Aires

1/72 F/A-18C Exhaust Nozzles Closed - Stock Number: 7214 1/72 F/A-18C Exhaust Nozzles Open - Stock Number 7215 For the Academy F/A-18C

Stock Number: 7214 & 7215

Reviewed By  Mike Hinderliter, IPMS# 45124

MSRP: $23.45 each Website: www.aires.cz Aires offers these replacements exhaust sets in either the open or closed position for the Academy F/A-18C. They are molded in a light gray resin that is bubble free and they are nicely detailed. The fans are PE and really add a lot to the look of the exhaust. That is until you install it into the bottom of the exhaust and hide it away never to be seen again. I also tried them on a Hasegawa kit, just for fun, and they will also fit but you need to add them before you put the body halves together. I do believe that they also make a set that is designed for the Hasegawa kit and then it will slide down as easy as the one for the Academy kit did. The Aires nozzles look good but the Academy nozzles aren't that bad either and since that is the only part you are going to see, I don't think that it makes that much difference. The instructions were clear and had easy to understand drawings on the usual blue paper that Aires is known for. As far as a recommendation goes I believe that these sets are a must if your AMS level is above a nine out of a possible ten. They are pricey, each costing almost as much as the kit, and that decision is up to the modeler. For me, I think a cockpit would show better but if you want the ultimate F-18, these will work perfectly. Thanks to Aires and IPMS USA for the opportunity to use these new sets.