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Platz 1/72 T-33 "Spirit of Seventy-Six"

By Matt Bittner

Introduction

Most squadrons through out history have been known to keep a "hack" or two around. Hacks are those machines that are used for different purposes within the squadron, like transportation, help in keeping flier proficient and up on their flying-hours, etc. Some hacks are left-overs, and can sometimes be an older machine that would have gone to the bone-yard anyway. Then there are other hacks that are taken care of, and during different times in the hacks' lives, given new paint jobs and "face lifts".

Such is the case with the aircraft catered for in this release from Platz.

The Kit

Since I've already provided a First Look on the first release of the Platz 1/72 T-33, I will let you read that article yourself. Just be aware there are 58 pieces of grey, injected plastic and one clear, injected canopy contained within the kit. The decals, superbly printed by Cartograf, are printed with such vibrant colors and in register, that finishing this kit using the kit decals is a must. They're that nice.

The markings are for a T-33A that flew - according to the instructions - with the 5041st Tactical Operations Squadron in Elmendorf, Alaska, and was painted to commemerate the bicentennial of the United States of America back in 1976.

Conclusion

The Platz T-33 is still considered the best T-33 in 1/72 scale. This one takes that best and "ups it" with a very colorful and superbly printed decal sheet for a special machine. If you haven't yet, and you're interested in the early U.S. jets, then by all means do yourself a favor and buy this superb kit.

Our thanks to Platz for sending the kit to review.