{"product_id":"1-72-hobbymaster-ha9805-dassault-mirage-iiicj-56-giora-epstein-hatzor-ab-1967-101-sqdn-israeli-air-force-limited-edition-2026-release","title":"1\/72 HobbyMaster (HA9805) Dassault Mirage IIICJ (#56) \"Giora Epstein\" Hatzor AB 1967, 101 Sqdn, Israeli Air Force (Limited Edition) 2026 Release","description":"\u003cp\u003e1\/72 HobbyMaster (HA9805) Dassault Mirage IIICJ (#56) \"Giora Epstein\" Hatzor AB 1967, 101 Sqdn, Israeli Air Force (Limited Edition) 2026 Release\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"clsLayout\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr valign=\"top\"\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003e1\/72 HobbyMaster  (HA9805) \u003cbr\u003eDassault Mirage IIICJ \"Shahak\" (#56) \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003e\"Giora Epstein\" \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eSix-Day War 1967\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eHatzor AB                      101st (First Fighter) Sqd  \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eIDF\/AF, Israel\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"clsLimited\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"clsLimited\"\u003eLimited Edition\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ctable cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e1:72 Scale\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e   \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003eLength\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e   \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003eWidth\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDassault Mirage IIICJ Shahak\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e   \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.25\"\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e   \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4.5\"\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGiora Epstein, Israel's top ace, flew the Mirage IIICJ during the 1967 Six-Day War. Piloting this agile French-built interceptor, Epstein showcased exceptional skill and precision in air combat. The Mirage IIICJ's advanced radar and powerful cannon complemented his aggressive tactics, enabling him to achieve multiple aerial victories. Epstein's success in the Mirage contributed significantly to Israel's air superiority during the conflict. His remarkable combat record, combined with the Mirage's capabilities, cemented his legacy as one of the world's greatest fighter aces. The 1967 war highlighted the Mirage IIICJ as a highly effective platform in Israeli service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.flyingmule.com\/powersearch\/?Search=CAT_TYP_JET_FTR_MIRAGEIII\"\u003eDassault Mirage IIICJ Shahak\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDesigned to meet a French government specification for a lightweight, all-weather interceptor, the Dassault Mirage III was first flown on November 17, 1956. This supersonic aircraft has a tailless delta wing configuration and is capable of high speeds (a Mirage IIIA was the first European aircraft to exceed Mach 2 in level flight). It has a provision for a SEPR liquid-fuel rocket engine, which provides additional burst thrust. In production for over a decade, the Mirage III is considered one of Europe's most successful military aircraft designs, serving 20 different nations, some of whom still fly it today.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"clsCopyright\"\u003e© Copyright 2003-2026 The Flying Mule, Inc.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"clsCopyright\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"blog-date\" datetime=\"2023-10-09T20:52:25-05:00\" pubdate=\"\"\u003eOct 9th, 2023\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/doctoraviation.com\/goria-even-israels-ace-of-aces\/\"\u003eGoria Even – Israel’s Ace of Aces\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"blog-category\"\u003ePosted in\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/doctoraviation.com\/category\/aviation-history\/\" rel=\"category tag\"\u003eAviation History\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"entry-content\"\u003e\n\u003cfigure\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/doctoraviation.com\/goria-even-israels-ace-of-aces\/\"\u003e\u003cimg width=\"250\" height=\"269\" src=\"https:\/\/doctoraviation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/977c5bea04f287df6dd58ef9bb8de5c9.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/figure\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"blog-date\" datetime=\"2023-10-09T20:52:25-05:00\" pubdate=\"\"\u003eOct 9th, 2023\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"blog-category\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.flyingmule.com\/range\/diecast-model\/aircraft\/hobby-master-air-power-series\/72\"\u003ePosted in\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.flyingmule.com\/range\/diecast-model\/aircraft\/hobby-master-air-power-series\/72\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/doctoraviation.com\/category\/aviation-history\/\" rel=\"category tag\"\u003eAviation History\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"entry-content\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.flyingmule.com\/range\/diecast-model\/aircraft\/hobby-master-air-power-series\/72\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIsrael’s Ace of Aces is Giora Epstein.  I ran across his story while researching the Doctor Aviation blog on the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eYom Kippur War.  I share Giora’s story with you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"\u003eGiora Even’s Humble Beginnings\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGiora was born in the Holy Land in a town named Negba in 1938.  This was ten years before Israel became a nation again.  He grew up on a kibbutz, or large farm.  He loved aviation as a boy and studied flying books.  As the Sinai War of 1956 began, Giora joined the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).  He wanted to become a pilot but was rejected due to a heart condition. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo instead, he applied to be a paratrooper.  He went on to become an instructor in the field and eventually became a member of the IDF parachute demonstration team while logging over 700 jumps.  