AIM-9B Sidewinder with Pylons
PJ Production has jumped in to help 1/48 Mirage III series model builders. This new release provides two AIM-9B Sidewinders along with the Aero 3 missile rails and the CES-3 pylons featured on the Dassault fighter. This set is probably focused on the new Kinetic 1/48 Mirage III kits, but it should also work well on the Academy, Eduard, Fonderie Minatures, Heller, and Hobby Boss kits; along with the older ESCI kit that has also been re-boxed by Revell and Italeri.
Notable is the re-sealable packaging that PJ Production uses that makes the parts easy to review and then stuff back into the package securely. You will want to be careful handling the resin fins as their small size makes them an easy sacrifice to the carpet monster. Painting instructions are included with the small instruction sheet. I found several air-bubbles in the resin parts, on the nose and the tail fins. Gap filling super glue with baking soda quickly solved the issue.
Assembling the resin parts is fairly easy, with the primary challenge being aligning the Sidewinder guidance fins. The Sidewinder body has pre-drilled holes to fit the locator pin on each fin. I used a # 76 drill bit to open the holes a bit larger to assist fit. I would recommend using a fine tooth razor saw to remove the parts from their pour stubs. The CES-3 pylons separate from the pour stub quite easily. The Sidewinder fins will take a bit more care due to small and delicate size.
Be sure to use your favorite CA (super glue) or epoxy, as the normal plastic glues or solvents will not react with the resin material. I primed the Sidewinder and the pylon with Tamiya Fine Surface Primer and then followed with Vallejo flat white on the missile. The CES-3 pylon was painted with Vallejo Metal Colors Aluminum. Decals for the Sidewinder or the CES-3 pylon are not included.
My thanks to PJ Production and IPMS/USA for the chance to review this resin set.
Recommended!
Reviewer Bio
Frank Landrus
Frank retired from the Ophthalmic industry with over thirty-six years of Research and Development experience. Frank's first model kit was a 1959 Hawk 1/72 US Marines Vought AU-1 Corsair and has been building models for over sixty years. Frank's first encounter with IPMS was attending a North Central Texas ScaleFest show in 1984. Frank soon became more involved in Make-N-Take activities and became the IPMS Western Coordinator for Make-N-Takes [West of the Mississippi River]. Make-N-Takes quickly became a local model contest and airshow staple reaching a high of reaching over 1,300 children before the COVID shutdown. Frank has volunteered to assist in contest judging since 1985 and is currently the Nationals Head Figure Judge until he is dead or they find someone better.
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