The R-60 (AA-8 Aphid) is a Soviet/Russian short range infrared (IR) homing air-to-air missile. It has been fielded for 35 years and is widely used by a variety of Soviet/Russian manufacturer aircraft. For attack aircraft, it is their primary means of self-defense. The UZR-60 is the training variant of the R-60, distinguished by its lack of rear delta fins and the three black bands designating a training shape. It is a captive training shape that does not leave the missile rail. The UZR-60 has an active IR seeker, and interfaces with the aircraft’s weapons system to allow the pilot to determine when the missile has IR acquisition.

The Lockheed P-38 was one of the most recognizable and deadliest aircraft in World War II. It was originally conceived to meet a U.S. Army requirement in 1937 for a high-altitude fighter capable of 360 mph at 20,000 ft. and be capable of full-throttle endurance of one hour at this altitude. Lockheed’s winning design utilized a radical twin-engine, twin tail boom, tricycle landing gear configuration. Designed as a fighter that could fly faster and higher than any other fighter at the time, it was capable of carrying out several types of missions. It could perform as a bomber, a reconnaissance plane, and an escort. However, where it excelled was in the roll of a fighter. It had great success in the China-Burma-India and Pacific Theaters. It also played a vital role in the skies over North Africa and the European Theater. Many pilots became an ace flying the P-38.

There are four manufacturers of 1/48 scale kits of the Mirage 2000 – Airfix/Heller, Italeri, Kinetic, Monogram, and, of course, the re-boxing of the Heller kit by Eduard. All of these kits have poorly detailed exhaust nozzles, except the Eduard re-boxing which provides PE to overhaul the engine to a more convincing replica, the exterior exhaust petals being particularly noteworthy. Enter Aires with its offering of both an open and closed nozzle replacement engine. This is a review of the open nozzle set.