© 2017 Craig Clarkstone. All rights reseved

Parkjet

Construction Guide

By Craig Clarkstone

Dassault MIRAGE 2000

Mirage 2000 History Designers Notes

Page 1

If you enjoy this design please help me to fund my next project and send a donation for $10 to Paypal address :-

clicketyclarkstone@gmail.com

Thank you! and happy flying.

© 2017 Craig Clarkstone. All rights reserved. The design is free for non-commercial use only.

Craig :)

The Dassault Mirage 2000 is a French multirole, single-engine fourth-generation jet fighter manufactured by Dassault Aviation. It was designed in the late 1970s as a lightweight fighter to replace the Mirage III for the French Air Force (Armée de l'Air). The Mirage 2000 evolved into a multirole aircraft with several variants developed, with sales to a number of nations. The variants include the Mirage 2000N and 2000D strike variants, the improved Mirage 2000-5 and several export variants. Over 600 aircraft were built and it has been in service with nine nations.

The origins of the Mirage 2000 could be traced back to 1965, when France was involved with Britain "Anglo-French Variable Geometry" (AFVG) swing-wing aircraft. Two years later the country withdrew from the project on grounds of costs, after which Britain would collaborate with Western Germany and Italy to ultimately produce the Panavia Tornado, Dassault focused its energy on its own variable-geometry aircraft, the Mirage G experimental prototype. The design was expected to materialise in the Mirage G8, which would serve as the replacement for the popular Mirage III in French Air Force service.

The Mirage 2000 started out as a project of secondary project tentatively named "Delta 1000" in 1972. Dassault at the time was devoting considerable attention on a more ambitious design, the Mirage G8A, a fixed-geometry derivative of the Mirage G8 that served as the competitor to the Panavia Tornado. The Mirage G8, which was envisioned as the "Avion de Combat Futur" (ACF / Future Combat Aircraft) of the French Air Force (Armee de l'Air, AdA), did not align with the service's conception of its future aircraft. More specifically, the AdA wanted a Mach 3 fighter, not an interdictor aircraft incapable of dogfighting that was the Mirage G8. As such, Dassault redesigned the Mirage G8 into the two-engine Super Mirage G8A that would prove to be ambitious and expensive, being two and a half times the price of the Mirage F1, and over-engineered especially compared to the F-16 that had just won orders from a number of European countries. Consequently, during a meeting of the National Defence Council on 18 December 1975, the Super Mirage was cancelled.

The ACF was a strike aircraft first and an interceptor second, while the Delta 2000 was exactly the reverse, but the single-engine Delta 2000 was much more affordable. At the same meeting, what was now redesignated as the Mirage 2000 was offered to the AdA and three prototypes were ordered. The AdA in March 1976 would issue a set of official requirements whose parameters matched that of Dassault's performance estimates of the new fighter. The aircraft's primary role was interception with a secondary ground-attack capability; the AdA had an commitment for 200 aircraft. The first aircraft was to be delivered in 1982.This was a return to the first generation Mirages, but with several important innovations that tried to solve their shortcomings

I saw the Ramex delta Mirage 2000 pair perform at the Royal International Air Tattoo this year and was really impressed by the handling and skill of the pilots.

Having put together the design for the Mirage III, I was asked if I might make the Mirage 2000 version from it - I thought it would be straightforward evolution, using the Mirage III as a basis but the lines of the planes are quite different.

In real life, the Mirage 2000 is more agile than the Mirage III, so I’m hoping this model is exactly the same.

MIRAGE 2000

Construction

Adhesives> For the majority of construction : - UHU Creativ for Styrofoam (also called UHU POR) - 3M 77 Spray adhesive.>For wing spars and motor mounts : - Epoxy. (5 and 15mins cure times are the most convenient) micro-baloons can be added to reduce weight.> For servo’s / and quick grab : - Hot melt glue gun - Caution if the glue gets too hot it will melt foam - test first!

Tapes> For holding parts tightly together whilst glue sets - Low tack masking tapes> For leading edges, hinges, general strengthening - 3M Gift tape (Purple - not green one!) - I prefer lightweight plastic hinges.> For decals - Coloured parcel tapes (strips taped to waxed paper & cut out)

Cutting parts1. Print the plans, 2. Cut around each part using scissors - allow a border of approx (1/4”) 6mm 3. Use either 3M spray mount or a very light coat of 3M 77 to the back of the parts and stick in an economical layout on the Depron foam.4. Using a safety rule and craft knife over a cutting mat - important! use a fresh blade otherwise it will drag and spoil the foam. (I find the stanley knife perfect) make the straight edge cuts, then the curved parts freehand.5. Once the parts are cut-out, keep the template stuck to the part until just before needed to help identify the parts.6. After use, I find it helpful to keep all the used tempates in case replacement parts need making. (the glue eventually dries and they don’t stick together!)

