Mosquito B Mk.IV
Exhaust Stacks
for the HK Models kit

Eduard BRASSIN, 1/32 scale

Reviewed by Brad Fallen

Eduard's 1/48 BRASSIN Spitfire Vb Gun Bays are available online from Squadron.com

When released in 2015, HK Models B Mk.IV was the first 1/32 Mosquito kit since Revell’s B Mk.IV in the early 1970s.  Tamiya’s 1/32 FB Mk.VI has subsequently stolen much of its thunder – perhaps unfairly, because the Mk.IV and its new B Mk.IX/Mk.XVI stablemate are very good kits. 

HK Models has used slide mould technology to good effect in these kits, most spectacularly with the wings and fuselage but also with many of the smaller parts.  The exhaust stacks, for example, have slightly hollowed ends that after painting and weathering look quite convincing.  But as good as HK Models’ plastic is, resin still delivers finer detail and this is where Eduard’s replacement Brassin exhaust stacks come in.

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The stacks are protected by Eduard’s standard but effective clear blister pack (albeit mistakenly labeled as being for a Mosquito ‘FB Mk.IV’ kit).  Casting quality on the review sample is near perfect, with no warping or other imperfections.  Detail is also impressive and includes finely hollowed stacks, delicate weld beading and manifold detail.  Each of the four banks of stacks is attached to its casting block by a thin, perforated strip of resin that should make cleanup straightforward.

The instructions are a small fold out sheet that shows the stacks are nearly a drop-fit replacement for their plastic equivalents.  I say ‘nearly’ because a small amount of raised detail needs to be removed from the kit engines in order for the Brassin parts to properly fit, but again this should be straightforward to do.

Finally – given most B Mk.IVs were fitted with exhaust shrouds – there’s not much point investing in the Brassin stacks unless you are leaving one or both engines uncowled, otherwise they won’t be visible.

These Brassin parts offer a subtle but noticeable improvement over HK Models’ original B Mk.IV exhaust stacks.  They look like an easy product to use and will look good on your finished model, provided you complete it in a way that allows them to be seen!

Thanks to Eduard for the samples and images.

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2017 by Brad Fallen
Except Blue Background CAD Images by Eduard
Page Created 1 November, 2017
Last updated 1 November, 2017

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