Hasegawa Press Release: Upcoming Hasegawa Releases
By Chris Banyai-Riepl
1/48 "Eien No Zero" A6M2b Zero Combo
Two ways to build "The Eternal Zero."
Naoki Hyakuta's novel, "Eien No Zero" centers on the lives of WWII Japan's Zero pilots. There's no doubt that this bestseller's popularity will continue to grow with TV Tokyo's 2015 miniseries!
Kit Combo Features:
Two A6M2b Zero kits
Four marking options:
- IJN 721st NFG, Code: 721-37, Kyuzo Miyabe, Kanoya AB, Aug. 1945
- IJN Tainan NFG, Code: V-125, Kyuzo Miyabe, Rabaul AB, summer-autumn 1942
- IJN Carrier Akagi, Code: AI-116, Kyuzo Miyabe, December 1941
- IJN 204th NFG, Code: 9-141, Kyuzo Miyabe, Rabaul AB, autumn 1943
Total Parts (Per Kit): 46
Skill Level: 3
Available: March
Stock Number HSGS5227
Retail Price $39.99
1/48 "Eien No Zero" A6M5 Zero Type 52
A classic warbird. A modern miniseries.
In 2014, the controversial World War II drama "Eien No Zero" (or "The Eternal Zero") grossed about 7 billion yen during its seven-week theatrical run. It's no surprise that it is being adapted into a three-part television miniseries. It is reported the program will feature sequences from Naoki Hyakuta's original novel that weren't included in the film.
Kit Features:
Two marking options:
- IJN Carrier Zuikakau, Code: 312-73, Pilot: Kyuzo Miyabe, early 1944
- IJN 721st NFG, Code: 721-51, Pilot: Kyuzo Miyabe, Kanoya AB, Aug. 1945
Total Parts: 71
Skill Level: 3
Available: March
Stock Number HSGS5226
Retail Price $39.99
1/48 "Shindenkai No Maki" A6M2b Zero
Takeshi Nogami's craziest creation.
Manga and anime enthusiasts all over the world are familiar with writer Takeshi Nogami's crazy creations. His craziest one yet is "Shindenkai No Maki," which features high school girls piloting World War II's most famous aircraft – including the Mitsubishi® A6M2b Zero – in dogfights to the death. Whether you're a manga fan or a warbird buff, this unique kit has something for everyone.
Kit Features:
Design based on Takeshi Nogami's popular manga, "Shindenkai No Maki"
Markings representing pilot Miyabi Amakasu, Ishigami Girls High School
Total Parts: 69
Skill Level: 3
Available: March
Stock Number HSGS4719
Retail Price $39.99
1/48 F-4EJ Phantom II "Air Superiority Camouflage"
Over the opposition
The F-4 Phantom II is a big, exceptionally fast and incredibly lethal fighter in service since the early sixties. The EJ variant is a model retrofitted to a purely air superiority role for the JASDF. Throughout its career, the Phantom II set several world records, chalked up air to air kills, destroyed ground targets, and conducted vital aerial reconnaissance. With the JASDF, the Phantom II has rarely had to exhibit its characteristic might but its flight records are impressive.
Kit Features:
Total Parts: 132
Skill Level: 3
Available: March
Stock Number HSGS7396
Retail Price $57.99
1/48 F-16C Fighting Falcon "Black Knights"
Republic of Singapore Air Force standouts
The Republic of Singapore Air Force is unlike the Air Force of any other nation. The aircraft of the RSAF can cross the entire landmass of their nation in just thirteen minutes. Without the benefit of large maneuvering areas, any attack on Singapore or its airspace has to be shut down immediately or the war is lost. Possibly because of that fact, Singapore maintains one of the most highly trained and well equipped militaries in the world.
Kit Features:
New antenna parts and decals for the RSAF aerobatic team.
Total Parts: 121
Skill Level: 3
Available: March
Stock Number HSGS7395
Retail Price $49.99
1/72 Su-35 Flanker Prototype
Fitting further features to the 'Flanker'
Technically, the Su-35 is just a modified Su-27. But since the Su-35 is loaded with improved avionics, vectored thrust engines, additional hardpoints for weapons and more, it's practically a whole new airplane. Its Mach 2.25 speed and over 17,000 lbs (8,000 kg) of ordnance capacity is extremely impressive. Even with all its impressive performance, the Su-35 is only intended as a stopgap for until Russia's fifth generation fighter is released.
Kit Features:
New upper fuselage parts with larger size pitot tube
Two marking options:
- Russian AF Code: 901
- Russian AF Code: 902
Total Parts: 299
Skill Level: 3
Available: March
Stock Number HSGS2134
Retail Price $49.99
1/72 F-15J Eagle "JASDF 60th Ann."
