Hasegawa June 2015 Upcoming Releases
By Chris Banyai-Riepl
1/72 P2V-7 Neptune “VSA”
Favored by the 51st.
The original P-2 Neptune was first developed for the US Navy to serve as a land-based anti-submarine patrol aircraft early in the Cold War. However, it wasn’t exclusively flown by the US. 51st Squadron pilots from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) were specially trained to test and evaluate P2V-7 Neptune aircraft from spring 1963 through fall 1981.
Kit Features:
New resin vertical fin and metal sensor parts
One marking option:
- JMSDF 51st Sq., Code: 4655, Shimohusa AB
Total Parts: 123
Skill Level: 3
Available: June
Stock Number HSGS4016
Retail Price $69.99
1/72 F-4EJ Kai Phantom II “302SQ 40th Anniversary”
Four decades of domination
Phantom II aircraft were the last aircraft to be flown by aces in the twentieth century—carrying numerous pilots to the five kill mark and beyond. They set sixteen world speed and altitude records that stayed in place for decades. They were America’s most commonly produced supersonic aircraft. Though they have been phased out of use by the American military, nearly one hundred of these exceptional craft still provide air reconnaissance for the JASDF.
Kit Features:
Special marking option:
- JASDF 7th AW 302nd SQ, 40th anniversary special marking (1974-2014) Code: 400 (77-8400) Hyakuri AB Feb. 2015.
Total Parts: 117
Skill Level: 3
Available: June
Stock Number HSGS2161
Retail Price $44.99
1/72 F-14A/B Tomcat “VF-74 Be-Devilers Adversary”
Testing out the “Toms”
VF-74 Be-Devilers were the first US Navy Squadron to fly the Phantom II and the first to fly the F-14 Tomcat. They flew these astounding aircraft in many high-profile missions during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Towards the end of the unit’s service, they flew their F-14 Tomcats in the adversary role to help keep other units sharp. After fifty years in service, VF-74 was inactivated in 1994. This limited edition kit features two sets of Be-Devilers decals. Kit
Features:
Two marking options:
- F-14B: USN VF-74 “Be-Devilers” Code: AA105
- F-14A: USN VF-74 “Be-Devilers”
Total Parts: 211
Skill Level: 3
Available: June
Stock Number HSGS2152
Retail Price $49.99
1/72 Kawasaki® Ki-10-II Type 95 Fighter Combo
The IJAAF’s final fighter bipe.
Designed by engineer Takeo Doi, the Ki-10 was the last fighter biplane used by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force. It boasted fabric-covered, all-metal construction, along with twin 7.7 mm (.303 in) Type 89 machine guns which were synchronized to fire through the three-bladed prop. 280 Ki-10-II aircraft in all were built by Kawasaki between June 1937 and December 1938.
Kit Combo Features:
Two Kawasaki Ki-10-II Type 95 Fighter kits
Two marking options:
- IJAAF 2nd Air Battalion, Code: Ha
- IJAAF 77th Flight Regiment
Total Parts: (Per Kit): 63
Skill Level: 3
Available: June
Stock Number HSGS0149
Retail Price $42.99
1/72 Mitsubishi G3M3 Attack Bomber (Nell) “903rd Flying Group”
Further and faster
Designed to bring strategic bombing support to the armies and navies of Imperial Japan, wherever they conquered, the G3M3 was ahead of its time. It eschewed armor and defensive armament in favor of speed and multi-mission flexibility. Although this was its greatest innovation, it was also the type’s greatest downfall. Without self-sealing fuel tanks and with light defensive armament, the type could be brought down by relatively slight damage. It was considered antiquated by WWII, but fought on nonetheless.
Kit Features:
Two marking options:
- IJN 903rd NFG Code: Yo G-375 1945
- IJN 901st NFG Code: KEA-395 1945
Total Parts: 122
Skill Level: 3
Available: June
Stock Number HSGS2156
Retail Price $42.99
1/72 TBF/TBM Avenger & F6F Hellcat “The Battle of Leyte”
Conquest through confusion and calamity
The Philippine Island Chain was essential to Imperial Japanese war plans. It sat astride the shipping lanes that kept Japan supplied with oil. U.S. forces were sent to capture the islands and the IJN was determined to stop them. The resulting “Battle of Leyte Gulf” was one of the most confusing surface actions ever fought but one thing was clear—American airpower enabled our forces to find, strike, and destroy the IJN in detail.
Kit Features:
Two kits with decals for:
Avenger:
- TBF-1C: USN USS Essex VT-15 Code: 93 Oct, 1944
- TBM-1C: USN USS Intrepid VT-18 Code: 86 Oct, 1944
- TBM-1C USN USS Enterprise VT-20 Code: 43 Oct, 1944
Hellcat
- F6F-5 Early: USN USS Cabot VF-29 Code: 17 Oct, 1944
- F6F-3: USN USS Intrepid VF-18 Code: 31 Oct, 1944
- F6F-5 Early: USN USS Essex VF-15 Code: 41 Oct, 1944
Total Parts: 46 + 38
Skill Level: 3
Available: June
Stock Number HSGS2162
Retail Price $42.99
1/72 P-51B/C Mustang “Air Racer”
Breaking barriers, one flight at a time.