It was at this time that Giora changed his last name from Epstein to Even, which means stone in Hebrew. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"\u003eGiora Even’s Road to Flight\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter three years of mandatory military service Giora returned to the Kibbutz.  His dreams of flying were not done.  He returned in 1961 to request admittance to flight school.  This time he was not eliminated from flying due to the heart condition but restricted to helicopter flight.  He flew helicopters and combat helicopters but yearned to fly fighters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.flyingmule.com\/range\/diecast-model\/aircraft\/hobby-master-air-power-series\/72\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003cfigure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.flyingmule.com\/range\/diecast-model\/aircraft\/hobby-master-air-power-series\/72\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.flyingmule.com\/range\/diecast-model\/aircraft\/hobby-master-air-power-series\/72\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/doctoraviation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/7609774fc8d518b0ad88f86b8d000e4f.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/doctoraviation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/7609774fc8d518b0ad88f86b8d000e4f.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5617\" width=\"247\" height=\"396\" srcset=\"https:\/\/doctoraviation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/7609774fc8d518b0ad88f86b8d000e4f.jpg 320w, https:\/\/doctoraviation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/7609774fc8d518b0ad88f86b8d000e4f-187x300.jpg 187w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 247px) 100vw, 247px\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/figure\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter gathering evidence from a US Air Force cardiologist, he took his case to Ezer Weizman, the commander of the Israeli Air Force (IAF).  He told Weizman that he would not leave the receptionist office until he was allowed to go to fighter training.  The next day Weizman gave him the green light\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"\u003eGiora Even: Hawkeye\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGiora went on to fly numerous fighters.  He quickly earned the nickname Hawkeye as he could reportedly see an enemy aircraft 24 miles away, when the typical pilot could see only 8 miles.  It was reminiscent of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eChuck Yeager, the American pilot who also possessed legendary eyesight. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"\u003eGiora Even: The Six Day War (1 Kill)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen the Six Day War began on June 5, 1967.  Hawkeye was flying the Mirage III, a French built air interceptor.  There was a battle with four Sukhoi-7s.  Even jumped on the tail of the fourth Sukhoi 7 and shot it down with a cannon while flying at over 700 knots about 50 feet above the deck. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"\u003e\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/doctoraviation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Sukhoi-7.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/doctoraviation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Sukhoi-7.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5613\" srcset=\"https:\/\/doctoraviation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Sukhoi-7.jpg 600w, https:\/\/doctoraviation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Sukhoi-7-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/doctoraviation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Sukhoi-7-320x213.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"\u003eSukhoi-7\u003c\/figcaption\u003e\n\u003c\/figure\u003e\n\u003c\/figure\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"\u003eGiora Even: The War of Attrition (4 Kills)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom September 1967 to August 1970 Egypt along with Jordan and the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) launched sporadic attacks against Israel in order to try to regain the Sinai Desert lost in the Six Day War.  Egypt intensified the attacks in 1969 and 1970.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring this period of increased intensity in the War of Attrition, Giora claimed four more aerial victories. For all of the victories he was flying the French made Mirage III.  On August 20, 1969, he shot down an Egyptian MiG-17 with his cannon.  On September 11\u003csup\u003e,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e1969, he shot down an Egyptian Sukhoi-7, again with a cannon.  On March 25, 1970, his cannons proved true again as he shot down two MiG-21s within seconds on the same mission near the Suez Canal.   \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"\u003eGiora Even: The Yom Kippur War (12 Kills)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen the Yom Kippur War began in 1973, Even was initially assigned a headquarters job in Tel Aviv.  However, after the headquarters staff filled out, Even quickly rejoined the fighting ranks.  On October 18, twelve days after the Egyptian invasion, Even was flying the Mirage III when he spotted an Egyptian Mi-8 helicopter who had just dropped napalm on an Israeli Armored personnel carrier.  He shot it down with a cannon over the Great Lake.   \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe next day, now flying an IAF Nesher (an Israeli derivative of the Mirage V), Hawkeye shot down two Egyptian Sukhoi-7s, one with a missile and one with his cannon.  He was about 10 miles from the Suez Canal.  That same day, October 19, he boarded his Nesher again, with the same tail number.  They engaged 8 to 12 planes.  He bagged two Egyptian Sukhoi-20s, one with a missile and one with his cannons.  He now had four kills in the same day, on two different missions. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"\u003e\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/doctoraviation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Nesher.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/doctoraviation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Nesher.