Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Tomcat, Draken, Skyraider, Dog, And JABO



Hasegawa Hobby Kits has just released five new Limited Edition plastic aircraft model kits: four 1:72 Scale and one 1:32 Scale.  All require upper level model making skills that includes glue, paint and decal application.  

Not to worry though because each model includes easy-to-read and easy-to-understand instructions that include historical text about each aircraft and step-by-step numerical assembly, paint and decal instructions.

Ironically one of the United States current enemies was once an allie nearly 40 years ago.  The Iranians needed fighter jets in 1976 and the United States supplied them 80 F-14A Tomcat aircraft.

The  F-14 can carry up to 6 AIM-54 Phoenix Missiles and a 20 mm Vulcan Gatling-type cannon. The super-sonic twin-engine fighters have proved to be reliable, versatile and deadly fighters. 
Their sleek aerodynamic extended fuselage design lets them slice through the air and with their formidable weaponry warn that enemy aircraft or ground forces best beware.  Still in use today the F-14s are the backbone of the Iranian Air Force.

Two decal configurations are available.

Sweden's eye in the sky: the RF-35 Draken Recon Draken aircraft were originally intended for Sweden but soon became available to other countries including the Royal Danish Air Force.
The distinctive double-delta wings of RF-35 were modified for reconnaissance and still serve the Danes with distinction.  Two decal options are available.

The  AD-6 Skyraider VA-65 Tigers reliability, endurance and ability to carry up to 8,000 pounds of bombs served to keep the prop aircraft in service up until 1972.

Used heavily during the Korean and Vietnam Wars the Skyraiders were the workhorses of the air and proved to be formidable in every fight. Two decal options are included.

Their bite was every bit as bad as their bark proved to be true with the F-86D Sabre Dog Shark Teeth fighter jets.  With their distinctive tiger teeth fuselages paint scheme the Sabre Dog interceptor-style fighters were heavier, faster and much more deadly than their smaller F-86 cousins.

Each carried 24 2.75 in (70mm) rockets in a closeable ventral tray along with stand armament and weapons.  Two decal versions are available.

The 1/32 Scale Messerschmitt BF109F-4/B Jabo model captures the ferocity of its namesake Nazi war machine.

The BF 109F-4/B. The F-4/B series carried machine guns in its fuselage along with light bomb loads under its wings. 

"Jabo" units squadrons were used to attack ground forces.  

Heavily armed and armored the tri-propeller killer was trimmed in yellow, sported a square edge canopy and was responsible for hundreds of Allied Forces kills.

Three decal options are available.