Platz 1/72 JASDF F-15J Eagle J-MSIP I/II
By Matt Bittner
Early In 2016 Platz released what many consider to be the superlative 1/72 F-15J. This time Platz has released the same kit but has included all the J-MSIP I/II upgrades.
Like the USAF the JASDF has awarded a contract to upgrade and update their F-15J fleet. The Japanese upgrade/update consists of new ejection seats; new engines; upgraded computers and electrical systems; and the Raytheon AN/APG-63(V)1 radar. This radar in turn will support the AAM-4 missile, what some consider the Japanese "AMRAAM".
I will let the reader familiarize themselves with my first review. To that basic kit Platz has added more sprue for the added parts so you must follow the instructions closely. Some of these will be holes to drill to accept different antenna, etc. Decals, printed by Cartograf, are very nicely printed and appear to be in register. Since, at the time of the kits' release, there were only eight F-15Js completed with the J-MSIP upgrades all eight of those aircraft are catered for on the decal sheet. In addition the sheet includes all the stencils found on an F-15J. Because of that you'll probably spend almost as much time applying the decals as you did assembling the kit. Just take your time and pay careful attention to the instructions.
Conclusion
I still think this is the best 1/72 F-15 on the market, albeit an F-15J. Getting to a non-JASDF F-15 won't be easy with the external differences between an F-15J and the other F-15s but it can be accomplished with time and patience. However, since the Academy F-15C is still a great kit in its own right, definitely don't discount that when creating a non-JASDF F-15.
I definitely send "thanks" to Platz for sending in the review kit.