MPM 1:72 NAKAJIMA "KIKKA"
'INBOX Review'

 

Reviewer: Myself  (smakr@bigpond.com)
A fully built review of this kit appears on SMAKR, see links below

Kit:  Hasegawa No.00242 - B12:800 1/72 F9F-2 Panther

Aircraft:  The Panther was the first jet fighter to be produced by Grumman and was also the first Carrier-Borne Navy jet fighter to partake in combat.  The Panthers were utilised effectively in the Korean conflict, providing air support to US Combat troops.


Alternative boxart, I believe from older releases

Parts: Two sprues of 46 light grey injection molded parts come in the usual Hasegawan cellophane bag with a separate bag containing the decal sheet and sprue of two clear parts.

Instructions: Again, the standard Hasagawan fold out offering with 8 assembly steps, short history, sprue part diagram, four view marking drawings and colour call outs from the Mr.Color and Gunze Sangyo ranges.  Inset diagrams are also provided for canopy (open/closed) and exhaust/tail-hook positioning.  Everything is easy to follow and Hasegawa also let you know what to paint certain parts depending on which version you are doing (eg: blue gear doors for VF-781 version or white gear doors for ATU-206 version.... and so on). 

Versions:  Two - as already alluded to in the paragraph above.  The boxart VF-781 US Navy version in overall Midnight Blue scheme or the ATU-206 US Navy example in the upper light grey, lower white scheme common to many US Navy aircraft from 50's onwards.


The first released boxart of the Hasegawa Panther

Decals:  An adequate amount of stencilling and no problems with the colour register and I am sure they will go on to the model well, based on previous experience with Hasegawan decals. They are semi gloss finish and the red bands for the VF-781 version should look striking against the dark navy/midnight blue background!  Only the stars and bars (ie: no navy blue outline or circle) is provided for this version also, as well as white lettering and serials. The light grey/white ATU-206 contains the normal US insignia (with the blue stuff!) plus black lettering.  Decals for instrument panel and side consoles are also provided.

Detail:  Panel lines are recessed but very finely and it took me a while to work out whether they were engraved or raised! Everything receives the usual Hasegawan attention to detail which is quite reasonable everywhere - bar the cockpit, which includes a basic seat, instrument panel (with no console detail other than a decal), pilot figure, stick and cockpit tub.

Options:  There are a few things one can decide on this kit other than the versions and wheels up or down.  A pilot figure is included in the kit. Decals have been provided for the side and main instrument consoles.  Canopy is two piece so can be displayed open.  Airbrakes are positionable but unfortunately the tail-hook is not.  Three rockets are provided on three pylons (as depicted in the boxart above) under each wing respectively as the only stores the kit provides.

Impressions:  This is one of those kits that has always been on my long term shopping list and from all reports the kit is both generally accurate and easy to build.  I didn't even bother separating the parts for test fitting, I am pretty confident there won't be any problems!  The breakdown of the kit is very logical and looks like a fairly quick and easy project.

The fuselage halves both come complete with tailfin and are split vertically, which encases the sparse cockpit tub, tailhook, exhaust tube and of course nose weight (3g quoted).  If you wish to include the stores on the kit you will need to drill out the holes in the single underwing piece on both sides, and the upper halves attach to this before being placed in the belly of the aircraft.  The nose has the four cannons already molded, something I am not entirely keen on.  Actuating struts are provided for the airbrakes to be displayed open.  Everything looks fine in the box and as always looking forward to getting stuck into this project!!

 

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From Hasegawa's catalogue - a publicity pose