In Box Review of Platz 1/72nd Scale JASDF
(Japanese Air Self-Defense Force) Fuji T-1A Jet Trainer
Kit no. AC-30:2800
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright 2019
MSRP: 3,080 yen ($28.26)
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright 2019
MSRP: 3,080 yen ($28.26)
HISTORY:
The Japanese aviation industry was proud of high performance technology in several aircraft developments, such as the A6M Zero fighter. However, the defeat of WWII brought restrictions on development and production.
The restrictions were lifted in 1952. In a period of 7 years, the world's aircraft technology made a lot of progress in jet aircraft.
To Japan aviation industry that was a blank 7 years. It was the T-1 jet trainer of the JASDF that filled the blank and became the first step to achieve a great aircraft.
The development of the T-1 started from 1955, one year after the JASDF was established. The Defense agency decided the jet trainer was to be the first aircraft after the war, and the development of the domestic jet engine to be mounted on the aircraft was started at the same time.
During the development of the aircraft, the development of the domestic jet engine to be mounted on the aircraft was started at the same time.
During the development of the aircraft, the development of the domestic J3 turbo jet engine, which was scheduled to be installed was delayed. First, it went export to the British-built Orpheus engine and mounted.
The prototype was completed in November 1957. The first flight wa successful on January 19, 1958. After the flight test program was completed successfully, in 1959 the T-1A was mounted with the Orpheus engine type and formally went into production.
The first mass production type was delivered in September 1960. The T-1A, which is mainly deployed in the 13th Flying Training Wing, began to serve in the important role to raise new pilots.
On the other hand, the domestic jet engine J3, which was delayed development, was also delivered as the prototype engine in 1960, and was mounted on the T-1A, and the first flight was in May 1960. The T-1 equipped with the domestic jet engine started mass production as the T-1B.
The T-1 jet trainer was used as the first domestic jet aircraft since WWII.
Forty-six T-1A's (3 of them had their engine changed and reassigned as the T-1B) and 20 T-1B's were built, and they were active in training for the pilots of the JASDF.
T-1's raised many pilots to protect the sky of Japan for nearly half a century with the T-1A aircraft that finished its role in 2001 and the T-1B aircraft in 2006.
The Japanese aviation industry was proud of high performance technology in several aircraft developments, such as the A6M Zero fighter. However, the defeat of WWII brought restrictions on development and production.
The restrictions were lifted in 1952. In a period of 7 years, the world's aircraft technology made a lot of progress in jet aircraft.
To Japan aviation industry that was a blank 7 years. It was the T-1 jet trainer of the JASDF that filled the blank and became the first step to achieve a great aircraft.
The development of the T-1 started from 1955, one year after the JASDF was established. The Defense agency decided the jet trainer was to be the first aircraft after the war, and the development of the domestic jet engine to be mounted on the aircraft was started at the same time.
During the development of the aircraft, the development of the domestic jet engine to be mounted on the aircraft was started at the same time.
During the development of the aircraft, the development of the domestic J3 turbo jet engine, which was scheduled to be installed was delayed. First, it went export to the British-built Orpheus engine and mounted.
The prototype was completed in November 1957. The first flight wa successful on January 19, 1958. After the flight test program was completed successfully, in 1959 the T-1A was mounted with the Orpheus engine type and formally went into production.
The first mass production type was delivered in September 1960. The T-1A, which is mainly deployed in the 13th Flying Training Wing, began to serve in the important role to raise new pilots.
On the other hand, the domestic jet engine J3, which was delayed development, was also delivered as the prototype engine in 1960, and was mounted on the T-1A, and the first flight was in May 1960. The T-1 equipped with the domestic jet engine started mass production as the T-1B.
The T-1 jet trainer was used as the first domestic jet aircraft since WWII.
Forty-six T-1A's (3 of them had their engine changed and reassigned as the T-1B) and 20 T-1B's were built, and they were active in training for the pilots of the JASDF.
T-1's raised many pilots to protect the sky of Japan for nearly half a century with the T-1A aircraft that finished its role in 2001 and the T-1B aircraft in 2006.
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 comes in a tray and lid type box that is not shrink-wrapped.
The box art shows a T-1A flying above the clouds.
It is white, with a red scalloping down its fuselage sides and red wing, rudder and elevators leading edges.
it has a yellow panel under its nose and yellow wings, rudder and elevators tips.
There is a logo of a blue circle with a blue arrow-like symbol through it on the rudder.
It has a black 825 on the sides of its nose and a black serial number 15-5825 on its rudder.
The box art say the kit contains Cartograf decals that are printed in Italy.
One side panel begins with a 1-paragraph history of the T-1A, followed by features of the kit: 1/72nd scale plastic model kit, length 168mm (7"), width 145mm (6"), well detailed with accurate panel lines, realistic detail that is easy to assemble, external fuel tanks included as an option to assemble, silk screen printed decals by Cartograf, in Japanese and English.
This is followed by a color side view of another T-1A in the same color scheme. It has a blue diagonal flash on the rudder, a black serial number 05-5811 on the rudder and a black 811 on the side of its nose.
Platz's web address, 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 comes in a tray and lid type box that is not shrink-wrapped.
The box art shows a T-1A flying above the clouds.
It is white, with a red scalloping down its fuselage sides and red wing, rudder and elevators leading edges.
it has a yellow panel under its nose and yellow wings, rudder and elevators tips.
There is a logo of a blue circle with a blue arrow-like symbol through it on the rudder.
It has a black 825 on the sides of its nose and a black serial number 15-5825 on its rudder.
The box art say the kit contains Cartograf decals that are printed in Italy.
One side panel begins with a 1-paragraph history of the T-1A, followed by features of the kit: 1/72nd scale plastic model kit, length 168mm (7"), width 145mm (6"), well detailed with accurate panel lines, realistic detail that is easy to assemble, external fuel tanks included as an option to assemble, silk screen printed decals by Cartograf, in Japanese and English.
This is followed by a color side view of another T-1A in the same color scheme. It has a blue diagonal flash on the rudder, a black serial number 05-5811 on the rudder and a black 811 on the side of its nose.
Platz's web address, telephone and FAX numbers are provided.
The other side panel has 2 color side views of the model made up in the box art scheme, followed by the statement "This is a plastic unassembled scale model kit. Glue and paint are not included. Some parts are extremely sharp. Handle carefully. Do not use near fire while using paint or cement. Suitable for age 15 and above.
Platz's web address is provided.
Platz's web address is provided.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX:
This kit contains 3 medium-grey trees, a clear tree and the decal sheet in 3 self-sealing clear cello bags, the instructions and a color and marking guide. Both printed on slick-coated paper.
The instructions consist of a single-sheet folded in the center to create 4 pages in 7" x 10" page format, folded again to fit the box.
Page 1 begins with a small black and white repeat of the box art and Platz's address, telephone and FAX numbers, over the history of the T-1A and general instructions in Japanese and English.
Page 2 through 4 give a grand total of 9 assembly steps.
The color guide is the same format and size as the instructions.
Page 1 has a color and marking instructions as a 4-view of the box art scheme (already described above).
This kit contains 3 medium-grey trees, a clear tree and the decal sheet in 3 self-sealing clear cello bags, the instructions and a color and marking guide. Both printed on slick-coated paper.
The instructions consist of a single-sheet folded in the center to create 4 pages in 7" x 10" page format, folded again to fit the box.
Page 1 begins with a small black and white repeat of the box art and Platz's address, telephone and FAX numbers, over the history of the T-1A and general instructions in Japanese and English.
Page 2 through 4 give a grand total of 9 assembly steps.
The color guide is the same format and size as the instructions.
Page 1 has a color and marking instructions as a 4-view of the box art scheme (already described above).
Page 2 has 3 color illustrations of the noses and rudders of 3 other T-1A's, with black fuselage numbers on their noses as 805, 811 and 812 and bomb and fuel tank colors and markings, over suggested paint color listing of Mr. Color brand paints and the parts trees illustrations and an illustration of the decal sheet.
Page 3 and 4 are blank.
Page 3 and 4 are blank.
Trees are alphabetized, but not illustrated in the instructions. They do, however, have part number tabs next to the parts on the trees.
Medium-grey letter A tree holds the wings etc. (12 parts)
Medium-grey letter A tree holds the wings etc. (12 parts)
Medium-grey letter B tree holds: the fuel tank, bomb, landing gear legs, wheels etc. (46 parts)
Medium-grey letter C tree holds: the fuselage halves, cockpit floor etc. (11 parts)
The clear letter D tree holds the cockpit canopy (2 parts)
Included in the kit is Platz's 1/72nd scale PE set no. M72-50. It holds the dashboard, instruments, seat belts, shoulder harnesses etc. (46 parts) (Price 1,980 yen - $18.18)
The kit decal sheet.
There is no pilot figure included. Detail is very nice.
Highly recommended
I want to thank Platz for this review sample. All their products can be seen on their website at:
Highly recommended
I want to thank Platz for this review sample. All their products can be seen on their website at: