They include the Kawasaki C-1 Combo, B-25H Mitchell - Nose Art, T38A Talon Combo, F-111E Aardvark - Nose Art, F/A-18E Super Hornet - Royal Maces 2013 and F-104C Starfighter – Vietnam.
I said it before but I’ll state it again. Hasegawa Hobby Kits are some of the finest (if not the finest) scale model plastic model kits produced. If you purchase a Hasegawa Hobby Kit and expect a quick snap together, no glue or decal model kit, you’re out of luck. These are models to be made by big boys. No amateurs here.
That’s not to say that a neophyte model maker can’t make a Hasegawa Hobby Kit. They can. Hasegawa makes it possible by following their highly precise Assembly Instructions that guide model makers through each step from the preparation of parts to final decaling. Follow the instructions—wind up with a professional looking model.
All Hasegawa Hobby Kit models feature precisely scaled models with little or no flashing parts attached to easy to identify model trees numbered for quick access. Painting instructions allow modelers to customize models to match different configurations and decals authenticate both the model and the markings.
Instructions also include interesting historical text about each aircraft model. I find this especially helpful not only for their historical significance but when assembling a model it allows the modeler to customize environments should they decide to do so.
Packaging is clean and precise with full color photos or illustrations displayed prominently on the front of the model boxes accompanied by small photos taken from various angles around the model, depending on the model. These are especially helpful in giving the aircraft models an authentic look.
Aircraft can be displayed with wheels up or down. And, depending on the model, canopies can be opened or closed and various personnel and equipment displayed or in view.
Interior details (especially the aircraft) are just as detailed as the exteriors. Exterior details even go so far as to show the riveting of each aircraft body. Now that’s precise!
Kawasaki C-1 Combo (2 kits)
Scaled at 1:200 the Kawasaki C-1 Combo model kit recreates the Japanese Air Self Defenses most reliable cargo and troop transport. Known for its reliance the only downfall of the aircraft was its short flight capabilities.
This was done on purpose so the aircraft could not be used for long-range military strike capabilities.
Three decal configurations are available: J.A.S.D.F. 2TAG 402SQ 50th anniversary marking Code: 007 Iruma A.B. 2008, J.A.S.D.F. 1TAG 401SQ Code: 007 Komaki A.B. and J.A.S.D.F. 3TAG 403SQ Code: 007 Miho A.B.
Heavy bodied and low to the ground the Kawasaki C-1 is the workhorse of the skies. Twin powerful engines hang mid-wing, flush with the fuselage. Snub-nosed with slits for windows the aircraft features a rear open cargo bay/ramp and a huge tailfin with oversize rear wings.
Exterior details include twin front wheels, eight wheels in the rear and antenna and other instruments liberally sprinkled on the upper fuselage.
The model is a masterpiece of miniature engineering with full interior and exterior details, detailed painting instructions and decals for two configurations.
B-25H Mitchell - Nose Art
The "Viking's Vicious Virgin" B-25H 82nd bomber squadron aircraft flew almost extensively during WWII in Africa and Chine/Burma/India. A tree-level bomber, the B-25H carried 75 mm cannon and forward-mounted machine guns used primarily for strafing enemy ground forces. Two decal variations are available.
The 1:72 Scale model is a reproduction of a classic WWII aircraft that most people associate with the Allied forces. Upper, side and rear gun turrets boast huge gun emplacements and the powerful three blade propellers glide this heavy duty bird of destruction through the skies.
Triple mounted machine guns bristle out of its nose that is decorated with eyes and mouth and just under the cockpit on both sides are scantily clad young lady paintings.
Large rear wings stretch almost as long as its front wings. Both are topped with tailfins providing extra stability.
This is my favorite model of this batch as I am a real sucker for WWII aircraft. Be sure to check out the full instrumentation interior and the attention to detail right down to metal plate rivets.
T38A Talon Combo (2 kits)
The USAF supersonic training aircraft USAF 1:72 Scale model is fashioned after the T38A Talon used primarily for flight training. Extremely agile during flight the light weapons T38A have been used for over 50 years. NASA astronauts frequently used it to keep their flying skills current. Two versions are available: a NASA and a training wing variant.
What a sleek beauty! The long lean aircraft tapers from a bulbous cockpit to sleek rear cockpit with a twin jet engines unibody construction. Perched high off the ground on its triple wheels the turned up nose Talon looks as if it is snubbing its nose at the skies.
A long cockpit offers a wraparound view of the skies for the pilot. A huge tail fin allows the aircraft to dart about the skies with nary a waver.
The model can be displayed with wheels up or down and cockpit opened or closed. The large cockpit really showcases the interior details perfectly duplicated by Hasegawa craftsmen.
F-111E Aardvark - Nose Art
“Dirt pigs do the dirty work.” It’s an appropriate designation for the F-111E Aardvark. The 1:72 Scale model of the aircraft recreates its distinctive variable sweep wings. The wings allowed the aircraft to fly quickly and efficiently.
Capable of carrying an enormous bomb load for its size the F-111E Aardvark carries 30,000 lbs of bunker-buster and cluster bombs. The Limited Edition model features “The Chief” decal on its nose along with standard configuration decals.
Similar in body design as the Talon but with a longer fuselage and wing mounted engines the Aardvark is a tri-wheel wonder of the skies.
More bullet than aircraft it appears as true predator of the skies with lots of teeth and claws to get the job done. Pay particular attention to the model's unusual wing configuration. Displayed with wheels up or down the model offers an opened or closed cockpit, a camouflage paint scheme and decals for true authenticity.
F/A-18E Super Hornet - Royal Maces 2013
Categorized as a heavy-hitter for the U.S. Navy the F/A-18E Super Hornet-Royal Maces 2013 aircraft is recreated perfectly in 1:48 Scale. In service since 1999 the multi-function aircraft is both a strike fighter and refueling tanker.
With thousands of airstrikes credited to it during Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom the Super Hornet aircraft served almost exclusively on the U.S.S. George Washington.
Get ready to be stung as the Hornet fires up its powerful twin jet engines, navigates the skies nimbly courtesy of its twin tailfins, aerodynamic body design and swept back wings. It cockpit barely bulges over it upper fuselage.
Bristling with air and ground weapons the Super Hornet looks poised to strike. Sleek but beefy the aircraft lands on two wide spanning rear wheels and heavy duty front tires.
Full air-to-air weapon capability and extra fuel tanks make this one aircraft that offers firepower and long flight capabilities. The model parts feel heavy in their box and for good reason. It's a heavy duty model for a heavy duty aircraft. Paint and decal application appear to be more complicated than most models and take a steady hand to apply.
F-104C Starfighter - Vietnam
The Vietnam War era Starfighter was a frontline fighter aircraft. Light, fast and nimble the F-104C Starfighter deterred Russian interference during the war. Capable of pushing Mach 2 it could fly so fast enemy aircraft could not keep up with it making it the perfect combat fighter.
Truly a star of the 1960s the Starfighter will forever be associated with the Vietnam War.
Dart like in appearance the Starfighter is a single pilot aircraft with a single fuselage engine making the sleek and simply designed aircraft minimal in appearance. But appearances can be deceiving as it was lethal during combat.
Much like the aircraft the model looks simple at first. But after separating the parts from the part trees it becomes clear that there is more to this model than meets the eye.