Celebrating the JASDF's 60th birthday.
With over 100 victories and no losses in air-to-air combat, the F-15 Eagle has ruled the skies since the late 1970s. In Japan, 139 F-15J aircraft were produced by Mitsubishi® for JASDF service. To celebrate the JASDF's six decades of service, select F-15Js were decorated with a special 60th anniversary livery in 2014.
Kit Features:
One marking option: JASDF 6th AW, 306th Sq., JASDF 60th Anniv. special marking, Code: 960 (72-8960), Komatsu AB, July 2014
Total Parts: 138
Skill Level: 3
Available: March
Stock Number HSGS2139
Retail Price $42.99
1/32 Kawanishi N1K2-J (George) "Prototype No. 6"
Flying with the rising sun
With the N1K2-J, Kawanishi did the impossible; turning a float plane into a dogfighter that could stand up to the best America had to offer. "George" fighters were quite capable of shooting down Hellcats, Corsairs and, in the hands of expert pilots, even the vaunted B-29 Superfortress. In larger numbers the N1K2-J could have had a massive effect on the war, but only 428 were built. By comparison 12,000 Corsairs, comparable to the N1K2-J, were produced by the U.S.
Kit Features:
Total Parts: 148
Skill Level: 3
Available: March
Stock Number HSGS8240
Retail Price $69.99
1/12 Yamaha YZR500 (0WA8) "Marlboro 1989"
A world-class bike for a World Champion.
From 1973-2002, the Yamaha YZR500 led four 500 cc Grand Prix riders to ten separate world championships. One of the most famous riders to take the helm of the YZR500 was former World Champion Freddie Spencer. In the 1989 season, Spencer placed sixteenth with the Marlboro Agostini Yamaha team, scoring 33.5 points overall.
Kit Features:
New carbon disc, chamber and front fender parts
One marking option: Marlboro Yamaha Team, 1989 WGP500, 16th place, no. 19 rider: Freddie Spencer
Total Parts: 170
Skill Level: 3
Available: March
Stock Number HSGS1712
Retail Price $59.99
1/700 IJN Heavy Cruiser Aoba Full Hull
Sail the indomitable Aoba
Despite being hit with naval gunnery, strafed, bombed, torpedoed, and colliding with another warship, the Japanese Heavy Cruiser Aoba put up a fight until the day it was finally, irrevocably sunk. Along the way, Aoba participated in some of the most famous conflicts of the war—at Guam, Wake, Guadalcanal, and Coral Sea—plus countless smaller convoy escort missions. Now, Hasegawa is offering an elegant, full-hull version of this mighty warship.
Kit Features:
New hull, rudder, screw shaft, propeller, gun barrels, and display stand plus full decals.
Total Parts:
Skill Level: 3
Available: March
Stock Number HSGS3166
Retail Price $69.99
1/700 IJN Heavy Cruiser Furutaka Full Hull
The full measure of Furutaka
In the chaotically confused battle of Cape Esperance, a group of Japanese warships, including the Furutaka, ran into American warships in the darkness. In the ensuing combat, both commanders thought their ships were firing on friendlies and both were, in part, correct. Furutaka sustained over ninety direct gunnery hits and one torpedo hit. Despite horrific damage, Furutaka was able to limp out of the melee under its own power, saving most of the crew.
Kit Features:
New hull, rudder, screw shaft, propeller, gun barrels, and display stand plus full decals.
Total Parts:
Skill Level: 3
Available: March
Stock Number HSGS3165
Retail Price $69.99
Egg Plane T-4 JASDF 60th Anniversary Combo (2 kits)
From flightless to fighter pilots
For five dozen years the JASDF flock has defended the airspace above their roosts in Japan. For much of that thyme, emerging pilots have been at the drumstick of the T-4. The trainer has been turning feckless flappers into fighter pilots for 219,000 flips of the egg timer (since 1985). It's no spring chicken, but it's still the cock of the walk. Even the Blue Impulse aerobatic team hand pecked the T-4 as their Grade-A bird. If you're boiling to scramble a whole squadron of big, bold birds, build this brace of beauties!
Kit Features:
Two egg plane models of the T-4 with markings for:
- JASDF 1AW 31TSQ, JASDF 60th anniversary special marking Code: 778 (96-5778), Hamamatsu AB, September 2014.
- JASDF 1AW 32TSQ, JASDF 60th anniversary special marking Code: 612 (86-5612), Hamamatsu AB, September 2014.
Total Parts (Per Kit): 35 x 2
Skill Level: 1
Available: March
Stock Number HSGS6059
Retail Price $32.99
Visit the Hasegawa USA website for more information on these and other upcoming releases.