Hasegawa Kawasaki C-1 and C-1SKE - Hasegawa (10698) 1:200 scale

[bootneck]

Kawasaki C-1

 

Hasegawa 1:200

 

The Kawasaki C-1 is a twin-engine cargo/transport aircraft built solely in Japan for the Japanese Air Self Defence Force (JASDF).

 

The Japanese were still using outdated World War Two era Curtiss C-46 Commando transports as late as the mid-1960's and a replacement was needed to modernise the Japanese air force's airlift capability. A new aircraft requirement was issued to the major aircraft building companies and a consortium came forward with designs for a modern, short-range military cargo/transporter; which would also have the capability for air drops by having wide cargo doors. The consortium was the Nihon Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation (NAMC), consisting of Mitsubishi, Fuji, Shinmeiwa and Kawasaki aircraft building companies. The final design was given to Kawasaki as the main contractor; with the other companies supplying various major components, to supply two prototype aircraft and one static test airframe. The two prototypes were designated the XC-1 and first flew in November 1970

 

The first operational aircraft entered service with the JASDF in 1972 and a total of 31 aircraft were constructed as the C-1. Of these, four have been lost (ser: 58-1009, 68-1015, 58-1010 and 88-1027) and one has been converted to an AEW/ELINT (ser 78-1021) and is currently in use as to train EW crew.

 

Some, if not all of the C-1's had an upgraded avionics set fitted (SKE fit) which was a rectangular unit with a small radome added above the cockpit immediately in front of the front of the wing (see box image above). The SKE provided all-weather navigation capability and enhanced accurate cargo-drop and parachuting.

 

A further test aircraft, designated C-1FTB, was produced to provide Short Take-Off and Landing facilities (STOL) and this had four over-wing engines fitted.

 

The Kit(s)

 

This is a re-release of a 1990's issue but Hasegawa has produced this model as a "Combo" set, and consists of two kits of the C-1 Transport. At 1:200 scale 'The One True Scale' (TOTS), this is a diminutive model with the length only measuring 145mm (5.6in) however the detailing is nicely defined as the image of the sprue below shows. Panel lines are nicely engraved, almost discretely due to the model size, but this detail may possibly get lost if the kit is brush painted, especially if a primer is also applied.

An interesting feature is that the nosewheel doors are integral to the fuselage piece and moulded in the open position. Any build to be finished as an in-flight version would need these to be removed and a piece of plastic sheet fitted. I can understand the logic here though as most aircraft tend to be built wheels down plus such small (tiny) parts could get lost or damaged if they were separate components.

 

Two variants can be built from the kit, a C1 and a C-1SKE; the latter by fitting the small rectangular part in the lower left of the sprue below. the real thing has a lowering cargo bay ramp, plus two clamshell doors to provide the wide access/egress of the plane but these are all one part on the fuselage. Any requirement to have these open in a loading scenario would require a fair amount of cutting and the scratchbuilding of a new ramp and clamshell doors.

The next sprue, or sprues as there are two identical sets, contain the engines, engine holding braces, the main and nose wheels. There are also turbofan blades which fit in the front of the engine openings and they look quite detailed for such small items.

This is a small kit so there aren't many parts, 44 grey and 1 clear canopy. There are window openings in the fuselage sides but the kit does not come with any clear parts for them. A suitable clear glue/fill medium could possibly be used to represent the glass section.

 

 

The decal sheet is very nicely produced and is quite full of, mostly, serials. Of the 31 Kawasaki C1's produced there are 25 complete sets of serials available on the sheet. Considering that 4 aircraft were lost and one converted to the EC-1 then I think there are enough serials two make any of the remaining flying airframes.

 

A special set of decals is included which represents aircraft of 402 Hakkai (Squadron) for their 50th Anniversary, an example being 10-1007 as shown on the box art above.

 

There are also 7 sets of squadron tail emblems, although the C-1's were only allocated to 402Sqn, at Iruma, and 403Sqn, at Miho, and these are decals number 29 for 402Sqn and 39 (or 31) for 403Sqn on the sheet below.

 

Also adorning this packed decal sheet, remember how small this kit is, are walkway markings, Hinomaru's (red disk, national markings), fuel points, rescue/warning symbols etc., etc. A very comprehensive set indeed.

 

 

Conclusion

Although this is a very small model, or two of them, the detail appears to be very detailed an crisp. The instruction sheet is in international picture-view layout and is comprehensive, however the sheet is quite small and it can be difficult to identify exactly where the placement of decals should be. I would recommend scanning or photocopying the instructions to a more viewable size for this. The build is quite simplistic and shouldn't be an issue and I would think the best part will be to apply the intricate 3-tone camouflage patterns, depending on which formation and era you choose to build them. I plan to build an early C-1 plus a later C-1SKE.

These are nice kits and they are attracting me to other models in 1:200, if they are as good as these.

Highly recommended to those who find pleasure in building and collecting small scale model aircraft.
 

Review sample courtesy of

UK distributors for

.