In Box Review of Platz 1/144th Scale
U.S. Navy F6F-3K “HELLCAT” Dawn of Drone
The 1st Drone Conversion/Observation Drone for Nuclear Project
2 in 1 kit no. PDR-23-1800
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright 2020
MSRP: 14.41 Yen ($13.16)
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright 2020
MSRP: 14.41 Yen ($13.16)
After playing a role as a main carrier-fighter in WWII service, some F6F”Hellcats” were converted to unmanned Aero Versions in the postwar era. F6F’s basic high performance was also suitable for UAV’s. The F6F’s were even useful for target drone and/or unmanned missile launching mother-ships.
THE KIT:
Platz is a prolific model company based in Shizuoka City, Japan. They manufacture all manner or model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a end-opening type box that Is not shrink-wrapped.
I am no fan of this type of box, because invariably parts of 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 cover art shows a color side profile of a F6F-3K , that is overall orange with a red cowling nose. It has a white circle, outlined in black with a bumble bee on it on the sides of the cowling. Star with wings on the sides of the fuselage and black X-2 on the sides of its rudder. A large repeat of the bumble bee insignia is behind it. All is posed on an all-white background. Similar to how Tamiya brand also does the majority of their box arts. Its belly tank is overall red.
One corner of the box art shows a color illustration of the kit’s decal sheet and says there are 2 planes included.
Platz’s web-address is provided on another corner.
One side panel begins with a paragraph in Japanese, followed by the bumble bee insignia over: On both sides of the engine cowling of “X-2” , which was one of the first prototype F6F drones, is the emblem of “Radio Controlled” drone (male bee) is painted.
Followed by a one paragraph history of the aircraft, in Japanese and English. Platz’s telephone and FAX number and their street address are provided.
THE KIT:
Platz is a prolific model company based in Shizuoka City, Japan. They manufacture all manner or model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a end-opening type box that Is not shrink-wrapped.
I am no fan of this type of box, because invariably parts of 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 cover art shows a color side profile of a F6F-3K , that is overall orange with a red cowling nose. It has a white circle, outlined in black with a bumble bee on it on the sides of the cowling. Star with wings on the sides of the fuselage and black X-2 on the sides of its rudder. A large repeat of the bumble bee insignia is behind it. All is posed on an all-white background. Similar to how Tamiya brand also does the majority of their box arts. Its belly tank is overall red.
One corner of the box art shows a color illustration of the kit’s decal sheet and says there are 2 planes included.
Platz’s web-address is provided on another corner.
One side panel begins with a paragraph in Japanese, followed by the bumble bee insignia over: On both sides of the engine cowling of “X-2” , which was one of the first prototype F6F drones, is the emblem of “Radio Controlled” drone (male bee) is painted.
Followed by a one paragraph history of the aircraft, in Japanese and English. Platz’s telephone and FAX number and their street address are provided.
The other side panel says the kit is unassembled and unpainted 1/144th scale plastic model kit. There are 5 schemes of decals for 2 models. Glue and paint are not included. Some parts are extremely sharp. Handle with care. Do not use near fire while using glue or paint. Kit is intended for modelers age 15 and older, in Japanese and English.
The box bottom shows 5 color side profiles of the F6F.
Scheme letter A is the box art scheme (already described above. It was one of the first drone conversions, Naval Air Development Unit, Jonesville, PA 1945.
Scheme letter B is also overall orange with an orange drop tank. Black “ALAMEDA” followed by star insignia without wings. It has a black anti-glare panel in front of the windshield. Small black serial no. 41717 and F6F-3 on its rudder sides.
This aircraft was used for training purposes at Alameda, CA 1945.
Scheme letter C is overall red with a red drop tank. It has a small white 10 on the sides of the cowling and a larger white 10 on the sides of its rudder.
It was an observer drone for special operation. It participated in the nuclear test “Operation Crossroads” Bikini Islands, 1945.
Scheme letter D has a red fuselage and a light grey tail and drop tank. It has a small white no. 14 over “JANE” on the sides of its cowling. Star with wings on fuselage sides and large black 14 on the rudder.
It was used the same as scheme C.