To say Jacqueline Cochran made aviation history is an understatement. Not only did she set multiple speed and altitude records, but she also won five Harmon Trophies for her outstanding piloting skills over the course of her career. This two-kit combo recreates two airshow P-51 Mustangs once flown by the legendary “Speed Queen.”
Kit Combo Features:
One 1/72 P-51B kit and one 1/72 P-51C kit
New dorsal fin and fuselage bulge parts
Two marking options:
- P-51C: Jacqueline Cochran, Code: 90, THUNDERBIRD
- P-51B: Jacqueline Cochran, Code: 13
Total Parts: (P-51B): 52(P-51C): 53
Skill Level: 3
Available: June
Stock Number HSGS2155
Retail Price $44.99
1/48 F1M2 Zero Model 11 Seaplane “Battleship Musashi”
Eyes in the air
Useful for spotting the enemy, spotting the fall of heavy artillery and redirecting shots, and shooing off enemy aircraft, the seaplane was considered an essential part of naval strategy before the perfection of long-range radar. As floatplanes went, the F1M2 was a fairly good aircraft. It had a 230mph top speed, three machine guns, and long range. However, the F1M2 was simply outnumbered by the hundreds of aircraft directed at the battleship Musashi during the Battle of Leyte Gulf.
Kit Features:
Decals for IJN combined 2nd fleet, 1st Squadron
- Battleship Musashi Code: 211-01, 212-02 Oct, 1944
- Battleship Nagato Code: 213-01, 213-02 Oct, 1944
- Battleship Yamato Code: 211-01, 211-02 Oct, 1944
- Battleship Yamato Code: 1/200 01
Total Parts: 124
Skill Level: 3
Available: June
Stock Number HSGS7408
Retail Price $42.99
1/48 Nakajima B6N2 Carrier Attack Bomber Type 12
The IJN’s tough torpedo-bomber.
Nicknamed “Jill” by the Allies, the Nakajima B6N2 carrier-based torpedo bomber was distinguished by its swept-forward tail fin and rudder. Nine B6N2s were among the extensive fleet of aircraft found on the Japanese aircraft carrier Amagi. However, the majority of B6N2 launches were made from land, not sea.
Kit Features:
New torpedo and bomb parts
Two marking options
- IJN 601st NFG, Code: 601-312, Carrier Amagi, Jan. 1945
- IJN 601st NFG, Code: 601-76, 601-35, Katori AB, March 1945
Total Parts: 164
Skill Level: 3
Available: June
Stock Number HSGS7401
Retail Price $42.99
1/48 Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero “The Revenge That Was Buried in the Mountain”
Matsumoto’s masterful machine
Appearing in Leiji Matsumoto’s battlefield manga “The Revenge that was Buried in the Mountain” in his book “The Cockpit”, the Zero is an iconic symbol of Imperial Japan. This model Zero is representative of both an aircraft in the Matsumoto series and the thousands of real-life aircraft that flew during WWII.
Kit Features:
Manga-inspired kit with decals for:
- USN Pilot: Myers
- IJN Pilot: Oyamada
Total Parts: 71
Skill Level: 3
Available: June
Stock Number HSGS4722
Retail Price $41.99
1/48 “Shidenkai No Maki”Nakajima Ki44-II Shoki (Tojo)
Fun with firepower
Shidenkai No Maki, a Japanese manga which features aerial combats to the death between high school girls, will really flip your lid. It’s the newest dish to be dreamed up by Takeshi Nogami and we’re serving up plastic models to go with it! If you’re not into anime, you can still enjoy this cool model of one of the most sophisticated late-war Japanese fighters. These birds were heavily armed and capable of engaging the hitherto untouchable B-29.
Kit Features:
Manga-inspired kit with decals for:
- Pilot Student: Fuko Yajima “Fujin”
- Pilot Student: Raina Kitajima “Raijin”
Total Parts: 83
Skill Level: 3
Available: June
Stock Number HSGS4721
Retail Price $41.99
1/48 Lavochkin LaGG-3 “Finnish Air Force”
Fight to the Finnish.
The Lavochkin LaGG-3 was distinguished by wood-laminate construction, which added durability, plus two 12.7 mm Berezin UBS machine guns that delivered more burst mass than any other Soviet fighters of its era. The Finnish Air Force captured three LaGG-3s during the war, where they were primarily used as a bomber interceptor. Over 6,500 LaGG-3s were produced from 1941 until 1944.
Kit Features:
Two marking options:
- LaGG-3 early type, Finnish AF, LeLv 32, Code: LG-1
- LaGG-3 late type, Finnish AF, LeLv 32, Code: LG-3
Total Parts: 67
Skill Level: 3
Available: June
Stock Number HSGS7400
Retail Price $42.99
1/12 Honda® NSR500 “HB Honda”1989 WGP500
More muscle per mile.
The Honda NSR500 was already a champion by the time it was revamped for the 1989 season. Top speed exceeded 190mph (310 km/h); horsepower was rated at 165 hp (123 kW) at 12,000 rpm. With so much muscle per mile at his disposal, it’sno wonder the Honda NSR500 carried Pierfrancesco Chili to a sixth-place finish that season!
Kit Features:
New wheel parts
One marking option:
- Team “HB Honda,” 1989 WGP500, 6th place rider: Pierfrancesco Chili
Total Parts: 179
Skill Level: 3
Available: June
Stock Number HSGS1714
Retail Price $59.99
Visit the Hasegawa USA website for more information.