Matterhorn Circle | Atar 9C Exhaust for 1:32 Revell Mirage IIIE/R

Reviewed by Sinuhe Hahn

The "Matterhorn Circle", a group of semi-renegade Swiss IPMS modelers is well known for their exhibitions at the Swiss nationals, as well as their attendance at the IPMS(UK) meetings at Telford. Several of these modelers have established an international reputation, such as such as Nicholas "Nick the Ripper" Ponchini, who continues to amaze with his abilities to strip models to their bare minimum, or Andrew White with his collection of improbable prototypes, to Urs Bopp or Alberto Martinez with their talents for things Japanese / Spanish.

Robert Schneider (MC-ONE), is now setting out to make his mark on the modeling landscape with the recent release of several resin and photo etch (PE) items to enhance deficits in a number of kits, e.g., a PE set for the 1/72 Revell Su-27 and a set of resin intakes for the 1/72 Trumpeter Tu-128.

The set which immediately grabbed my attention was that for the old, and thankfully re-released Revell Mirage III in 1/32 scale. This kit has long been out of production, and was starting to fetch "collectors" prices on eBay, when it was released in 2004 to commemorate the passing of the Mirage III from Swiss skies.

This kit, although from the great heyday of Revell's 1/32 releases in the '70s is generally accurate in shape, and with a little care and attention can be built into a show stopper. The "Matterhorn Circle", a group of semi-renegade Swiss IPMS modelers is well known for their exhibitions at the Swiss nationals, as well as their attendance at the IPMS(UK) meetings at Telford. Several of these modelers have established an international reputation, such as such as Nicholas "Nick the Ripper" Ponchini, who continues to amaze with his abilities to strip models to their bare minimum, or Andrew White with his collection of improbable prototypes, to Urs Bopp or Alberto Martinez with their talents for things Japanese / Spanish.

This kit, although from the great heyday of Revell's 1/32 releases in the 70's is generally accurate in shape, and with a little care and attention can be built into a show stopper. It cannot, however, betray its vintage, as apart from the raised panel lines, it has a spartan cockpit, wheel well bays and jet exhaust. Time to move it forward into the 21st Century!

"Robi" has decided to address this last issue first and has produced a very detailed resin & PE kit to rectify this situation. This consists of 5 large resin blocks, which are impeccably cast (typical Swiss finish) and a large PE sheet. A detailed 3 page instruction sheet is included (which can be downloaded at www.mc-one.ch), providing step by step instructions, and a view of the real product on a Mirage IIIS. This is a real boon, especially when compared to some of the "instructions" included in many after-market kits, and will really enable the modeller in an exemplary manner to achieve a superb product.

In my short examination of an Atar 9C engine exhibited at the Swiss Air Force Museum in Duebendorf, it appears that MC-ONE has really captured the complex design of the exhaust system perfectly.

CONCLUSION: The re-release of the Mirage III in 32 scale by Revell has had modellers clamouring for a set of add-one detail items in order to improve the look of this vintage kit. MC-ONE has taken the first step by producing an excellent product to up-grade that large cavernous "burner can". The good news is that work is in-progress for a new detailed cockpit and wheel well bays.

The only caveat is that with all that resin weight, the rather flimsy gear will need to be replaced by a set of metal ones - now can we encourage somebody to help us with that?

A full price list of this and their other products is available on MC-ONE's website http://www.mc-one.ch . Orders may be placed via email.

It cannot, however, betray its vintage, as apart from the raised panel lines, it has a spartan cockpit, wheel well bays and jet exhaust. Time to move it forward into the 21st Century!

In my short examination of an Atar 9C engine exhibited at the Swiss Air Force Museum in Duebendorf, it appears that MC-ONE has really captured the complex design of the exhaust system perfectly.

The only caveat is that with all that resin weight, the rather flimsy gear will need to be replaced by a set of metal ones - now can we encourage somebody to help us with that?

A full price list of this and their other products is available on MC-ONE's website http://www.mc-one.ch . Orders may be placed via email.

Matterhorn Circle | Atar 9C Exhaust for 1:32 Revell Mirage IIIE/R

Reviewed by Sinuhe Hahn

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