Scheme letter E has a red fuselage and drop tank and a blue rudder. It has a small white 15 on the sides of the cowling and larger in black on its rudder sides.
It was used the same as schemes C & D.
These schemes are repeated as 4-views in the instructions.
Scheme letter B is also overall orange with an orange drop tank. Black “ALAMEDA” followed by star insignia without wings. It has a black anti-glare panel in front of the windshield. Small black serial no. 41717 and F6F-3 on its rudder sides.
This aircraft was used for training purposes at Alameda, CA 1945.
Scheme letter C is overall red with a red drop tank. It has a small white 10 on the sides of the cowling and a larger white 10 on the sides of its rudder.
It was an observer drone for special operation. It participated in the nuclear test “Operation Crossroads” Bikini Islands, 1945.
Scheme letter D has a red fuselage and a light grey tail and drop tank. It has a small white no. 14 over “JANE” on the sides of its cowling. Star with wings on fuselage sides and large black 14 on the rudder.
It was used the same as scheme C.
Scheme letter E has a red fuselage and drop tank and a blue rudder. It has a small white 15 on the sides of the cowling and larger in black on its rudder sides.
It was used the same as schemes C & D.
These schemes are repeated as 4-views in the instructions.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
The kit holds 4 medium-grey parts trees, 2 clear trees and the decal sheet in 3 clear cello bags. The largest bag is self-sealing the smaller bags are heat sealed shut.
The instructions consists of a single sheet printed on both sides on slick coated paper in color. It is folded in the center to create 4 pages in 5 ¾” x 8 ¼” folded again to fix the box.
Page 1 begins with a repeat of Platz’s telephone and FAX numbers and their street address and the short history of the aircraft and features, in Japanese and English.
The parts trees are illustrated and are alphabetized.
There are 2 large identical medium-grey letter A trees. They hold: the fuselage, wings, elevators, cockpit floor and alternate backrests, engine, propeller and its retainer ring, dashboard, seat, 2 bombs. Belly drop tank halves and its struts (33 parts ea.) The 2 bombs are not shown in the assembly steps, so are excess.
The kit holds 4 medium-grey parts trees, 2 clear trees and the decal sheet in 3 clear cello bags. The largest bag is self-sealing the smaller bags are heat sealed shut.
The instructions consists of a single sheet printed on both sides on slick coated paper in color. It is folded in the center to create 4 pages in 5 ¾” x 8 ¼” folded again to fix the box.
Page 1 begins with a repeat of Platz’s telephone and FAX numbers and their street address and the short history of the aircraft and features, in Japanese and English.
The parts trees are illustrated and are alphabetized.
There are 2 large identical medium-grey letter A trees. They hold: the fuselage, wings, elevators, cockpit floor and alternate backrests, engine, propeller and its retainer ring, dashboard, seat, 2 bombs. Belly drop tank halves and its struts (33 parts ea.) The 2 bombs are not shown in the assembly steps, so are excess.
There are 2 identical medium-grey letter B parts. They are the cowlings.
Clear letter G tree holds the canopy and 2 square windows. The square windows are shaded out in the parts trees illustrations as being excess.
Clear letter G tree holds the canopy and 2 square windows. The square windows are shaded out in the parts trees illustrations as being excess.
The decal sheet completes the kit.
The rest of page 1 and page 2 gives a grand total of 5 assembly steps.
The top of page 2 gives decal application instructions and instructions as to how to get service for the kit, in Japanese and English.
Pages 1 and 2 give a grand total of 5 assembly steps.
Page 3 and 4 gives the four 4-views of the schemes on the box bottom (already described above) over a suggested listing of GSI brand paint colors.
The top of page 2 gives decal application instructions and instructions as to how to get service for the kit, in Japanese and English.
Pages 1 and 2 give a grand total of 5 assembly steps.
Page 3 and 4 gives the four 4-views of the schemes on the box bottom (already described above) over a suggested listing of GSI brand paint colors.
There are no pilot figures included in the kit. Detail is of the engraved variety.
I want to sincerely thank Platz for this review sample.
All their products can be viewed on their web-site at:
I want to sincerely thank Platz for this review sample.
All their products can be viewed on their web-site at: