New from Aires is 4336, a mixed-media 1/48 scale version of the variable exhaust nozzles found on the McDonnell Douglas F-15C/D Eagle without their covers or “turkey feathers” as they have been dubbed.

The F-15 Eagle employed a variable incidence exhaust nozzles in. an attempt to further improve manoeuvrability and short takeoff and landing (STOL) performance. In service, maintenance of these proved to be irksome and the "turkey feather" panels that enclosed the exhausts were soon removed to simplify serviceability needs.

So what, you say? Well when the “turkey feathers” were removed, they exposed the workings of the variable nozzles in all their minute detail which, if you are trying to model one in 1/48 scale it means a whole lot of delicate work.

Thankfully, this new release from Aires saves you that trouble. A relatively simple set, it consists of a pair of etched metal flame holders, a pair of the representation of the after end of the turbines, the afterburner tubes, the exhaust nozzles themselves, and the pushrods.

The casting detail is right up there to the Aires standards. The ceramic afterburner liners are well represented as are the complex workings of the variable nozzles themselves. With the latter, you are supplied with separate pushrods, fifteen are required for each of the nozzles and Aires have thoughtfully provided you with a couple of spares in case of losses to the carpet monster.

The aft end of the nozzles are cast extremely thin, even translucent. Be careful here as they are easily broken, ask me, I know!

The set comes packed in a flimsy cardboard box with the resin pieces packed into a clear plastic zip-loc bag and the etch-metal fret inside a separate plastic bag that also contains a piece of thick cardboard to keep the fret flat.

Assembly instructions are via a small piece of paper that shows an exploded-view suggested assembly sequence as well as a diagram of the parts to help you to identify them.

A great little set from Aires.

Recommended.

Thanks to Aires for the review sample

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

Postscript

I have included a couple of shots that I took of the two F-15s that were on display at the Avalon 2007 Airshow.

Looking at the shots of their rear ends, you can get an idea of just how complex the nozzle adjusting mechanisms are!

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images: