In Box Review of Platz 1/72nd Scale
JASDF F-15J Eagle
303 Squadron Digital Gray Camouflage
Japanese 60th Anniv. Special Painting
Kit no. AC-33:3980
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 2020
MSRP: 3184 Yen ($29.19) or 3420 Yen ($31.38) at 2 shops in Japan.
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 2020
MSRP: 3184 Yen ($29.19) or 3420 Yen ($31.38) at 2 shops in Japan.
THE KIT:
Platz is a prolific model company based in Shizuoka City, Japan. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit come in a tray and lid type box that is not shrink-wrapped.
The cover art shows the Eagle in the special digital camouflage for the 808th Squadron’s 60th anniversary.
It is in in flight and showing its top. It is in multiple shades of grey, with JASDF roundels above the wings.
One corner of the box art shows a color illustration of the decal sheet in the kit.
One side panel begins with a color photo of the Eagle sitting on a runway. This is followed by: There have been so many F-15J’s of the JASDF carrying special painting in air festivals.
Among them, #864 from 303 Squadron in Komatsu Air Festival in Sept. 2014. Still exclusively gathers popularity. The paint commemorating the 50th anniversary of the JASDF features cutting-edge digital camouflage , adding pixel patterns onto the original air superiority grey scheme. It forms a virile look as a fighter, as well as an exclusive impression as a special painting.
This is a 1/72nd scale plastic model kit. Total length 207mm (a little over 8”) width 183mm (a little over 7”). Correct and realistic outline to details based on research of the real aircraft. All of the digital camo pattern is a silk screen decal printed by Cartograph in large size. Compromising fine coloring and easy to mount.
A color side profile of the Eagle is shown. Text is in Japanese and English. Platz’s telephone and FAX numbers are provided.
Platz is a prolific model company based in Shizuoka City, Japan. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit come in a tray and lid type box that is not shrink-wrapped.
The cover art shows the Eagle in the special digital camouflage for the 808th Squadron’s 60th anniversary.
It is in in flight and showing its top. It is in multiple shades of grey, with JASDF roundels above the wings.
One corner of the box art shows a color illustration of the decal sheet in the kit.
One side panel begins with a color photo of the Eagle sitting on a runway. This is followed by: There have been so many F-15J’s of the JASDF carrying special painting in air festivals.
Among them, #864 from 303 Squadron in Komatsu Air Festival in Sept. 2014. Still exclusively gathers popularity. The paint commemorating the 50th anniversary of the JASDF features cutting-edge digital camouflage , adding pixel patterns onto the original air superiority grey scheme. It forms a virile look as a fighter, as well as an exclusive impression as a special painting.
This is a 1/72nd scale plastic model kit. Total length 207mm (a little over 8”) width 183mm (a little over 7”). Correct and realistic outline to details based on research of the real aircraft. All of the digital camo pattern is a silk screen decal printed by Cartograph in large size. Compromising fine coloring and easy to mount.
A color side profile of the Eagle is shown. Text is in Japanese and English. Platz’s telephone and FAX numbers are provided.
The other side panel shows two color photos of the actual Eagle sitting on a runway. Followed by: This is an unassembled plastic model kit. Glue and paint are not provided. Some parts are extremely sharp. Handle with care. Do not be near fire while using glue or paint. Kit is intended for modelers over 15 years of age. Platz’s web address is provided, in Japanese and English.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX”
The kit holds 6 medium-grey trees, a clear tree and the decal sheet in 2 self=sealing clear cello bags. The instructions, 2 marking and painting guides.
The main instructions accordion-folds out into 6 pages in 7 ¼” x 10” page format, printed on slick-coated paper.
Page 1 begins with a black and white photo of the actual Eagle’s nose and tail fins. One fin has a white dragon on it with JAPAN PRIDE across it.
The other rudder has 4 vertical stripes up it with JASDF 60th Anniversary, that has a dragons head over the zero in the 60 over black serial no. 62-8864.
Bottom of the page says to study the instructions carefully, in Japanese and English and Platz’s telephone and FAX number are repeated.
Pages 2 through to page 5 gives a grand total of 9 assembly steps.
Page 6 is the parts trees illustrations. Half of tree letter E is shown shaded out. Meaning those parts are excess and not needed to complete the kit.
The kit holds 6 medium-grey trees, a clear tree and the decal sheet in 2 self=sealing clear cello bags. The instructions, 2 marking and painting guides.
The main instructions accordion-folds out into 6 pages in 7 ¼” x 10” page format, printed on slick-coated paper.
Page 1 begins with a black and white photo of the actual Eagle’s nose and tail fins. One fin has a white dragon on it with JAPAN PRIDE across it.
The other rudder has 4 vertical stripes up it with JASDF 60th Anniversary, that has a dragons head over the zero in the 60 over black serial no. 62-8864.
Bottom of the page says to study the instructions carefully, in Japanese and English and Platz’s telephone and FAX number are repeated.
Pages 2 through to page 5 gives a grand total of 9 assembly steps.
Page 6 is the parts trees illustrations. Half of tree letter E is shown shaded out. Meaning those parts are excess and not needed to complete the kit.
Page 9 is the instructions for adding the center line drop tank and missile stores.
Medium-grey letter A tree holds the fuselage top and bottom, the wings and rudders (6 parts)
Medium-grey letter B tree holds: air intakes, sides etc. (21 parts)
Medium-grey letter C tree holds: the cockpit, landing gear legs, dash etc. (53 parts)
2 identical medium-grey letter D trees hold: drop tanks, elevators, wheels etc. (33 parts) It is co-joined to the letter K trees.
Lettering jumps to the 2 identical medium-grey letter K trees. They hold small parts that I cannot name, sorry! (21 parts ea.)
Medium-grey letter E tree holds rockets. 8 parts are shaded out. (12 parts)
There are no F or G trees.
There are no F or G trees.
The painting and marking guide shows 3 side profiles of the Eagle and 2 top views and one bottom view of it, over a suggested paint color listing of Gunze Sangyo brand hobby paints. Platz’s street address, telephone and FAX number and their web address are provided.
The large decal sheet, with a tissue to protect its face from scratching, in a sealed clear cello bag completes the kit's contents.
There is no pilot figure provided.
There is no pilot figure provided.
Detail is excellent and engraved.
Highly recommended.
I want to sincerely thank Platz for this review copy.
All Platz products can be viewed on their web-site at:
Highly recommended.
I want to sincerely thank Platz for this review copy.
All Platz products can be viewed on their web-site at: