Hasegawa Press Release: April 2013 Releases, Part 2!
By Chris Banyai-Riepl
1/32 Scale P-40N Warhawk "502nd Fighter Squadron"
Warbirds of the 502nd Fighter Squadron
P-40 Warhawks served the Allies for the entirety of World War II. The "N" variant was the most advanced version. "N" models, powered by Allison engines, had longer fuselages and carried up to six .50-caliber machine guns. While inferior to many contemporary aircraft, Warhawks inflicted considerable damage on Axis forces.
Kit Features:
- Two decal marking options:
- 1. U.S.A.A.F. 337th F.G. 502nd F. Sq., Code: 17, 1944
- 2. U.S.A.A.F 49th F.G. 8th F. Sq. Capt. Robert H. White, 42 "Kansas City Kiddie III," Nov., 1943
- Total Parts: 189
- Skill Level: 3
- Limited Edition
Available: Late April
Stock Number HSGS8233
Retail Price $79.99
1/48 Scale Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2 "Finnish Air Force"
Fighting over the frozen fields of Finland
The Winter War of 1939-1940 put Finland firmly on the side of Germany against Russia during WWII. German-built Messerschmitt Bf 109s gave outnumbered Finnish Air Forces a fighting chance against the numerically-superior Soviets. Finnish force's air victories numbered eight times their losses in punishing combats in the skies over the Eastern Front. These victories helped the Finns maintain their independence when much of Eastern Europe was absorbed by the Soviets after WWII.
KIT FEATURES:
- Resin landing gear and upper nose panel parts
- Three decal marking options:
- 1. Finnish A.F. 1/LeLv 34 W.O. I. Juutilainen, Yellow-2: MT-222, July 1943
- 2. Finnish A.F. 2/HLeLv 24 Lt. E. Riihikallio, White-3: MT-213, May 1944
- 3. Finnish A.F. 1/HLeLv 24 Lt. L. Nissinen, Yellow-5: MT-225, April 1944
- Total Parts: 80
- Skill Level: 3
- Limited Edition
Available: Late April
Stock Number HSGS7329
Retail Price $56.99
1/48 Scale P-38J/L Lightning "Putt Putt Maru"
Putting down the I.J.N.A.S.
Charles MacDonald flew "Putt-Putt Maru" for much of WWII. In the intense aerial battles of the Pacific War, he shot down 27 enemy fighters with his P-38. These victories and his exceptional abilities as commander of the 475th Fighter Group made him one of the top Allied aces of the war. P-38 Lightnings were the ideal aircraft for the Pacific, their long range, high speed and heavy armament let U.S. forces successfully engage Japanese planes wherever they might be.
Kit Features:
- Two decal marking options:
- 1. P-38J: U.S.A.A.F. 475th F.G., Code: 100 "Putt Putt Maru," June 1944
- 2. P-38L: U.S.A.A.F. 475th F.G., Code: 100 "Putt Putt Maru," March 1945
- Total Parts: 152
- Skill Level: 3
- Limited Edition
Available: Late April
Stock Number HSGS7330
Retail Price $64.99
1/48 Scale Nakajima Ki44-I Type 2 Fighter Shoki (Tojo) & Contra-Rotating Propellers
"Tojo" interceptors
Most of the Pacific Air War was fought between fighters and dive bombers, but the strategic bombers of the U.S. played a key role in destroying the industrial capacity of Japan. The Nakajima Ki44-I was developed to stop those bombers from reaching the home islands. A high rate of climb and service ceiling allowed the Ki44-I to quickly engage oncoming American bombers. Once in position, a considerable array of high-caliber weapons brought those bombers down.
Kit Features:
- New metal contra-rotating propeller and radiator parts
- One decal marking option:
- 1. I.J.A.A.F. contra-rotating propellers experimental plane
- Total Parts: 79
- Skill Level: 3
- Limited Edition
Available: Late April
Stock Number HSGS7331
Retail Price $57.99
1/72 Scale Eurofighter Typhoon (Italian/Spanish Air Force)
Field Europe's finest fighter
After thirty years of development, the Eurofighter Typhoon is finally active in Europe's air forces. It's well worth the wait. State-of-the-art pilot voice interaction systems make the Typhoon easier to control than the average fighter while the plane's agility and top speed exceeds that of many fighter jets. Once the Meteor missile's development is finished, the Typhoon will be able to engage any aircraft from beyond visual range.
