Internet Modeler : Columns : Industry News RSS News Feed

Hasegawa Press Release: June 2011 Releases

By Chris Banyai-Riepl

HASAGAWA RECREATES JAPAN'S ANSWER TO THE F6F HELLCAT!

Mitsubishi created the A6M5 Type 0 Model 52 in response to the firepower and speed of the Allies' F6F Hellcat and F4U Corsair. Featuring a top speed of 340 mph (540 km/h), the A6M5 could reach an impressive altitude of 26,250 feet (8,000 m) in just 9 minutes and 57 seconds! Hasegawa has faithfully reproduced this high-flying "Early Version" fighter in a limited edition, 1/48 scale kit.

This Limited Edition kit features new cowling parts, as well as two marking options:

I.J.N. 204th N.F.G., Code: 9-109 Rabaul, January 1944I.J.N. 204th N.F.G., Code: 9-151 Rabaul, 1943

A total of 70 parts comprises the A6M5 Zero kit and it holds a skill level of 3.

HSGS9948      1/48 Mitsubishi A6M5 Type 52          Retail: $41.99  Street: $37.99

The Hasegawa 1/48 Mitsubishi A6M5 Type 52 will be available late May.

1/144 SCALE EMBRAER 170® "DEMONSTRATOR" THE BRAZILIAN BEHEMOTH BECKONS!

The Embraer 170 took its historic first flight on February 19, 2002. Three months later, it was unveiled at Europe's prestigious Regional Airline Association convention. Here, the 170 became an instant hit with airlines from all over the world. Hundreds of orders were placed, even though the 170 didn't earn its certification for another two years! Today, 180 Embraer 170s are in service with such major carriers as Republic Airlines® and Australia's Virgin® Blue. Hasegawa is pleased to introduce a limited edition, 1/144 scale kit of this celebrated commercial airliner.

This Limited Edition kit features two marking options:

Demonstrator, Code: PP-XJA Demonstrator, Code: PP-XJF

There are 50 total parts in the Embraer 170. The skill level is 3.

HSGS0681      10681 1/144 Embraer 170       Retail: $39.99  Street: $36.99

The Limited Edition 1/144 Embraer 170 will be available late June.

COMBAT READY IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE

The F-4 Phantom II celebrated its first flight over 50 years ago, yet it remains one of the world's fastest fighters. The U.S. Navy's VF-151 and U.S. Marine Corps' VMFA-115 were among the first squadrons equipped with F-4B Phantom IIs in 1964. Both benefited from the F-4B's all-out speeds and high-altitude performance during the Vietnam War. VF-111 reaped these rewards as well after transitioning to the upgraded F-4N in the mid-1970s. By the mid-1980s, all three squadrons started to phase out the Phantom II. VF-151's final flight in March, 1986 marked the last-ever Phantom II launch from an aircraft carrier. Hasegawa has reproduced this high-flying favorite in a 1/72 scale kit that offers plenty of exquisite detail and multiple marking options!

Did you know?

Almost 5,200 Phantom IIs were built from 1958-1981, making it the most produced U.S. supersonic aircraft!The Phantom II set a total of 16 speed and altitude world records. Five speed records went unchallenged until the F-15 Eagle was introduced in 1975.The Phantom II's "Spook" emblem, which was originally designed for shoulder patches, has since appeared on virtually every kind of merchandise imaginable.

This highly detailed kit lets you recreate the early F-4B, or the upgraded F-4N. Marking options include:

F-4N: U.S.S. Roosevelt VF-111 "Sundowners," CAG NM200F-4B: U.S.S. Midway VF-151 "Vigilantes," CAG NF200F-4B: VMFA-115 "Silver Eagles," VE10

The 1/72 F-4BN Phantom II contains 114 total parts with a skill level of 3.

HSGS1566      01566 1/72 F-4B/N Phantom II          Retail: $41.99  Street: $37.99

The Hasegawa F-4B/N Phantom II will be available late June.

ONE OF HISTORY'S MOST UNIQUE AIRCRAFT NOW REPRODUCED BY HASEGAWA

After much consideration, Japan chose the McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantom II to be the country's newest fighter in November 1968. Japan was one of the very few countries outside the U.S. that could produce Phantom IIs under license. Built by Mitsubishi®, the subsequent F-4EJ Kai upgrade was delivered to the J.A.S.D.F. in November 1989. It featured updated electronics, including an improved central computer, AN/APG-66J pulse Doppler radar and the J/APR-6 homing and warning system.

Modelers looking for a unique building project will find that the Hasegawa 1/72 scale F-4EJ Kai is the kit they've been searching for! Includes three marking options:

J.A.S.D.F. 83rd AG 302nd SQ., Code: 414, Naha A.B.J.A.S.D.F. 6th AW 306th SQ., Code: 416, Komatsu A.B.J.A.S.D.F. 5th AW 301st SQ., Code 417, Nyutabaru A.B.

