Zactomodels 1/32 MiG-23 Intake Splitter Plates First Look
By Michael Benolkin
| Date of Review | August 2011 | Manufacturer | Zactomodels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | MiG-23 Intake Splitter Plates | Scale | 1/32 |
| Kit Number | 32032 | Media | Resin |
| Pros | Detailed correction to Trumpeter kits | Cons | Nothing noted |
| Skill Level | Intermediate | MSRP (USD) | $25.00 + Postage |
First Look
Zactomodels is a small aftermarket company that does some of the most incredible engineering and casting to correct or convert selected beloved subjects. This time around, they've started a series of sets to improve Trumpeter's great 1/32 MiG-23 Flogger kits.
No kit is perfect and many folks can live with the intake splitter plates as-is in the kit. For those of us who are more serious about the subject, you can see in the image above (with the blue background) the Zactomodels resin splitter plates on the left and one of the Trumpeter splitter plates (two parts - front and rear). You can see that there is a shape difference between the two plates and Zactomodels definitely nailed it. These parts are drop in replacements for the three-piece splitters (Trumpeter also uses a photo-etched part to represent the tiny air holes that run through the plate but are slightly out of place.
Of course Zactomodels found that the head-on shape of the intake wasn't quite right and provides instructions for the modeler to fix that with some cutting, scrap plastic and sanding/filing. You can see more about this on their website.
As I mentioned, this is one of several sets being produced for the MiG-23 which also include wing glove pylons/missile rails and your choice of single or twin-rail Aphid launchers for the ventral stations.
You can learn more about this and other project from the Zactomodels website at http://www.zactomodels.com.
My sincere thanks to Zactomodels for this review sample!