Kit Features:
- This limited edition kit features decals for:
- Italian A.F. 36th Stormo 10th Gruppo Code: 36-10 Spanish Air Force
- Total Parts: 195
- Skill Level: 3
Available: Late April
Stock Number HSGS2031
Retail Price $57.99
1/72 Scale F-14A Tomcat "VF-211 Fighting Checkmates" – Iraqi Freedom
That's not Santa...
Like many military groups, VF-211 has many traditions. One of those traditions involves painting a rocket-wielding thug in a Santa suit (his name is Brutus) on their planes when the group is deployed over Christmas. The Tomcat's 14,500 lb (6,600 kg) payload ensures that Brutus delivers explosive presents to all the bad boys and girls. When it comes to high-explosive ordinance, it is much better to give than to receive.
FEATURES:
- This limited edition kit features decals for two aircraft:
- U.S. Navy VF-211 "Checkmates" CO Code: AB 101 USS Enterprise 2004
- U.S. Navy VF-211 "Checkmates" CAG Code: AB100 2004
- Total Parts: 191
- Skill Level: 3
Available: Late April
Stock Number HSGS2040
Retail Price $64.99
1/72 Scale Shenyang® J-15 "Chinese Navy" Carrier Fighter
China's fearless "flying shark"
Publicly introduced in 2012, the J-15 is a Chinese carrier-based fighter that's based upon Russia's Sukhoi® Su-33. On the outside, the J-15 closely resembles the Su-33. On the inside, though, lies Chinese-produced weapons and radar. It can travel at speeds up to Mach 2.4, thanks to twin WS-10A afterburning turbofan engines. Armament includes one 150-round 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon, anti-ship or anti-radiation missiles, eight PL-12 or R-77 and four PL-9 or R-73 air-to-air missiles.
Kit Features:
- Yellow plastic molding
- One decal marking option:
- 1. Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy, Code: 552, 553, Chinese Aircraft Carrier Liaoning, Nov. 2012
- Total Parts: 204
- Skill Level: 3
- Limited Edition
Available: Late April
Stock Number HSGS2042
Retail Price $64.99
1/72 Scale SR-71A Blackbird + D21-B Drone
Top secret reconnaissance
The American public was not meant to know that the SR-71 and D21-B existed. They were built by Lockheed Skunk Works to gather intelligence on the Soviets and Chinese. The D21 was one of the first operational UAVs, the drones frequently experienced tech problems that prevented mission completion. SR-71s were very successful. Together they gathered valuable intelligence and pushed the boundaries of aerospace tech.
FEATURES:
- This limited edition kit features parts for a Blackbird and a drone and decals:
- U.S.A.F. SR-71 Code: 17950 with D-21B Code: 507 Experimental A.B. Area 51
- U.S.A.F. SR-71 Code: 06940 Experimental A.B. Area 51
- Total Parts: 51
- Skill Level: 3
Available: Late April
Stock Number HSGS2041
Retail Price $57.99
1/72 Scale Thunderbolt Mk II RAF Two Kit Combo
Command the thunder, call the lightning
Thunderbolts in service during WWII gained the nickname "Jugs" because of their close resemblance to milk bottles. Fortunately for the Allies, the "Jugs" were no milksops. Their eight .50 caliber machine guns were good at taking down the Luftwaffe's juggernauts and their heavy armor let them shatter ground targets with relative impunity. In RAF service, the Thunderbolt brought its guns to bear from Burma to Berlin.
