In Box Review of Platz 1/144th Scale
JASDF RF-4E Phantom II
Kit no. PF-30:1800
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright 2020
MSRP: 1441 Yen ($13.16)
This Phantom II was with the 501st Squadron as the last Recon one in 2020 and was in the “Forest Camouflage”.
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright 2020
MSRP: 1441 Yen ($13.16)
This Phantom II was with the 501st Squadron as the last Recon one in 2020 and was in the “Forest Camouflage”.
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 blousy end-opening type box that is not shrink-wrapped. It is 3” too long and 2” too wide.
I am no fan of this type of box, because invariably parts or the decal sheet will find their way past one of the end flaps to become lost forever. Give me a tray and lid type box any day of the week.
The box top has a color photo of the RF-4E in flight while the box bottom has 4 color profiles of the camouflage scheme. There are the two sides, top and bottom view. On the upper right side is a photo of the kit decals.
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 blousy end-opening type box that is not shrink-wrapped. It is 3” too long and 2” too wide.
I am no fan of this type of box, because invariably parts or the decal sheet will find their way past one of the end flaps to become lost forever. Give me a tray and lid type box any day of the week.
The box top has a color photo of the RF-4E in flight while the box bottom has 4 color profiles of the camouflage scheme. There are the two sides, top and bottom view. On the upper right side is a photo of the kit decals.
One side panel contains the contact information for Platz and kit content description.
The other side has a color profile of the RF-4E as well as history, an inflight photo of the aircraft and a repeat of Platz's contact information.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
The kit contains 11 medium grey parts-trees, that are not alphabetized. Some look like trees the rest are just loose parts, odd! Also, there are no part numbers next to the parts. Bad move Platz.
First is the medium-grey fuselage halves (2 parts)
The kit contains 11 medium grey parts-trees, that are not alphabetized. Some look like trees the rest are just loose parts, odd! Also, there are no part numbers next to the parts. Bad move Platz.
First is the medium-grey fuselage halves (2 parts)
Next is a loose tree for the wing drop tanks and cockpit. (3 parts)
Then pilot and navigator figures (2 parts)
A square tree, air intake panels, splitter plates and nose cone (5 parts)
Alternate belly drop tank and wing pylons etc. (5 parts)
A tree of Sparrow missiles, Launch rails and pylons that are all shaded out in the parts trees illustrations. Meaning these are excess and not needed to complete the model. Lookout spares box! (17 parts)
Main wheels, dash etc. (8 parts)
The wings (1 part)
A tree of the elevators etc. (10 parts)
A tree of the landing gear legs and alternate elevators. (These elevators are shaded out and excess), along with 3 other small parts etc. (13 parts)
Finally is the clear tree (4 parts)
Everything in the kit is in 2 self-sealing clear cello bags.
The instructions consists of a single sheet printed on both sides and folded in the center to create 4 pages in 6” x 8 ¼” page format.
Page 1 begins with: This is an unassembled plastic model kit. Glue and paint not included. Some parts are extremely sharp. Handle with care. Do not use glue or paint near a flame. Suitable for age 15 and above, in Japanese and English.
Below is the first 2 assembly steps, above the parts trees illustrations, Platz’s telephone and FAX numbers, street and web addresses.
Page 2 begins with 2 paragraphs all in Japanese. With a repeat of Platz’s FAX number, above 2 more assembly steps.
Pages 3 & 4 are color and marking guides and the last of a grand total of 6 assembly steps. They show a 5-view of the Phantom, that is in a splinter of tan, green and brown, over a light grey under-carriage. It has a shark nose and a diagonal band around the rear of the fuselage that says 1961 and 2020 on it with silhouettes of RF-4’s. An illustration of Woody Woodpecker’s head is on the sides of the rudder Drop tanks are dark green with diagonal tan bands.
The decal sheet completes the kits contents. It includes a tissue to protect its face from scratching. However, the sheet was floating around loose and not protecting a thing. So, I scotch taped it to the decal.
The instructions consists of a single sheet printed on both sides and folded in the center to create 4 pages in 6” x 8 ¼” page format.
Page 1 begins with: This is an unassembled plastic model kit. Glue and paint not included. Some parts are extremely sharp. Handle with care. Do not use glue or paint near a flame. Suitable for age 15 and above, in Japanese and English.
Below is the first 2 assembly steps, above the parts trees illustrations, Platz’s telephone and FAX numbers, street and web addresses.
Page 2 begins with 2 paragraphs all in Japanese. With a repeat of Platz’s FAX number, above 2 more assembly steps.
Pages 3 & 4 are color and marking guides and the last of a grand total of 6 assembly steps. They show a 5-view of the Phantom, that is in a splinter of tan, green and brown, over a light grey under-carriage. It has a shark nose and a diagonal band around the rear of the fuselage that says 1961 and 2020 on it with silhouettes of RF-4’s. An illustration of Woody Woodpecker’s head is on the sides of the rudder Drop tanks are dark green with diagonal tan bands.
The decal sheet completes the kits contents. It includes a tissue to protect its face from scratching. However, the sheet was floating around loose and not protecting a thing. So, I scotch taped it to the decal.
Neat little aircraft kit.
Highly recommended.
I sincerely wish to thank Platz for this review sample.
All Platz products can be viewed on their web-site at:
Highly recommended.
I sincerely wish to thank Platz for this review sample.
All Platz products can be viewed on their web-site at: