Mitsubishi F-1 1:72 Platz

[Julien]

Mitsubishi F-1

1:72 Platz

The Mitsubishi F-1 is a single seat multi-role fighter which was designed and built jointly by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Fuji Heavy industries. A total of 77 were built for the Japanese Air Self Defence Force. The F-1 was the first indigenous jet fighter to be made in Japan.

In the late 1960s the JASDF looked at getting an advanced trainer which could also be used in the ground attack and anti-shipping roles. After looking at licence building both the SEPECAT Jaguar and the Northrop T-38 Talon it was decided they would develop their own trainer the Mitsubishi T-2. As is common with a lot of military projects delays and cost over runs in the T-2 programme initially lead to the cancellation of the proposed attack version. However problems in another programme, that to replace the P-2 maritime patrol aircraft would be the saviour for the F-1. With the cancellation of this aircraft would bring a freeing up of funds which would be used to bring forward the F-1.

The new aircraft would bring in the absolute minimum of changes from the twin seat trainer. One of the most obvious differences is that the rear cockpit has been converted into an avionics bay and is plated over with an unglazed hatch. Two additional hard points were added for carrying weapons and an internal 20mm Vulcan cannon was fitted. A new radar unit was also fitted for the strike role. The aircraft has a total of seven hard points, the inner two being wet for the carriage of external tanks. The main weapon for the anit-ship role is ASM-1 & ASM-2 missile. Roughly equivalent to the Harpoon/Exocet. Sidewinders can be carried on wing tip rails for self defence and for use in a secondary role as an air defence aircraft. A full complement of mainly US designed rocket pods and bombs can also be carried. The aircraft is powered by a pair of licence built Adour Mk801 engines.

Only a planned 77 of 160 were built. The F-1 was subject to a service life extension programme in the 1990s to add another 500 hours to the airframe. 70 aircraft were modified providing them with a modern fire control system, the ability to launch infra red homing bombs and a more robust canopy. The F-1 was replaced in some sqns by the new F-2s and in some sqns by the less than new (but upgraded) F-4EJ Kais! The F-1 finally retired in 2006.


The Kit
I must say as a fan of post WWII Japanese aviation its a pleasure to see this new kit from Platz. There is nothing wrong with the Existing Hasegawa kit but it is now starting to show its age. This kit appeared unexpected from Platz and most welcome it is.

As you would expect from a new tool kit the mouldings are sharp and crisp with finely engraved panel lines and rivet detail where needed. The moulding are fairly conventional with a left & right fuselage, one part upper wing with lower parts fitting in. The main wing fits over the top of the fuselage so there are no butt joint wings which is good. In one break from tradition the vertical tail is one part which fits onto the top of the fuselage. Its good to see that one of the main weapons for the F1 the ASM-1 anti-ship missile is provided as a pair. You also get four external fuel tanks, a pair of sidewinders and unusually for a model kit a practice bomb dispenser. Its good to see this provided as it was more often seen in training than the other weapons.

Construction with no surprise starts with the cockpit. As its the F-1 only the front cockpit is used with a solid fairing making up the rear with a bulkhead fitted to it to screen it off. The instrument panel and side consoles can be painted or decals from the decal sheet used. Once the cockpit is installed the fuselage can be closed up and the intakes fitted. These have a little bit of depth to them but are no where near full length. The main fuselage parts do not wrap underneath but separate inserts must then be added. A side insert for the 20mm gun is then added (as its an insert we can hope a gunless T-2 is coming!)

Following this its time for the wings. The main wing comes as one part for the top to which the bottom inserts are added. The wings are designed so that the trailing edges are on the one part top wing, and separate leading edges are provided in order that they can be of a realistic scale thickness as well. Holes need to be added for the landing light clear parts and wing pylons at this stage. At least this mean if you dont want to use all the pylons you will not have holes to fill. The tail panes and vertical fin can now be added. Though I suspect some will leave the tail planes off until later.

Following this a three part exhaust nozzle for each side is added along with airbrakes which can be posed either open or closed. The follows the landing gear which does not appear to be too complex. There are also quite a few nicely moulded intakes and exhaust for equipment bays etc to be added. Lastly the pylons can be added as needed and the weapons built up and added.

Canopy
The canopy is quite thin and seems very clear. A framed windscreen is provided alongside a one piece windscreen. The instructions indicate that the one part screen was fitted after 1989, so a double check on your reference if you can find them would be a good idea.

Decals
With this release Platz have given us a selection of standard squadron markings. The temptation could have been to go with one of the many special schemes worn over the years, however I think its good they have given us five standard schemes.

• 3 Sqn Late.
• 3 Sqn Early.
• 6 Sqn.
• 8 Sqn Early.
• 8 Sqn Late.

The decals are printed by Cartograf of Italy and are up to their exact standards. They are glossy and in register with great colour definition. Fine sealant lines for the canopy are included in white on the decal sheet though its almost impossible to see these on the scan (top left corner). A full compliment of stencils are provided on the sheet as well as decals for the weapons, and what also look to be Remove Before Flight Tags. Given Platz's normal aftermarket decal sheets its pleasure to see all the stencilling on this sheet. Hopefully given the number of special schemes and the use of different camo we might see more boxings from Platz, or a release of some of their great decals in 1.72 scale to compliment this kit.

Conclusion
This is welcome kit from Platz, a great improvement on the older kits available, a great new tool kit for those of us who like to model modern Japanese subjects. Looking at the parts breakdown I am hoping we will see a T-2 soon.

Highly Recommended.

Review sample courtesy of

[Giorgio N]

It's great to see a new F-1 on the market, and of this quality ! Pity that Platz kits are not the most available in Europe.

The incluson of the bomb dispenser is very good, especially as it's a CBLS, that would be useful for a number of types

[Julien]

It is a very nice kit.

Looking at the layout I am very hopeful we will see a T-2 soon as well.

Julien

[Petr]

The T-2 and CCV is coming ;-)

During January, there are 3 new PE sets made by Eduard for Platz brand. Interior, exterior & undercarriage (note T-1/T-2 label on exterior set)

ttp://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10183973
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10255311
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10255310

[Julien]

Now that is good news