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5612\" srcset=\"https:\/\/doctoraviation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Nesher.jpg 400w, https:\/\/doctoraviation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Nesher-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/doctoraviation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Nesher-320x180.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"\u003eNeshers\u003c\/figcaption\u003e\n\u003c\/figure\u003e\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/doctoraviation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/MiG-21-1.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/doctoraviation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/MiG-21-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5609\" srcset=\"https:\/\/doctoraviation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/MiG-21-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/doctoraviation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/MiG-21-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/doctoraviation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/MiG-21-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/doctoraviation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/MiG-21-1-320x213.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"\u003eMiG-21 \u003c\/figcaption\u003e\n\u003c\/figure\u003e\n\u003c\/figure\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs if the story could not get any bigger, it does.  The next day, October 20, 1973, there was a massive dogfight between the Israelis and the Egyptian Air Forces, southwest of the Great Bitter Lake.  As each of his wingmen hit “bingo” fuel they had to return to base (RTB).  By the end, Giora found himself alone\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eagainst ten MiGs.  By the time the dust had settled, Hawkeye had four kills, all of MiG 21’s, one by missile, three by cannon.  He now had 9 kills in 3 days. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs it seemed the war would wind down, Giora thought the action was over, but it wasn’t.  The Egyptians planned an ambush against the IAF near the Great bitter Lake.  What ensued was the largest dogfight of the Yom Kippur War – Ten Israelis versus 20 Egyptian MiGs.  What resulted was three more kills for Hawkeye, all MiG-21s.  Bringing his kill total for the war to 12.  What’s more is that these 12 kills were amassed over just seven flying days.       \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"\u003e\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/doctoraviation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/1280px-Hatzerim_Mirage_20100129_1.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/doctoraviation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/1280px-Hatzerim_Mirage_20100129_1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5615\" srcset=\"https:\/\/doctoraviation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/1280px-Hatzerim_Mirage_20100129_1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/doctoraviation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/1280px-Hatzerim_Mirage_20100129_1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/doctoraviation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/1280px-Hatzerim_Mirage_20100129_1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/doctoraviation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/1280px-Hatzerim_Mirage_20100129_1-320x240.jpg 320w, https:\/\/doctoraviation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/1280px-Hatzerim_Mirage_20100129_1.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"\u003eHawkeye’s Mirage III\u003c\/figcaption\u003e\n\u003c\/figure\u003e\n\u003c\/figure\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"\u003eGoria Even after the War\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing the War, Goria was awarded the Medal of Distinguished Service.  He went on to command several fighter squadrons.  In 1977 he retired from active duty, but remained a reserve officer and flyer until 1997, when he retired at the age of 59.  He finished his career flying the F-16 and accumulated over 5,000 flying hours.  His 17 kills earned Hawkeye the title of “Ace of Aces”. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"\u003e\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/doctoraviation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/gallery-1448753921-giora-epstein-w-jet-2.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"320\" height=\"350\" src=\"https:\/\/doctoraviation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/gallery-1448753921-giora-epstein-w-jet-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5606\" srcset=\"https:\/\/doctoraviation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/gallery-1448753921-giora-epstein-w-jet-2.jpg 320w, https:\/\/doctoraviation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/gallery-1448753921-giora-epstein-w-jet-2-274x300.jpg 274w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"\u003eGoria’s Kills on display\u003c\/figcaption\u003e\n\u003c\/figure\u003e\n\u003c\/figure\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cfooter class=\"blog-footer\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"entry-tags\"\u003eTags:\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eAce,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eEzer Weizman,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eGoria Epstein,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eGoria Even,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eHawkeye,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eIAF,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eMirage III,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eNesher\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sharing-buttons\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"fb-like fb_iframe_widget\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/footer\u003e","brand":"airdrop militaria","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49570906308867,"sku":"HA9805","price":200.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/airdropmilitaria.com\/products\/1-72-hobbymaster-ha9805-dassault-mirage-iiicj-56-giora-epstein-hatzor-ab-1967-101-sqdn-israeli-air-force-limited-edition-2026-release","provider":"airdrop militaria","version":"1.0","type":"link"}