Subject: Re: HLJ - Hasegawa 1/48 Mitsubishi F1M2 Model 11 Pete ‘Seaplane Tender’
From: "Submissions for ARC" <[email-masked]>
To: "Dave Johnson" <[email-masked]>
Date: Sun, 28 Nov 2010 18:49:40 -0800

Hi,
I just wanted to let you know your article went on ARC today.  Thanks again for sending it in.

Steve Bamford
ARC Air - Aircraft Resource Center
http://www.arcair.com

Live like there is no tomorrow;
Love like you've never been hurt.
Work like you don't need the money.
Dance like nobody's watching.
Sing like nobody's listening.
Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Dave Johnson 
  To: [email-masked] 
  Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2010 12:35 AM
  Subject: HLJ - Hasegawa 1/48 Mitsubishi F1M2 Model 11 Pete ‘Seaplane Tender’

  Hasegawa

  1/48 Mitsubishi F1M2 Model 11 Pete ‘Seaplane Tender’

  Limited Release Series

  Product # 09927 (http://www.hlj.com/product/HSG09927) from HobbyLink Japan (www.hlj.com)

  Product Article by Dave Johnson on the November 2010

  The History –

  The Mitsubishi F1M or as the Allied called it, Pete was Japanese reconnaissance floatplane of World War 2. It was the last biplane type from the Imperial Japanese Navy, with 1,118 built between 1936 and 1944. The F1M1 was powered by a Nakajima Hikaro MK1 radial engine, delivering 820 hp, a maximum speed of 368 km/h (230 mph) and operating range of up to 1,072 km (670 mi) when overloaded. It provided the IJN with a very versatile operations platform. The F1M was originally built as a catapult-launched reconnaissance float plane, specialising in gunnery spotting. However the "Pete" took on a number of local roles including area-defence fighter, convoy escort, bomber, anti-submarine, maritime patrol, rescue and transport. The Pete fought dogfights in the Aleutians, the Solomon’s and several other theatres. Optionally armed with a maximum of three 7.7 mm machine guns that were two fixed forward-firing and one flexible rear-firing and two 132 lb bombs.

  The Kit – 

  Upon open the solid top opening box that Hasegawa uses on all of their kits is 7 medium grey and 1 clear sprue that contain 123 parts (according to the box). The first thing that hit me was the quality of the moulding of the parts. The moulds are very crisp and show no traces of flash or sink marks on any of the parts on the sprues. Panel lines are fantastically done as per normal with Hasegawa kits of late. Fabric surfaces are tad overdone in my books as they are moulded in super-tight look. 

  Cockpit is made up of 32 parts, which includes parts for fuel tank. The cockpit is nicely detailed for out of the box with detailed instrument panels and sidewalls. Again as all Hasegawa kits it lacks seat harnesses, so an aftermarket option or scratch building would be require to fill that gap in the cockpit area. The observer area is also nicely detailed with a machine gun and mount. The canopy is crystal clear and the framing is very crisp. Also include on the clear sprue are the parts for navigation lamp and covers.

  The engine is designed as a single plug that features the two rows of cylinders. The engine rods are casted onto the plug and will look like a separate piece once painted. The crankcase is also a separate piece and will encase the poly-cap for the propeller. 

  The Pete carries a small amount of armament with a nicely moulded machine gun in the observers area as mention before. It also has two forward firing machine guns that are located in the cowl but there is no parts supplied for them as they are not seen. Plus there are two 132Ib bombs that have neat bomb racks moulded as separate items. Also included in the kit is a 10 part beaching dolly and a support stand that supports the aircraft at the rear when its sitting on the dolly.  

  The instructions are the typical Hasegawa, printed in black and white fold out piece of paper. The colour callouts are done in the GSI Creos Aqueous and Mr Color ranges. The build process is very easy to follow and clear to understand. Also included in the instructions is the guide for the Photo Etch upgrade set that is available for the F1M2 Pete separately and not included within this kit.

  There are four scheme options are –

  Seaplane Tender Kunikawamaru, 1942.

  Seaplane Tender, Chitose 1942.

  Seaplane Tender Sanukimaru 1942.
  Seaplane Tender Sagaramaru 1942.

  The decals are printed in an excellent quality, perfect registration and on that newer style of decal paper that Hasegawa are using.
  Overall, this has to be one of the best looking kits I have seen in 48th scale. It surely surpasses the ancient Tamiya 50th scale offering. If you want to build an model of the F1M2 Pete this is surely the kit for you. The fit looks to be fantastic and surely will be buildable for any modeller with any level skill.

  I would like to thank HobbyLink (www.hlj.com) for providing this review sample.