The Revell F/A-18E is a nice kit of the modern Navy fighter. There are ways to improve it though. The F/A-18 exhaust nozzles close down on shutdown. So this detail set is perfect for the Revell kit. The kit engines are small, inaccurate, and shallow completely lacking depth and detail of a modern jet engine.

There are eight total parts in this set molded perfectly in light grey resin. Each engine has four pieces. There are obviously the exhaust nozzles, but the real story is inside the engine. The burner can, afterburner can and flame nozzle all have detail that isn’t available in the kit. The kit actually provides tiny simulated engines. There is no depth and very little detail. What detail is there is not accurate for such a big engine. Another benefit of this set is that the parts have no seam lines to fill and hide. The pour blocks are easily removed and molded on the inside of the component so they will be not visible when assembled. The key to this whole assembly is in the painting.

You will be required to drill out the back of the Revell kit as the kit engine is totally inadequate for the model. Don’t forget to add some additional weight to the nose.

This set addressing one of the glaring errors of the Revell kit, the shallow and inaccurate engine and exhaust nozzles. It does cost as much as the kit but the end result makes it worth the investment.

Highly recommended

Thanks to Aires and IPMS/USA for the review copy. You can get yours directly from Aires or at your local hobby shop or online retailer.