Aires has issued several styles of exhausts for the current 1/48th scale kits on the market. These kits have either open or closed nozzles and for either the Hasegawa or Revell kit. So there are four sets in total. This set is for the Hasegawa series of F/A-18E/F kits and has closed nozzles. The set consists of six parts- two flame holders, two exhaust tubes and two closed nozzles. Casting is perfect. There are no flaws or blemishes.

The set is simplicity to use by removing the casting blocks from each of the six pieces, three per side. You can see in the comparison shots that the detail is much higher in the resin parts. The interior of the afterburner petals is much better and has the correct shape.

Here’s a great picture.

As you can see, Hasegawa could not replicate the interior due to mold limitations while Aires gets it right. Also of note is that the flame holders which have more detail and depth. Lastly, the Aires set has more depth, about 0.75 inches which scales to 3 feet and look more accurate. Lastly, the exhausts themselves have much more interior detail.

Another hit from Aires - more detail, accurate and a drop in replacement for the kit parts. My thanks to IPMS and Aires for the opportunity to review this item.