MiG-23 Exhaust Nozzle

RES-IM, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Brad Fallen

HyperScale is proudly supported by Squadron.com

R.V. Resin’s MiG-23 kits are generally regarded as the best available of this Soviet Cold War fighter in 1/72 scale.  They have also been released in a number of versions: the R.V. Resin website currently lists 11 different MiG-23 kits, including one ‘what if’ boxing featuring art of a JSDF MiG-23MF.  Despite the manufacturer’s name, the kits are produced in injection-moulded plastic.

• 
• 
• 
• 

Thumbnail panels:

Czech aftermarket company RES-IM Resin Improvements offers a suite of upgrades for these kits.  Mark Davies has reviewed several of the sets here on Hyperscale, examining the wheel bays, cockpit set and KM-1 ejection seat in 2012, and the wheel render (mudguard) in 2013.  Mark concluded the sets had been produced to very high standards, and recommended them as “excellent quality detail sets to enhance your R.V. Aircraft MiG-23 or other brand Flogger”.

This resin exhaust nozzle set has been similarly well cast.  It contains only two parts:  an afterburner chamber to replace the multi-part kit chamber, and nozzle petals that are also a drop-fit replacement.   I don’t have an R.V. Resin kit with which I can make a direct comparison, but photos of the kit parts reveal the RES-IM items have much crisper detail.  The interior of the afterburner chamber is particularly well done, and the one-piece casting avoids the almost unreachable seam you would have to deal with if you used the plastic parts.  The quid pro quo is that the interior of the RES-IM part will be trickier – although not impossible – to paint and weather.

Both parts are attached to substantial casting blocks that will need to be carefully removed with a razor saw.  In doing so, take care not to cut through into the rear of the nozzle chamber, as repairs here will be difficult.  The nozzle petals, once removed from their casting block, will require careful sanding down on a flat surface to remove any resin film remaining before they can be attached to the rear fuselage.

Given that these parts directly replace kit equivalents, instructions are neither provided nor necessary.

If you are planning to build one or more of the R.V. Resin 1/72 MiG-23 kits, then you should investigate this and related RES-IM detailing sets.  The parts in this exhaust nozzle set should be straightforward to use, and will considerably enhance the appearance of your finished model.

Highly recommended.

Thanks to Resin Improvement for the review samples.

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2014 by Brad Fallen
Page Created 7 July, 2014
Last updated 7 July, 2014

Back to HyperScale Main Page

Back to Reviews Page