1:72 Mirage 2000 Exhaust Open v. (Revell,Italeri,Heller)

Mirage 2000 – the exhaust nozzle in the open position, 1:72 scale

This is not a kit of an aircraft but an accessory to a model of the French Mirage 2000 fighter in 1:72 scale. It replaces the exhaust nozzle of the engine – the place where injected plastic in a small scale usually loses out. The casting has thin edges and a legible inside, so that the tail of a model is rid of the typical impression of a blind thick-walled cone.

Open, or closed? This set is the version with the nozzle open. The same accessory is made with the nozzle closed as well. The difference lies purely in the expression of a model: spread nozzle petals answer to an aircraft in flight or with the afterburner lit, and closed petals, by contrast, to a machine parked on the ground. Decide before the build, because a later change already means interfering with a finished tail.

Usage tips

Before gluing, wash the casting in lukewarm water with detergent, so that no release agent from the mold stays on the surface to keep the paint from clinging. Cut the casting block off with a saw or a cutting disc and level the face with a file. Resin is bonded with super glue; cement for plastic has no effect on it. Sanding should be done wet and with respiratory protection. The inside of the nozzle comes out well with metallic shades, and it is worth darkening the transition to the edge lightly and adding a hint of heat staining.

Who the accessory is for

• Modelers who build the Mirage 2000 in 1:72 scale and want a more faithful tail
• Builders of models in flying attitude, on the flight line or in a dynamic scene
• Anyone interested in working with resin and equipped with super glue and basic tools
• Collectors who are bothered by the blanked-off nozzle from an ordinary kit

This is an accessory, not a complete model. The base kit, glue and paints are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.