Platz 1/300 Japanese Flying Boats
By Matt Bittner
Introduction
In the 1960s, Shin Meiwa demonstrated an excellent STOL-capable flying boat that led to the production of the PS-1. It wasn't long when a search-and-rescue aircraft was wanted, so Shin Meiwa deleted all the military equipment from the PS-1 creating the US-1. When it was decided to upgrade the PS-1/US-1 fleet, ShinMaywa (as they were later called) took the US-1 and with many modifications created the US-2. It will eventually replace the US-1 fleet and India is also looking to purchase the aircraft.
The Kit
The Platz kits come in two boxings, with two models per box, the only difference between the boxings are the decals. The first box, PF-18 has markings for a US-2 and the US-1/1A. The second boxing, PF-19, has markings for the US-2 and the PS-1. There are extra parts (that are still contained in both boxes) added to the PS-1 that is left off the US-1. Each release also contains stands for both aircraft. There are 31 pieces for the US-2 and 36 for the PS-1/US-1. For kit PF-18 the markings are for hull numbers '01' and '02' for the US-2 and numbers '72' and '90' for the US-1/1A. For kit PF-19 there are markings for one US-2 and two different PS-1s (hull numbers '10' and '22'). Decals are by Cartograf and are extremely nice and in register. And there are a lot of them. Everything you could think of for these aircraft are actual decals, from the stencils all the way to the areas behind and under the engines to all windows.
Construction won't take long. The wing is one piece while the fuselage is split in lateral halves. The only thing you'll need to add inside is weight (the instructions call for three grams) and once that's taken care of the fuselage halves can be assembled. Add the one-piece wing and the horizontal tail pieces and your airframe is complete. The engines and floats are in halves so once those are assembled they can be added as well (although you might want to leave them off until after painting). Undercarriage can be displayed either down or up and there are separate parts both of those.
The largest amount of time you'll need for these models is with the decals. There are a lot of them so take your time and follow the instructions.
Conclusion
These are excellent kits to build if you're in an AMS funk. When you finish either or both of them from a single box you'll have some unique models to display.
Our thanks to Platz for sending these in for review.