Mitsubishi F-2A - JASDF 35th Squadron - 2010 - Hasegawa 1/72

[Eric B.]

Hello 

I wish to present my 1/72nd scale Mitsubishi F-2A Hasegawa to you.

 

 

 

 

 

I started this model from a box bought a while ago. It was a F-2 prototype boxing, hence the white plastic.

 

That said, the parts provided by Hasegawa are the same for all their 1/72nd scale Mitsubishi F-2s be it prototype or operational versions. 
* The decals are from a (excellent) DXM decal sheet.
* The engine nozzle is a Reskit nozzle which has the advantage of being more detailed and offering an open nozzle, which is often the case with parked F-2As.
* The wheels are also from Reskit. Note that the ones in the kit are actually quite good.
* The ejection seat is a Wolpack Design in resin that advantageously replaces the part supplied with the kit
* Some of the cockpit detailing elements are photoetched and come from an Eduard PE sheet. 

 

The model is a very good Hasegawa, sharp and quite complete, quite close in its design to the F-16 kits of the brand. 
However, no part of the F-2 is common to those of the F-16 and it is easy to see that this model is much more recent in design than the F-16s. As usual with Hasegawa, the cockpit is simplified and will have to be detailed (photo-etched + resin seat), as well as the gear wells (scratch).

 

 

All the F-2 boxes at the 1/72nd Hasegawa that I know of allow you to build either a single-seat F-2A or a two-seat F-2B. This means that it is necessary to join the front (specific A or and the rear (common part) of the upper part of the fuselage. Nothing complicated, a very small amount of dry fitting is recommended to perfect the adjustment. 

 

 

Even if this model is very good we can't deny the plus and advantages brought by the newer Fine Milds F-2s.

The assembly is very traditional and starts with the cockpit and the construction of certain details that will quickly find their place when the fuselage is closed. In this respect, the integration of the Reskit nozzle requires preparatory work that it is better to prepare. 

Not liking this white plastic, I quickly applied a layer of gray paint as a primer...

 

 

Before continuing with a general paint in the lightest blue of the camouflage obtained by mixing (Gunze 50% H56 + 50% H25 about - I deliberately modulate to have variations in shade)

 

 

After several freehand attempts, I decided to use cardboard masks for the application of the darkest blue (Tamiya 3/4 XF17 +1/4 XF8 approximately)
The radome and antennas are much clearer than the recommended H317 (Dark gull gray). I went for an H325 (Light gull gray) slightly lightened. 

 

 

The rest of the assembly is quite traditional and consists of setting up and painting the different details and antennas, detailing the landing gear and pipes in flexible metal wire then gluing, careful installation of the decals and simple weathering avoiding excesses.

 

Best to you all

 

Eric B.
 

[Fabrizio Leonardo]

wow, great subjet and excellent model!

thanks for sharing 🙂

[PATRICK FROM THE SANDS]

Fa-bu-leux! Looking at the photos, I believed it was the real thing! Top class 72eme, bravo!  

[Yorkshire man]

Looked like the real thing in that first picture !

 

[Mynimal]

Amazing model and a Great job.

[Vultures1]

Excellent work! 

[ruudster]

Great work!  Looks noice!

[Dennis_C]

Top class model of a top class looking aircraft 

F-2 JADSF camouflage scheme puts it differently to all those modern overall grey fighters. Lovely result!

[Eric B.]

Hi, 

 

Thank you all for your kind remarks. 

 

Dennis, yes I like the colour spot this blue on blue camo brings on my shelves.

 

Cheers

 

Eric B. 

[cpoud117]

Great work, both on the model and photography. This all looks pretty amazing!

[Smudge]

Very nice. Loving those Japanese colour schemes. Thanks for the heads up on DXM decals.

[Lightningboy2000]

Fantastic looking F-2A, and especially in that natural light. DXM certainly do produce some good quality decals. 

[loloskymaster]

Wow ! Better than the real F-2!! 😲

Bravo for the build and the perfect paint 😍

Lolo

[Jeddahbill]

Superb work and beautiful photos!

 

Bill

[kelly9mm]

Beautiful work!

[Eric B.]

Thank you dearly, everyone of you...

 

Yes the DXM decal sheets are very good.

They are very complete, they provide an interesting variety of aircraft and liveries (JASDF aircraft - F-2s, F-15s, F-4s - including aggressors and special liveries, USN or foreign F-4s, F-14s, F-18s..) and they are sharp and well printed being printed by Cartograph now.

 

They now are one of my main source of aftermarket decals in 1/72nd scale. 

 

Eric B. 

[noelh]

Great model and great photos. I always think of the F2A as the  female version of the F16. Somehow it's prettier and more delicate than it's  sibling. 😅

 

[Robertone139]

So, where are the photos of the model?

Those are reference photos of the real aircraft, right?

 

Awesome awesome job!

[Eric B.]

Hello, 

 

Thank you for your very kind words.

Noel : are these poetic words ? - I never expected the male / female comparision between the F-16 and the F-2 but the truth is in the eyes of the beholder. 😀 

 

Cheers 

 

Eric B.

[tomthounaojam]

I am not able to view the images, I tried different browsers and devices, still no joy. 

[Eric B.]

Hi Tom, 

 

Please check - Photos seem to have been restaured now. 

 

Cheers 

 

Eric B.

[VG 33]

On 10/1/2024 at 10:49 PM, Eric B. said:

Hi Tom, 

 

Please check - Photos seem to have been restaured now. 

 

Cheers 

 

Eric B.

 

Nope.

Patrick

[sandros]

I always wanted to build an F-2. Your job is inspiring.

 

[Fred piket]

What a fantastic build, it's awesome! Beautiful build, great paintjob. It just looks like the real thing

[Nanond]

Very nice. Painting and weathering is just perfect. Photography really add realism to the model.