Glueing parts together.1. Ensure a really good fit - this will reduce the amount of adhesive used. The Bar Sander is a great tool for this. 2. Follow the adhesive instructions closely. 3. Use ordinary steel head pins to help keep the parts located whilst epoxy sets.4. Use objects as weights such as paperweights to apply pressure whilst adhesive sets.5. Use masking tape to apply pressure whilst adhesive sets. Also use masking tapeto along the slots for the wing spars whilst gluing the carbon rod spars into the wings. This prevents the glue protruding and gives a nice finish.

IMPORTANT Wherever the plans call for marking guidelines onto the depron, please ensure that you do otherwise it can cause problems later on. I suggest you use a Sharpie Fineliner to transfer the lines.

Before you start.

Page 4Page 1

Using the RX shelf as a guide, gently curve the forward fuselage sides using the technique below.

Glue together using UHU por

1. Place over edge of desk.firmly press down on the depron75mm (3”) from the edge of the desk.

desk desk

depron

Hand or smooth object.

2. Whilst still pressing down, Drag the depron over the edge of the desk, pulling down as you go.This motion will put a nice curl in the depron.

MIRAGE 2000

Glue bulkhead 1 into the forward fuselage belly panel as shown

6mm

6mm

Page 5

Choose whether you want a single or twin cockpit. For the twin cockpit, construct as below.

Page 1

The Single cockpit has the magnet piece added.

TWIN COCKPIT

SINGLE COCKPIT

Canopy support pieces

Bridge piece

Canopy support pieces

Bridge pieceMagnet piece

MIRAGE 2000

Page 6

Glue the carbon spar into the slot using masking tape top and bottom. Set the wing on a flat surface with heavy books on top to ensure it is bonded flat.

Page 1

PUSHER

EDF

MIRAGE 2000

Page 8

Mark the fuselage lines onto the wing according to the plans, and temporarily tape the support jigs in place with masking tape.

Page 1

Dry fit to check that the lower fuselage sides follow the marked line and maintain the angle of the jigs.

xMIRAGE 2000

Page 9

When 6mm away from its resting position, apply 5min epoxy to the wing and slide the lower fuselage side pieces over. secure in place with tape until the glue is set.

DO NOT GLUE, but use the rear fuselage belly panel as an additional guide.

Page 1

Carefully trim away the lower fuselage sides and wing around the servos to allow the servos to sit flush with the upper side of the wing panel. Glue the servos in position and then using UHU por, glue in a piece of depron to fill the hole.

xTrim away and replace after servo installation

MIRAGE 2000

Page 10

PUSHER INSTALLATION ONLY.

Glue together the 2x pusher mount pieces together using UHU por, then glue it into the fuselage.

Glue the motor stick mount into the motor mount using hot melt glue.

Hobbyking - SKU:OR004-00602

Page 1

Cut a hole in the wing panel and hot glue the ESC in place so that air can pass on both sides (see image at bottom). Run the battery cables and servo wires (+extensions) forward.

PUSHER

PUSHER

MIRAGE 2000

Page 11

Adjust the EDF mount bulkheads to suit your particular EDF size and shape (maintaining the central axis)

Using hot melt glue or silicone sealant (for noise dampening), glue the front and rear EDF mount bulkheads to the EDF unit so that they align with the slots in the fuselage

Page 1

Glue the EDF bulkeads in place using UHU por.

EDF

EDF

MIRAGE 2000

Page 12

Trim out a generous hole around your ESC. Glue two coffee stirrers to the deoron as shown, then glue your esc in the middle of the hole so that air can flow around it.

Wire your EDF to your ESC , trimming away the bottom of your EDF bulkheads to let the cables through

Page 1

Glue the two pairs of rear fuselage lower corner reinforcers in place as shown.

EDFEDF

BOTH

MIRAGE 2000

Page 13

The air intake on the mirage are a little small for 70mm EDF, so I have (reluctantly) cut cheater holes in the belly. These will allow air to circulate around the ESC and will maximise the efficiency of your EDF Unit.

Page 1

The Pusher version doesn’t need any cheater holes. Glue in place.

EDF

PUSHER

MIRAGE 2000

Page 14

Look carefully where the mating surfaces meet, then apply UHU por to all joining surfaces. Before joining, thread the Servo wires to the RX and Battery-ESC cables through to the under-cockpit area.

Page 1

Carefully shape the two fuselage side corner reinforcers until a good and accurate shape is achieved. Glue the longest sanded edge to the fuselage as shown.

BOTH

BOTH

MIRAGE 2000

Page 15

Construct the thrust tube from thin but stiff plastic sheet, joining with nylon reinforced tape. Check for a snug fit, dry-fitting the thrust tube and rear bulkhead.

Page 1

BOTH

BOTH

EDF

Glue the rear bulkhead and thrust tube in place using UHU Por using Hot melt to connect the tube to the EDF,

For the Pusher version, trim away a 12mm wide middle section, splitting it into two pieces to fit around the motor mount panel.

