F-15C/D/E/K P&W Exhaust Nozzle & Afterburner Set (Opened)

for the Tamiya kit

KA Models, 1/32 scale

Reviewed by David Couche

Eduard's 1/72 Avia B.534 IV serie Weekend Edition is available online from Squadron.com

KA Models is a relative newcomer to the aircraft modelling fraternity and is based in Korea. Having never heard of them before, some quick research shows they have been an active producer of auto and shipping modelling accessories and well as a limited number of kits. It appears they first started in 2007 and now are rapidly expanding their range into aircraft accessories. Their ‘About Us’ page is blank so I’m happy to be corrected if wrong.

MA-32014 - F-15C/D/E/K P&W Exhaust Nozzle & After Burner Set

The afterburner exhaust and nozzles on a F-15 are a complex piece of engineering, especially with the “turkey feathers” removed, as seen below.

The Tamiya kit provides a pretty good rendition of them which involves close to 50 parts to get the look of the real thing.

KA Models has produced a single piece drop in part for the main section along with a highly detailed burner plate and exhaust pipe with intricate detail.

These parts are 3D resin printed parts which has no need for all of the supporting scaffolding found on earlier 3D printed releases from many companies. The detail is incredible with only minimal signs of the layered 3D printing effect. As someone who has worked with 3D printers for many years, the advancement of complexity and quality from KA Models is exceptional.

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The set consists 6 resin parts with these being the flame stabilizers (holders), the tailpipe and the exhaust nozzles, with 2 of each supplied. Upon opening my box I was dissapointed to find that one of the nozzles had been shattered and the plastic bag containing the parts has a pile of tiny pieces of resin floating around in it.

I believe that for such a fragile set of parts, and may I say quite expensive at USD$80 (just under AU$120), that the packing lacked the resilience to arrive in it’s destination (in my case Australia) in one piece. OK….whinge over with! The tail pipes have supurb detail in them just crying out for good painting and weathering. Have fun though trying to airbrush that length of pipe.The flame stabilizers (holders) have been produced with the miltiple levels with in the real structure. Again a real delight!

The box has no instructions but construction is very simple being only 3 parts. KA’s web site has some excellent coloured photos of completed units including some cutaway sectioned oned to give painting guidance but no actual colours named. I’ve put a couple of these here as well.

Now comes the million dollar question - would I recommend them to my fellow modellers?

I must say the quality of the actual parts is amazing. I sent an email to KA Models and received a prompt reply offering to replace the parts, so well done KA for good after sales service. Secondly, a Tamiya F-15C in Australia retails at about AUD$160 new, and this set costs AUD $120. To add these parts is nearly the cost of the kit. The question is, does the improved quality and simplicity to add this set justify the expense.

I will recommend these parts on the sheer quality of the parts but it will be up to you to justify the cost.

Thanks to KA Models for the sample.

Review Text Copyright © 2019 by David Couche
Page Created 10 September, 2019
Last updated 11 September, 2019

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