MiG-29 Fulcrum Chaff and Flare Dispenser Set
Aires began in 1995, making 2026 their 31st anniversary. They are based out of the Czech Republic and include not only the Aires brand name, but Quickboost, Aerobonus, and Wheelliant.
Aires Hobby Models Quickboost has released a Chaff & Flare Dispenser Set for the Great Wall Hobby 1/48 MiG-29 series of kits. These dispensers are located in the shallow strake-like fairings ahead of the vertical tail fins. The BVP-30-26M chaff/flare dispensers, fire 30x 26mm PPI-26 flare cartridges and were first tested on the sixth prototype, “917”, code named “17 Blue”. The Great Wall Hobby kit includes parts for the dispenser covers in place and with the covers removed showing the dispenser detail. Quickboost provides two resin parts with a left and right-hand geometry in grey resin with no apparent air bubbles. These Quickboost parts are designed to display the dispensers after the covers have been ejected. I don’t know if it’s true for operational MiG-29s, but on other aircraft, the dispenser covers are often removed to save maintenance time.
The parts are packaged in the standard Quickboost re-closable packaging with a paper stiffener along with the description card. Instructions consist of two pages with the first page being a product description. The second page is the actual instructions showing where you will need to cut the vertical tail fins. The Great Wall kit has one attaching the kit parts not on an existing panel line which will require filing and sanding to finish. The Quickboost set is designed to cut the vertical tail fins to a panel line and then mate the Chaff & Flare Dispenser set to that panel line. If one looks at the comparison of the Great Wall Hobby kit parts and the Quickboost parts, it is clear that the Quickboost parts have significant more detail, especially in the uncovered dispenser detail.
Although most paints will adhere to resin alone, I would recommend that you wash the parts to remove any remaining mold release. I use Dawn dish soap followed by a good rinse and occasionally wiping with IPA if I wish to be extra cautious. They will need to be installed with your favorite CA (Superglue) or epoxy, as the normal plastic glues or solvents will not react with the resin.
If you wish to show the dorsal chaff/flare dispensers without their cover, this product is a good way to enhance your 1/48 Great Wall Hobby MiG-29 Fulcrum kit and is well worth the time and cost.. They may also work for other 1/48 MiG-29 Fulcrum kits, but I only have Great Wall Hobby kits to compare to. This product is highly recommended due to the superior appearance of the Quickboost parts over the injected kit parts.
Highly recommended!
My thanks to Aires Hobby Models and IPMS/USA for the chance to review this great product.
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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