MIRAGE 2000

Page 16

Glue the Lower fuselage top in place as shown.

Page 1

BOTHEDF

PUSHER

MIRAGE 2000

Page 17

Glue the Upper fuselage top in place as shown.

Page 1

Glue the upper fuselage sides in place as shown.

BOTH

BOTH

MIRAGE 2000

Page 18

Using the jigs, sand the fuselage to shape, uncluding under the wing.

Mask of the wing area using masking tape to protect the wing from sandpaper catching on it.

Page 1

Choose the correct nose option and glue the Nosecone alignment jig in place followed by the nosecone.

Sand the nosecone to the correct shape and continue to sand the forward fueslage area until the correct shape is achieved.

MIRAGE 2000

BOTH

BOTH

Page 19

Cover the top of the fuselage with masking tape, then Mark on the fuselage the correct guidelines for your canopy choice - either single or twin cockpit.

Page 1

DRY FIT the turtledeck outer pieces as shown gently curving them if necessary.

MIRAGE 2000

Page 20

Whilst the outer turtledeck sides are in the correct orientation, glue the middle turtledeck sides to them as shown.

Page 1

Glue the inner turtledeck sides to the two assemblies as shown.

MIRAGE 2000

Page 21

Glue the turtledeck top to the turtledeck assemblies.

Page 1

Glue the turtledeck shaper piece to the assembly as shown.

MIRAGE 2000

Page 22

Remove the turtledeck and the masking tape, then sand the turtledeck to shape before gluing to the assembly.

Page 1

The single canopy turtledeck is much longer and requires careful handling.

MIRAGE 2000

Glue together the depron pieces that make up the canopy and sand to shape.

Test fit to the fuselage - Build a tongue using a piece of scrap depron and 3mm liteply at the front of the canopy.

Attach the magnets to the magnet panel (or as per image above if you are building the twin cockpit version)

Epoxy the magnets to rear of the canopy so that the canopy is removable but holds firmly in place when mounted.

1. press magnet into depron to impress shape. 2. Dig out a recess for the magnetusing a sharp knife.

3. Apply glue into recess andpush magnet into it.

5. When fully cured, remove tapeand put adjoining magnet on top

6. When correctly aligned, press adjoining depron onto the sticking up magnet to impress shape.

7. Repeat steps 2-4 for the upper part.

4. Whilst still wet, lay masking tapeover the area.

IMPORTANT.Before glueing the upper magnet in, check that the magnet is the right way around!

Page 23Page 1MIRAGE 2000

Page 24

Fit the forward canopy piece. With the canopy in place, further shape the fuselage to get a smooth and flowing shape.

Page 1

Using the air intake Jigs as a guide, carefully shape the air intake by using a hot air gun.

Forward canopy piece

BOTH EDF AND PUSHER

MIRAGE 2000

Page 25Page 1

Glue and wrap some sandpaper around a dowel rod.

Mark the 3mm depron air intake position using a pencil and sand away the inside edges until a smooth internal shape is achieved - This will help the EDF unit to be as effective as possible.

EDFTrim Away

Trim Away

Trim Away

EDF

Shape the 3mm Depron Shock-cone piece to resemble a cone, and stick to the side fuselage.

Glue the Air intake in place as shown.

Sand the fuselage smooth so that the transition between the air intake and fuselage is seamless.

MIRAGE 2000

Page 26

PUSHER VERSION ONLY.

Stick the splitter triangle in place as shown. (This applies to all versions of the Mirage - not just the ‘E’ version shown here)

Page 1

Stick the air intake inner face onto the splitter piece as shown.

PUSHER

PUSHER

MIRAGE 2000

Page 27

Shape the shock cone to resemble a cone and glue to the air intake inner face as shown

Page 1

The pusher 3mm outer air intake isn’t quite as deep as the EDF version due to the addition of the splitter/inner air intake face. Trim excess material away. Glue to the fuselage.

PUSHER

PUSHER

MIRAGE 2000

Page 28

Using the exhaust Jigs, Curve the inner 3mm exhaust around them, taping masking tape along the inside of the join to help hold it in place.

Glue the two ends together.

Page 1

With the exhaust Jigs in place, wrap the outer exhaust piece around the inner exhaust piece, with the join at the opposite side.

Glue together. Once set, remove the jigs and masking tape

Masking tape

Jigs

Join

MIRAGE 2000

Page 29Page 1

Glue the vertical stabiliser in place using epoxy

Glue the pieces of the rocket pod together and sand to shape.

Glue in place as shown.

MIRAGE 2000

Page 30Page 1

Glue the fins to the side of the air intakes

Fabricate the refuelling boom from plywood and glue to the aircraft as shown.

MIRAGE 2000

Page 31Page 1

Congratulations your model is now complete!

MIRAGE 2000

Page 32Page 1

Use Google images to help you find your favourite Mirage and to add scale details and paint schemes! there are so many to choose from!

MIRAGE 2000