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This is a detail set for the R-77 (P-77) Russian air-to-air missile. It contains two missile bodies
(part R1) cast in a light yellow resin along with two photo-etched trees containing four
maneuvering fins (part E1). There are no decals provided.
The overall finish to the resin is glass smooth with no pin
holes whatsoever. The etched parts were excellently done
but one set of them was incompletely etched and the area in
the middle was missing (see illustration at right).
Construction wise, practically no work needs to be done. There is a mold block to remove with a
razor saw, and some very thin flash needs to be trimmed from the rear portion of the missiles. A
mold seam that remains after trimming the flash is extremely easy to eradicate with sandpaper. I
had to notch the mounts for the rear fins for the etched parts.
The etched fins can be mounted in a folded configuration by bending them, or can be left as is to
represent the fins in the open mode. I chose the latter.
Only one colour option is available - overall gloss white with black for the rear fins. Painting
consisted of a primer coat of Testors flat light grey, which was covered with Krylon gloss white,
with a final coat of Testors gloss white. The fins were roughed up a bit with sandpaper and then
coated with Krylon gloss black. They were attached in the open mode to the missile with super
glue.
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Conclusion
Overall an excellent rendition, though I hope that my incompletely etched fins were an aberration and not the norm.
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