1:32 F-4 E/F/G/J/S Phantom II Exhaust Nozzles For TAMIYA

Engine nozzles for the late Phantoms

A twin-engine heavy machine has its rear end formed by a pair of large circular mouths, into which one can see deep inside from behind. They are the largest openings on the whole aircraft and on a large model they make up the focal point of the view. The versions listed in the name of the package make up the late generation of the type, which has its mouths worked out differently from the earliest production machines.

In a kit the nozzles are usually made up of several rings and after gluing they have a coarse wall whose thickness is apparent. Inside there tends to be only a smooth tube, because a metal mold cannot see in. The casting manages both: it draws the rim out to a sharp edge and fills the inside with lengthwise plates with gaps between them, so that on looking into the mouth the view is lost in the depth.

The painting is half the result here. The inside is done in metallic shades with a color transition from golden through bluish to dark, because the metal at the mouth works at high temperature. The outer rings tend to be lighter and more matte. A dry brush on the edges of the plates draws the whole effect together.

The castings are prepared for the large Tamiya kits. They are fitted only after the rear end is finished, so that the thin edge of the mouth is not damaged during handling.

One more small thing is worth mentioning. The mouths tend to be darker in photographs than a modeler expects, because a great deal of soot and burnt deposits really does hold on them. So do not be afraid to go lower with the shade; the rear end gains in believability by it and stops looking freshly polished.