Did you know?

Although Mitsubishi produced over 150 F-4EJ Kai Phantom IIs, only 90 are currently believed to be in active service.Visitors to Okinawa's Kadena Air Base are greeted by a single F-4 aircraft as they drive in from the main gate.The J.A.S.D.F. 306th Squadron was the first to fly the upgraded F-4EJ Kai in 1989.  Seven more squadrons soon followed.

A total of 117 parts comprise the F-4EJ Kai Phantom II kit and it features a skill level of 3.

HSGS1567      01567 1/72 F-4EJ Kai Phantom II      Retail: $41.99  Street: $37.99

IMAGES OF CHERRY BLOSSOMS IN THE WIND with the 1/72 F-14D TOMCAT ACE COMBAT®

Although the F-14 Tomcat was retired by the U.S. Navy in September 2006, it remains as one of the world's most famous modern aircraft. Equipped with twin GE® F110-400 engines, upgraded digital avionics systems and an Airborne Self-Protection Jammer system, many consider the final "D" variant to be the definitive F-14 Tomcat.

The Hasegawa 1/72 F-14D Tomcat "Ace Combat: Cherry Blossom" kit re-imagines the celebrated fighter for combat aces of all ages to enjoy!

This Limited Edition kit features distinctive purple plastic molding and licensed markings representing a "Cherry Blossom" trim scheme from the best-selling "Ace Combat 6" flight simulator by Bandai Namco®.

HSGS1991      51991 1/72 F-14D Tomcat "Cherry Blossom"           Retail: $69.99  Street: $64.99

The Limited Edition F-14D "Cherry Blossom" kit will be available mid-June.

MESSERSCHMITT Me 163B KOMET "EKdo 16" WOLFGANG SPÄTE'S SIGNATURE AIRCRAFT

After flying Bf 109s with JG 54, Major Wolfgang Späte headed a testing program for the rocket-powered Me 163 Komet. Späte's Komet had a distinctive red paint scheme which resembled the Red Baron's famous Fokker Dr. I. While other pilots would have been flattered by the comparison, Späte personally thought it was too ostentatious. Hasegawa has reproduced Wolfgang Späte's signature aircraft in a must-own, limited edition 1/32 scale kit.

This Limited Edition kit features new tail fuselage teardrop-type cover parts (left and right) and the following marking options:

Luftwaffe EKdo 16, Hauptmann Wolfgang Späte, Code: PK & QL, May 1944.

There are a total of 61 parts in the Messerschmitt Me 163B Komet and it has a skill level of 3.

HSGS8213      08213 1/32 Messerschmitt Me 163B Komet      Retail: $49.99  Street: $44.99

The Hasegawa Me 163B Komet will be available late May.

1/72 SCALE REPLICAS OF FRANCE'S MOST FAMOUS WWII FIGHTERS

Hasegawa is proud to introduce the 1/72 Morane-Saulnier M.S. 406 & Dewoitine D.520 "Battle of France" Kit Combo – two kits in one!  The low-wing M.S. 406 monoplane was the most important French fighter of its era. However, the D.520 was better equipped to fight against Messerschmitt Bf 109s.

Each kit features two marking options

M.S. 406:

1. French A.F. GC III/1 2 Escadrille, Code: 27 (L801) s/n 772, France, May 1940

2. French A.F. GC 1/2 2 Escadrille, Code: 9 (N869) s/n 451, France, May 1940.

D.520:

1. French A.F. GC 1/3 2 Escadrille, Code: 10 s/n 73, France, April 1940

2. French A.F. Special Defense Escadrille, Code: 5 s/n 79, France, May 1940.

This Limited Edition Kit Combo includes two kits with 36 parts each and has a skill level of 3.

HSGS1941      01941 1/72 M.S.406 & D.520 Combo            Retail: $47.99  Street: $42.99

The Limited Edition M.S. 406 & D.520 Kit Combo will be available early June.

HASEGAWA 1/48 SCALE P-51D MUSTANG "TUSKEGEE AIRMEN"

Composed primarily of pilots from the celebrated Tuskegee Airmen, the 332nd Fighter Group had one of WWII's most impressive combat records. The Allies gave them the nickname, "Red-Tail Angels," because the tails on their P-51 Mustangs were distinctively painted in crimson. The unit received a Distinguished Unit Citation in March 1945 for successfully completing the longest bomber escort mission of WWII. The Tuskegee Airmen were also recipients of more than 850 medals, including: 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 8 Purple Hearts, 14 Bronze Stars, 744 Air Medals and Clusters and 3 Distinguished Unit Citations.

