Mitsubishi T-2 Early Type - 1:72 Platz

[Julien]

Mitsubishi T-2 Early Type

1:72 Platz

The Mitsubishi T-2 is a twin seat training aircraft which was designed and built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. A total of 90 were built for the Japanese Air Self Defence Force. The last T-2 left service in March 2006.

In the late 1960s the JASDF looked at getting an advanced trainer as they found that the existing Fuji T-1 did not meet the need to train pilots for the front line fighters such as the F-104 and F-4 of the time. consideration was given to buying a foreign aircraft; with The T-38 Talon and the SEPECAT Jaguar being offered. Japan did try and acquire a licence to build the Jaguar which failed. It is cited that SEPECAT wanted to high a fee for this, but has been suspected that nationalism also played a part.

The T-2 was developed along side the F-1 with a common airframe being able to fulfil both roles with a little modification. Despite looking very similar to the Jaguar (and using the same engines) the aircraft was noticeably longer and had a shorter wingspan. In addition single wheels were used as the aircraft had no rough field requirement in its design.

The deign was finalised in 1969 and the first XT-2 prototype flew in July of 1971. A total of 90 T-2's were built. 28 T-2A's which were unarmed, and 62 T-2B's which were armed. The last T-2 was finished in 1988. The T-2 was retired by 2006 being replaced in the training role by the T-4.

The Kit
I must say as a fan of post WWII Japanese aviation it was a pleasure to see a new tool T-2. It was originally released in a boxing for the Japanese Aerobatic Display Team, the Blue Impulse which was reviewed here. It was mentioned at then it was hoped more versions would be produced. It seems Platz have done this with this release which covers early T-2s in JASDF service. The nice thing as well is that the plastic is a normal light grey, unlike that bright blue plastic in the Blue Impulse boxing.

With this release Platz have given us markings to allow any 29 of the early T-2s to be modelled.

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.

Conclusion
This is welcome kit from Platz, a great improvement on the older kits available, and a great new tool kit for those of us who like to model modern Japanese subjects. Lets hope there are some more standard boxings of the T-2 to come, or a at least a release of some of their great decals in 1.72 scale to compliment this kit.

Highly Recommended.

Review sample courtesy of