Hasegawa 1/72 F-4G Phantom II 'Wild Weasel'

HASEGAWA 1:72 F-4G PHANTOM II 'WILD WEASEL'
'INBOX Review'

Reviewer: Myself (smakr@bigpond.com)

Kit: Hasegawa KA-8 - F-4G Phantom II 'Wild Weasel'

Parts: Packaged in one cellophane bag containing 10 - yes that's 10 - sprues of injected molded parts in an aircraft grey colour - approximately 120 parts. No flash - parts are very nice and crisp. One clear sprue consisting of the two canopy sets plus a dozen other very small clear parts for lights, radar, HUD and mirrors - not many for use in this kit.

Instructions: A large fold out like strip that makes each page roughly the size of an A4 page. There are 4 pages in the fold out - double sided to make 8 pages. There are more than a dozen assembly steps that makes the instruction sheet itself look very 'busy' through the construction stages. It is, however, typical Hasegawa assembly views - logical and a little vague in exact positioning for some of the parts. It also contains two pages devoted each to a different aircraft example with top, both sides and underside views. A page is also devoted to sprue diagrams - showing all the location of the pieces on each of the sprues, plus shading for the parts not to be used in this kit. Advice on applying decals and general modelling 'rules' is also provided plus a short paragraph on the history of the aircraft. A diagram titled 'Aircraft in Action Series' shows the various different external stores arrangements that the F-4G carries. As usual, the paint colours are quoted from the Mr.Color and Gunze Sangyo ranges with approximate names beside them. There are more than 20 paint colours quoted in the instruction sheet. Instruction rating for info and assembly : Very Good.

Versions: An example from the 563rd TFS 37th TFW USAF is provided for in the kit, featuring the more renowned Aircraft Grey and Dark Grey wrap around scheme. Wingtips, forward fuselage section and tailfin are in the lighter Aircraft Grey while the rest is Dark Grey, including tailplanes, FLIR unit and anti-glare panels plus silver panelling on the tailplanes. The second example in the kit is 23rd TFS 52nd TFW USAFE - that's USAF based in Europe. This features the European camouflage wrap-around scheme of Green, Dark Green and Aircraft Grey. This also features a shark's mouth and a black nose whereas the first example has only the very tip of the nosecone painted in black. As stated above, a page is devoted to each scheme in the instruction booklet.

Decals: Most Hasegawa decal sheets are of excellent register and generally good quality for the aircraft. This appears to be no exception. Eight USAF insignia are provided ranging from a light grey to a dark grey/black - almost like a grading from 'bright' to 'dark' on the TV! Quite a fair bit of stencilling is provided plus large grey strips for the fuselage and wings. Instrumentation is also provided on the decal sheet. Other components including the illuminous formation strips, sharks mouths and colourful fin tip band are also included.

Accuracy: To be honest it's really hard to forecast accuracy - there are so many pieces in this kit that one could not make a final judgement until the kit is built. However, one gets the feeling that with all the work one has to put in and with all the parts included this is going to be a very accurate reproduction of the aircraft. It really beams with quality.

Detail: This is excellent - panel lines are well detailed and engraved finely on the model surface. Cockpit detail is well catered for - a rarity for Hasegawa. It includes two seats (which are assembled from four pieces and well molded - plus the overhead ejection harnesses) on a tub unit with side panels and rudder pedals for the pilot. A rear bulkhead and a pilot/backseater separation wall is provided. Two differently molded sticks for rear-seater and pilot, instrument panels with decals to attach are also supplied. The rear panel in particular is well molded and a bulge fairing is included behind the rear-seater. A HUD for the pilot is provided as well as a mirror to place on the rear canopy. Wheel well detail, however, is minimal and needs some sprucing up. A myriad of fairings and panels are fitted to the aircraft suggesting that the kit has a lot of detail in the finished form.

Options: Options are limited but you can have open canopies, positionable rear stabilisers and I think some speed brakes can be positioned open but I am not sure on the last item. Weapons stores is best described as abysmal with only underwing and fuselage belly tanks provided! You will need your spares on hand to add anything in yourself.

Impressions: Impressions are that this is a very detailed and busy kit and is one only for the more experienced modeller. This is more to do with the number of parts and intricate detailing than anything else. I am disappointed with the absence of weapon stores, obviously you need either to raid your spares box or go and get the 1/72 weapons kit. I think that this would also be a good project for someone wishing to enter this kit into a competition as there is a lot that one can beef up themselves. I had a bit of a play test fitting components and they appear to go very well together although the air intakes look as if they might cause a bit of a headache. The stages of the major component assembly are: Cockpit unit is encased inside a forward fuselage section, which the nosecone/FLIR is then attached onto. The rear fuselage section incorporating the tailfin is glued together and then attached to the forward section, during which you also attach the air intakes and splitter plates. The wings come in five pieces - a one piece undersection, minus the outer wingtip section (the part that slants distinctively in the Phantom planform). Two upper sections are attached to the undersection and then the outer wingtip sections are attached. The whole wing section is then affixed to the aircraft while encasing the twin exhaust nozzles. I am excited about tackling this project later down the line when I have some time and inspiration on my hands.

Other Comments: I think this may be Hasegawa new tooling but am unsure - the detail etc in the kit seems to indicate it is. The kit also comes with a heavy price tag as one would expect of this brand, more especially in the rather large box.

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