This Limited Edition kit features two marking options:

U.S.A.A.F. 332FG/15AF, 99FS, Code: A13 Italy, November 1944U.S.A.A.F. 332FG/15AF, 301FS, Lt. Charles White, Code: 42 Italy, January 1945

There are a total of 118 parts in the 1/48 scale P-51D Mustang "Tuskegee Airmen" kit, which has a skill level of 3.

HSGS9947      09947 1/48 P-51D Mustang "Tuskegee Airmen"   Retail: $41.99  Street: $37.99

The Hasegawa P-51D Mustang Tuskegee Airmen will be available late May.

READY FOR INTERGALACTIC BATTLE!

Introducing the 1/35 Scale P.K.A. Ausf. G GUSTAV Kit Combo! This unique spacesuit set marks the fifth exciting entry in our popular "Maschinen Krieger" line.

As featured in the best-selling magazine, "Hobby Japan," the sci-fi series "Maschinen Krieger ZbV 3000" was created by the artist Kow Yokoyama in the early 1980s. The series was inspired by armor and aircraft from both World Wars, as well as films such as "Blade Runner" and "Star Wars®". "Maschinen Krieger" continues to have a devoted cult following today, thanks to its celebrated return to "Hobby Japan" magazine in 2009.

This Limited Edition Kit Combo contains 67 parts per kit and has a skill level of 3.

HSGS4102 64102 1/35 PKA Ausf. G GUSTAV Limited Edition  Retail: $29.99  Street: $26.99

The Hasegawa P.K.A. Ausf. G GUSTAV Kit Combo will be released in late June.

POWERED ARMOR SUITS TO COMPLETE THE MASCHINEN KRIEGER ZbV 3000 COLLECTION!

Kow Yokoyama drew upon his love of WWII aircraft and American sci-fi to create his celebrated cult favorite, "Maschinen Krieger ZbV 3000." Among his most interesting designs are his Powered Armor Suits, which are similar to those found in the popular comic book "Iron Man®" and Robert Heinlein's classic 1959 novel "Starship Troopers." Today, Yokoyama's comic continues to draw in new readers, thanks to exciting stories and universal appeal. Hasegawa has replicated Yokoyama's distinctive PKA Ausf. M MELUSINE Powered Armor Suits in 1/35 scale to complete the "Maschinen Krieger ZbV 3000" collection.

This Limited Edition kit combo features markings for the Strahl Defence Force. This set features a total of 49 pieces per kit and a skill level of 3.

HSGS4103      64103 1/35 PKA MELUSINE Combo          Retail: $29.99  Street: $26.99

DESTINED FOR GRAND PRIX GREATNESS!

The 2007 MotoGP season was marked by several notable changes. For the previous five seasons, riders could race bikes up to 990 cc. In 2007, riders were restricted to smaller 800 cc bikes, which offer superior braking and handling. Teams were also limited to 31 tires per race weekend per rider. Pressure from sponsors and riders resulted in an increase of nine additional tires later in the season. Repsol Honda racer Julian Simon (#60) scored 123 points in 2007, placing 9th. Shuhei Aoyama (#73), also on the team, earned his first-ever pole position during a race at Motegi. Overall, the Honda team earned 313 points, finishing 2nd (just behind Ducati®).

The Limited Edition Hasegawa 1/12 Scale Repsol® Honda® RS250RW "2007 WGP 250" kit features many newly tooled parts. MotoGP fans will marvel at the level of detail! Includes a seat pad, a rear swing arm, a tank pad and rear fender parts. 145 total parts comprise this kit, which carries a skill level of 3.

The Repsol Honda kit includes two marking options:

2007 WGP 250, number 73 rider: Shuhei Aoyama2007 WGP 250, number 60 rider: Julian Simon

HSGS1701      21701 1/12 Repsol Honda Ltd.          Retail: $59.99  Street: $54.99

NINE JOINT DIRECT ATTACK MUNITIONS AND TARGETING PODS FROM HASEGAWA

The Hasegawa 1/72 Scale U.S. Aircraft Weapons Assortment IX features a wide range of weapons to support multiple roles in modern warfare. One such weapon, the Israeli-designed AN/AAQ-28 LITENING targeting pod, has been used by numerous U.S. combat aircraft. Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs), like GBU-31 and GBU-38, help convert unguided bombs into all-weather "smart" bombs.

The kit assortment features nine newly tooled U.S. aircraft weapons, including the AN/AAQ-28 LITENING AT, the AN/AAQ-33 SNIPER XR, the GBU-31 (V) 3, the GBU-38 and AN/AAQ-13. Decals and painting options included.

This kit contains 81 total parts and a skill level of 3.

HSGS3514      35114 1/72 U.S. Aircraft Weapons Asst. IX    Retail: $13.99  Street: $12.99

The Hasegawa 1/72 Aircraft Weapons Assortment will be available late June.

Visit the Hasegawa USA website for more information on these and other Hasegawa kits.