Moskit Me 109E exhaust set
by Saso Knez
I was born in a tehnical familiy, and in Slovenia, we don't have ordinary high schools, we have many sorts of them. I attended a very good tehnical high school in Trbovlje. There I was taught everything there is to know, about sawing, filing, turning, welding, casting, CNC programming etc. And after years of intense tehnical education I still DON'T HAVE A CLUE HOW THIS SET IS MADE!!!
Moskit is a Russian company focusing on providing exhaust sets for models, mostly in 1/48 scale, but they have some in 1/32 scale. I have obtained mine via a Russian friend. I know the line carries the Me 109E, Spitfire Mk. I/II and Mustang and also the Me 109G exhaust set. Aparently there were some mix-up's with the availability of the sets in the USA, but as I hear there are readiliy available now. My advice is that you stock up-they are cheap!!!
Now to the set. It comes well pacaged, and arrived safe. On close inspection there are no differences from left to right. Be aware that it is not always the case with other sets. One note is that apart from the Me 109E subvariants the set can also be used on other planes that used the DB-601 engine (like the Craftworks Mc 202).
The exhaust set is made out of metal. I think it is an very light alloy, like something between aluminum and lead. Now the best thing is that these pipes are hollow. That means that the exhaust set would actually work. This means that with this a spectacular effect for modeling is achived.
The exhaust stubs are fragile, not like glass but still you have to be careful not to twist and deform it. Also there are several microscopic bubles on the surface. I am not bothered with this, if you are I suggest that you apply a lot fo water to a small blob of miliput. A very watery mixture will be produced. Apply the mixture to the surface and wash off the residue.
The stub is cast in a dark brown colour, but it still requires paiting.
Anyway under the line, the set is exellent and is well worth the price (although, I am not sure for how much it retails in the USA).
If you are building the Me 109E this is a must, since the exhausts are the weakest point in the Hasegawa kit, this is a must.