Kit Features:
- This limited edition kit features two complete Thunderbolt kits
- Decals are included for three aircraft:
- Royal Air Force No. 73 OTU: Operational Training Unit Code: KJ348 Spring 1945
- Royal A.F. No.42 SQ. Squadron Leader W.M. Soutter Code: AW-F 1945
- Royal A.F. No.134 SQ Flying Officer N.G. Salter Code: GQ-B 1945
- Total Parts: 36 x 2
- Skill Level: 3
Available: Late April
Stock Number HSGS2033
Retail Price $49.99
1/72 Scale Kawasaki Ki-45KAI HEI Toryu (Nick)
Toryu "Dragon Slayers"
The twin-engine Ki-45 was designed to carry a heavy armament on long-range missions. They were clumsier than single engine fighters, but a 37 mm cannon made them highly effective against bombers. One of the air groups deployed by Japan shot down eight B-29s on its first mission. The Ki-45 took a heavy toll of bombers, ships and men before becoming obsolete as more single-engine fighters arrived with American carriers.
Kit Features:
- This limited edition kit features a Ki-45KAI kit with new propeller and radiator parts
- Decals are for: I.J.A.A.F. Contra-rotating propellers experimental plane
- Total Parts: 77
- Skill Level: 3
Available: Late April
Stock Number HSGS2039
Retail Price $44.99
1/72 Scale Manned Submersible Shinkai 6500
Studying the world four miles beneath the waves
Less is known about the ocean floor than the surface of the moon, the Shinkai 6500 is changing that. This exceptional sub can take three passengers down to slightly over 21,000 feet (6500 meters) down. Once it is at the bottom, powerful lights, cameras and robotic manipulators allow researchers to observe and interact with a piece of the world few will ever see. Build your own sub and imagine exploring the depths of the ocean.
FEATURES:
- This kit features a detailed Shinkai 6500
- New motor and stabilizer parts are included
- Total Parts: 62
- Skill Level: 3
Available: Late April
Stock Number HSGS5403
Retail Price $35.99
1/144 Scale J-Air Embraer 170® Modern Jet Airliner
A brand-new logo for a whole new era
The most compact of all the Embraer E-Jets, the Embraer 170 made its first public appearance in 2002. Today, 175 Embraer 170s currently serve major airlines all around the world, and it's fast becoming one of today's most-requested jet airliners. The new decals for this Japan Air Lines airliner render the company logo in perfect, vivid detail. It's sure to be among the most anticipated aircraft models of the year!
Kit Features:
- One decal marking option:
- 1. J-Air (new logo marking)
- Total Parts: 50
- Skill Level: 3
Available: Late April
Stock Number HSGS1102
Retail Price $42.99
1/200 Scale Air Do Airlines Boeing® 737-700
Flying frequent ferry flights from Hokkaido to Tokyo
Shortly after the deregulation of Japan's commercial aviation industry, Air Do was founded by a handful of investors from Hokkaido, Japan in order to provide lowcost flights to Tokyo. This small airline has a fleet of a dozen aircraft, one of which is the powerful Boeing 737-700. This plane carries 144 passengers on flights from Japan's northern island, Hokkaido, to Tokyo and other large urban destinations.
Kit Features:
- Two decal marking options:
- 1. Air Do (new design), Code: JA01AN, Oct. 28, 2012
- 2. Air Do, Code: JA11AN, February 2013
- Total Parts: 47
- Skill Level: 3
Available: Late April
Stock Number HSGS0742
Retail Price $29.99
1/12 Scale Capsule Toy Machine
All the gum balls and gewgaws you can grab
Your 1/12 scale figure's lives are incomplete. Where are their gumballs, their temporary tattoos, their cheap plastic toys and their shiny faux-gold bling with high-quality imitation diamonds? In this Capsule Toy Machine, that's where. Put this set in your scene and your figures will never lack for pulp-paper trading cards, bouncy balls or stretchy aliens. This set is a must-have for anyone modeling a public 1/12 scale scene.
FEATURES:
- This kit features two snap-fit capsule toy machines
- All pieces are moldged in color, no painting or gluing required!
- Total Parts: 44
- Skill Level: 3
Available: Late April
Stock Number HSGS6205
Retail Price $17.99