When we were doing the research for the Mirage IIIE/5/50 kits we identified over 100 different variants.  As the prototype Mirage I flew in 1955 and the last new build Mirage 50C was delivered in 1982 this is not surprising.

Our Mirage kits include a number of different nose options which make it very flexible for the modeller.  Here we present the different types of noses fitted to the Mirage 5 family.

Mirage 5 'standard' Nose

The early Mirage 5 has a distinctively different nose to the Mirage IIIE.  The Cyrano radar was eliminated and the nose enlarged to fit a simplified avionics package.  These early versions - 5J, 5F, Nesher - can be identified by the blunt tip of the nose.  This nose was also used on the later Mirage 50C & 50FC (Chile) with a Cyrano IVM radar.

This nose version is included in the High Planes Mirage kits.

Mirage 5 Belgian Nose

The Belgian Air Force Mirage 5BA and its derivatives 5P, 5P3 (Peru), 5PA2, 5PA3 (Pakistan), 50CN and 5M Elkan (Chile) were different again. The doppler and Aida radars and other avionics were moved forward into the nose compartment making space for additional fuel behind the cockpit.

There are some variations of this nose where the underside vent was eliminated.  The nose was also used as the basis of the RAAF reconnaissance nose.

This nose version is included in the High Planes Mirage kits.

Mirage 5 Aida II Nose

Later, the Electronique Marcel Dassault (EMD) AIDA II solid-state fire-control radar was fitted in the nose.  This can be used for simple air to air interception or ground attack. The Aida II package was fitted to the production 5COA (Colombia), 5D (Libya), 5PA (Pakistan), 5V (Venezuela), 5AD (Abu Dhabi), 5SDE2 (Egypt), 5M (Zaire), 5G and 5G2 (Gabon).  It was also added to the 50-01 demonstrator.

This nose version is not included in the High Planes Mirage kits but is available as an resin accessory. HPA072034

Mirage 5 "F.1" Nose

The final nose style fitted to the family was the Mirage F.1 style which housed the multifunction Thomson CSF Cyrano IV M3. The Aida II package was fitted to the 50EV (Venezuela) and 5P4 (Peru). It was also added to the III NG-01 and 50M demonstrators.

This nose version is not included in the High Planes Mirage kits but is available as an resin accessory. HPA072025

Other Variations

Since production ceased Dassault, Israel Aircraft Industries and Denel have all been active in refurbishing and upgrading Mirage survivors.  These upgrades have sometimes used variations on the Kfir avionics and nose - 5COAM (Colombia), 50CN Pantera, IAI Finger (Argentina) - or retained the original Mirage 5 nose as with 5P Mara (Argentina),  ROSE III (Pakistan) or 5 SDE 2 (Egypt).

The Kfir style nose is included in the High Planes Mirage kits.