The Eduard 1/48 scale Mirage IIIC is a well-known kit, and it is nice to see it re-released. Despite some known issues, it still builds into a nice replica of the French interceptor.

The kit comes molded in light gray plastic, with a total of 167 parts on eight sprues, plus a small sprue of clear parts. The decals are printed by Eduard and are opaque and in register. There is neither PE nor masks in this Weekend Edition boxing. However, this particular review model was built in conjunction with another reviewed item, Eduard's Mirage IIICJ Weekend Photoetch Set #49659, which provided photoetch for the cockpit.

Eduard has nice line of 1/48 scale Mirage IIICs and IIICJs. Their line also includes many different sets of aftermarket add-ons, including mask sets. A mask set is an excellent investment in your model, as it will save you time and grief while delivering very clean lines for your finished model.

The mask set includes pre-cut masks for the canopy, the navigation lights, and landing gear, including the line between the tire and the wheel hub.

The canopy mask provides you with only the edges of the canopy. You are expected to fill-in-the-blank, which is very simple and straightforward to do. I chose to use tape, but the instructions recommend using liquid mask. I did have a very limited amount of paint bleed underneath my tape, which I had to polish off afterwards, so using liquid mask is probably the best way to go.

Once again, thanks up front to Eduard for sending us this set; It’s been a great upgrade, (as you will be able to see) and a worthy investment. Thanks also to IPMS USA leadership for entrusting such a massive endeavor to my feeble skills…

Here’s what’s was next in the envelope after I worked the interior sets…