Amigo Models from Russia is producing some wonderful after-market resin products for 1/72 and 1/48 aircraft. This particular set is for the Mig-21bis and Mig-21-93 which both use the R25-300 engine. The box contains five resin pieces secured in bubble wrap. These pieces make up the afterburner/exhaust sections of the engine and exhibit excellent detail both inside and out.

Although the pour stubs look daunting, I had an easy time cutting the pieces from the stubs with a razor saw. The pieces are not numbered, but the instruction sheet has actual sized drawings to help identify them. After washing the set with soap and water, I spayed on Vallejo primer followed by a couple coats of different Alclad II metallic paints. Dry brushing with acrylic metallic colors added some zip to the finish. Amigo’s website provides some photos of the actual exhaust for a color reference. As you would expect with five pieces, assembly is quick. However, I had to do additional sanding on some mating surfaces to get the entire length of the exhaust aligned.

Amigo Models states the accessory is for the Mig-21bis without specifying which kit. In my collection, I have three different company’s kits of this aircraft: Tamiya, RV Aircraft and Zvezda. This after-market exhaust fits the Tamiya model best with just a little shaving of the interior bulkheads needed for a good fit. The RV model requires more sanding of the interior aft fuselage, as well as sanding down external details on the exhaust itself, to get the assembly to seat properly. To install this assembly into the Zvezda kit, you will have to perform some major surgery to the aft fuselage as it is more slender than either of the other two models. I do not have a Mig-21-93 in my stash.

The finished product looks very realistic. My only issue is the lovely detail on the exhaust is mostly hidden in the fuselage. You would only see the fine detail if you opened panels on the model around the aft fuselage or displayed it outside the aircraft. Once it is in the proper position in the fuselage, you can only see the aft surface of the end of the exhaust (see photos).

My thanks go to Amigo Models for providing this after-market item for review.