Review: Gloria Model 48th scale jet exhaust nozzles.

Gary Wickham has four more sets of Gloria model's 48th scale aircraft improvements for your F-16, F-14 & F35 to examine today. See their detail & contents in his thorough review...

Review: Gloria Model 48th scale jet exhaust nozzles.
From Gloria Model
1/48th scale
Reviewed: Feb 2024

Gloria Model have been hard at work creating new aircraft accessories and figures for our modern jets in 1/48th scale. Gloria Model is part of ET Model based out of China.

In this review I'll look in more detail at the following six sets:
-GR48010A - F-14B/D F110-GE-400 Exhaust Nozzle & Afterburner - open (for Tamiya and Great Wall Hobby kits)
-GR48010B - F-14B/D F110-GE-400 Exhaust Nozzle & Afterburner - closed (for Tamiya and Great Wall Hobby kits)
-GR48016C - F-16C Fighting Falcon BLOCK 25/32 P&W F100 Carbon Fiber Exhaust Nozzle & Afterburner - open (for Tamiya)
-GR48035 - F-35A Lightning II Engine Exhaust Nozzle - open (for Tamiya)

F-14B/D F110-GE-400 Exhaust Nozzle & Afterburner - open 

From Gloria Model 

1:48th scale

Kit No GR48010A

2-D printed jet exhaust nozzles in resin

Price: $60 USD from Hobbylink Japan

Designed for use in the Tamiya 1:48 F-14D or GWH 1:48 F-14B kits, this set includes parts to accurately represent a GE F110 exhaust (open) with afterburner + blast tube. I'll be curious to see how these parts fit to both the Tamiya and GWH kits as I expect they would be engineered quite differently, but perhaps not.

The benefits of a one piece 3D printed engine nozzle and tubular blast tube is pretty evident as it eliminates that nemesis of jet modellers, the dreaded join seam. The extra detail is always welcome but never underestimate the draw of easier assembly to get modellers onboard.

As with the other Gloria engine sets, the level of detail in this set is impressive. It is a real pity that these parts will be all but invisible when buried deeply inside the fuselage but we can at least enjoy them here now in photo form.

The F-14D was powered by two F110-GE-400 engines with 28,200 lbs thrust each. This increased thrust for the new Tomcat meant no afterburners were required for catapult launch on an aircraft carrier, improved "behind the boat" flying characteristics and more fuel efficiency. As pilots said, "the F-14D's new engines finally allow the pilot to fly the aircraft rather than the engines." The installation of the new GE engines required only minor changes to the aft fuselage and engine exhaust area. [anft.net]

The variable nozzle is beautifully represented with the petals in the open (full power) position. The interior of most modern afterburning engines is covered with ceramic plates (as it is the best material to repeatedly absorb that much heat). One thing that stands out for me with the Gloria sets is how the petals are represented as separate pieces which accurately overlap each other and that behind each petal you can see is hollow just like the real thing.

The one piece blast tubes are a real time (and sanity) saver compared to a kit part in two halves.

As you would imagine the instruction sheet is minimal. One thing that worried me a bit is the second sheet showing how much of the kit needs to be cut away to fit the afterburner parts. I am not sure if this is needed for both the Tamiya and GWH kit but I'll be doing some extensive test fitting before I cut anything.

F-14B/D F110-GE-400 Exhaust Nozzle & Afterburner - closed

From Gloria Model 

1:48th scale

Kit No GR48010B

2-D printed jet exhaust nozzles in resin

Price: $60 USD from Hobbylink Japan

Designed once again for use in the Tamiya 1:48 F-14D or GWH 1:48 F-14B kits, this set includes parts to accurately represent a GE F110 exhaust (closed) with afterburner + blast tube. This is basically the exact same set as GR48010A (the open nozzle) with only the nozzle being different.

Two full engines sets are included with the closed nozzles being the only difference to the GR48010A set we looked at above.

The closed nozzle is every bit a detailed as it's open sibling. The metal petals have subtle surface detail which will be visible even under a coat of paint and weathering.

