Fuji T-1A/B "Old fashion" - Hasegawa 1:72 - Double Boxing Limited Edition

[Julien]

Fuji T-1A/B "Old fashion"

Hasegawa 1:72 - Double Boxing Limited Edition.

The Fuji T-1 has the distinction of being Japans first indigenous jet powered training aircraft. Fuji Heavy Industries is a major Japanese corporation better known now for its Subaru vehicles. Its roots trace back to the Nakajima Aircraft Company which was broken up post WWII. They are still heavily involved in Aerospace.

The T-1 was developed as an intermediate jet trainer. Much of what went into the T-1 was learnt from the licensed manufacture and operation by Japan of the F-86 sabre. This has lead to it being considered a 2 seat F-86 but in reality nothing was interchangeable between the two. Like a lot of trainers it had the capability to carry some ordnance and was used for some tactical training.

The original T-1A was powered by a licensed Bristol Siddeley Orpheus engine. 46 T-1As were built. Later a T-1B was built with an Ishikawajima-Harima J3 engine fitted. 20 T-1Bs were built. The first T-1 flew in January of 1953 and they were retired in March of 2006 being replaced by the T-4.

The Kit
The Fuji T-1 kit has been around for a while, the first one I built was in a Hales box so that dates it to pretty far back. The kit has been updated at least once as far as I can tell with new parts for the cockpit. I also notice that the original boxing included a plastic FUJI T-1 plaque to display in front of your completed model, this has now been removed which is a shame. Hasegawa have re-released this kit in various boxings over the years, the last one I know of was for the retirement of the T-1. The parts count for the whole kit is fairly low with all parts on two fairly small sprues with an additional small sprue for the drop tanks.

Construction starts with cockpit. 2 fairly generic seats are provided with instrument panels and control columns. The rudder pedals are moulded onto the floor and instrument panel details are provided as decals. Once the cockpit is completed this is placed inside the fuselage adding the intake and exhaust. Neither of these is very deep and are blanked off so at least you can not see through the model.

Once the fuselage is closed up the wings are added. The lower wing is one part crossing the bottom of the fuselage with the top wings being added. Following this the the tailplanes, landing gear and tanks are added. Given the age of the kit there is no detail at all in the gear bays. Finally the canopy is added.

Canopy

The canopy Is very clear despite the old moulds the canopy has held up well, and can be posed in either the open or closed position.

Decals
Decals are provided for 3 aircraft in the kit.

• 857 Air Proving Group JASDF - As on Box Art
• 808 13th FTW JASDF (Overall white aircraft)
• 812 13th FTW JASDF (Overall white with large red panels)

The decals look glossy and in register, they also do appear thinner than hasegawa decals in the past. All of the dayglo areas for the aircraft are provided as decals if te modeller does not want to paint these areas. Hasegawa now also seem to be able to print white not that horrible cream colour of the past.

Conclusion

Overall recommended for Japanese aircraft fans or if you fancy building something different.

In the words of a famous TV Show here is one I built earlier.

Review sample courtesy of
UK distributors for