltening pod an Python 5. KeyModeWoridcom