The instruction sheet, not surprisingly, is pretty much identical to the open nozzle set GR48010A.

 F-16C Fighting Falcon BLOCK 25/32 P&W F100 Carbon Fiber Exhaust Nozzle & Afterburner - open 

From Gloria Model 

1:48th scale

Kit No GR48016C

2-D printed jet exhaust nozzles in resin

Price: $33 USD from Hobbylink Japan

Next up is a new exhaust nozzle, designed to be used with Tamiya 1:48 F-16C kit. The nozzle is the P&W style and is displayed in the open position. It represents the newer nozzles where "carbon fiber" is used to replace the metal petals. The box states that this nozzle is designed for use on a Block 25/32 P&W F100 jet but in my searching I have only found these newer technology nozzles to only be fitted to Block 42/52 or later airframes. I'd suggest you check your references for the jet you are modelling before using this nozzle.

The set includes the nozzle, blast tube and afterburner ring. The 3D printed parts are exceptionally sharp and cleanup of the print supports will be minimal.

A closer look at the internal fan and afterburner ring show a beautiful level of detail, only dreamt of in plastic. It's a real pity virtually none of this will be visible on your finished model.

A close up photo of the carbon fiber petals shows the distinctive dark grey color and weaved texture finish. 

According to ChatGPT: "The transition to a carbon fiber exhaust nozzle for the F-16C occurred as part of an upgrade program known as the Common Configuration Implementation Program (CCIP). The CCIP aimed to standardize and upgrade the avionics and systems of the F-16C/D Block 40/42 and Block 50/52 variants. One of the improvements included the introduction of a carbon fiber exhaust nozzle to replace the older metal nozzles. This change was implemented to reduce the aircraft's infrared signature, making it less susceptible to infrared-guided missiles."

This information would support my findings that these nozzles would not have been fitted to Block 25/32 aircraft as proposed by Gloria Model. The texturing on the exterior sides of the petals is very convincing and will give your model that extra edge when representing a jet fitted with the new carbon fibre nozzle.

This Block 52 Thunderbirds F-16C is fitted with the new nozzle.

F-35A Lightning II Engine Exhaust Nozzle - open 

From Gloria Model 

1:48th scale

Kit No GR48035

2-D printed jet exhaust nozzles in resin

Price: $33 USD from Hobbylink Japan

The last new release in this review is an interesting set, designed to fit the new Tamiya 1:48 F-35A kit. Just about every aftermarket manufacturer has released a resin nozzle for this kit, but none, to my knowledge, have tackled the nozzle with the petals (turkey feathers) removed, thus giving us the first naked .

I was quite mesmerised by the extraordinary level of detail that the Gloria digital designers have been able to incorporate into the naked nozzle. Every nut and bolt, actuators and nuance has been included and the 3D print is simply stunning, capturing it all in super sharp relief.

The F135, used to power the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, is seen here undergoing Accelerated Mission Testing in the AEDC facility in support of Component Improvement Program efforts. The nozzle has no petals fitted and gives us a good opportunity to appreciate the details normally hidden beneath.

The second nozzle represents the engine with the petals on, a far more common sight. The undercuts, behind the petals, look very convincing and is a testament to the ability of these new 3D printers. It seems nothing is too hard for them to reproduce.

CONCLUSION - Gloria Model 1:48 3D Printed Accessory Sets
It's encouraging to see Gloria Model coming out with more new detail sets. Much like their first launch sets I have to say I continue to blown away by the quality, accuracy and detail they have achieved.

I certainly have no hesitation is recommended these detail sets for your next modelling project.

Gloria's jet nozzles continue to be some of the best I have ever seen. Enough said.

Previously Gloria products have been hard to source but they seem to have sorted that now with several well known retailers stocking Gloria such as Hobbylink Japan, the48ers.com and super-hobby.com. They also seem to be reasonably priced, and that is coming from someone who buys things in Australian dollars !!

Gary Wickham

You can see more of Gloria Models products on the ET Model Website...

You can see more of Gary's model making on his website Scalespot.com