Thursday, April 3, 2014

Night Fighter and Warhawk



Hasegawa Hobby Kits' 1:48 Scale Kyushu J7W2-S Interceptor Fighter Shinden Kai Limited Edition model is a recreation of the Watanabe's Wacky Warbird prototype meant to be used by the Japanese during WWII.
 
This unconventional aircraft was meant to be highly maneuverable and fast flying at high altitudes rendering it practically unstoppable by the Allied Forces.

Fortunately the aircraft never made it past the prototype stage.  If it had been successfully manufactured its twin 30mm nose cannons would have made it a murderous predator of the skies and it may have very well turned the tide of the war.

The single pilot aircraft is shorter and lighter than conventional aircraft of the time.  Small maneuverable stabilizing wings were placed on the front allowing easy targeting by the pilot of its cannon.  The propeller was placed behind the fuselage and twin wings with vertical stabilizing tailfins gave the aircraft an easily recognizable silhouette.

Additional weapons were rockets launched from beneath and an auxiliary fuel take also located below the aircraft.  A crude radar detection device was also to be included.

The Imperial Navy ordered the manufacture of the aircraft, but too late-the war was over in mere days.

The model kit consists of eight part trees with easily detachable parts with little or no flashing, two decal sets: one Japanese, one German and extensive instructions on assembly, paint application and decal adherence.

Another deadly warbird of WWII was the American P-40E Warhawk "Flying Tigers. Hasegawa Hobby Kits' 1;72 Scale Combo" (2 kits) Limited Edition model kit recreates not one, but two, of the deadly aerial predators.

The P-40E Warhawks were in service the entire duration of WWII.  Some versions carried larger ordinance and engines but all were deadly (especially in numbers) even though their speed and maneuverability was lacking as compared to other contemporary war aircraft.

The model kit contains parts for two Warhawks, two sets of decals and as with all Hasegawa Hobby Kits the Warhawk models are easy to assemble using the enclosed instructions and feature tight fitting parts, detailed decals and the models are packed with interior and exterior details right down to the weapons, landing gear, tanks, propellers and wing assemblies.