Natural Born Modelers JD-34: Kawasaki T-4 - 3 WG 50th Anniversary

Units: 3 WG JASDF

Price

 about 1400 yen. Not yet listed on website

Reviewer:

Scott Van Aken

 From the folks at www.platz-hobby.com comes the second new sheet they have sent in. This particular one is also an anniversary sheet and has much in common with the previous one reviewed.

The colors shown are overall FS 36375 Light Ghost Grey with Flourescent Orange tips to the wings, stabs and fin.The decals are superbly printed and though it seems like a lot of stuff, it is for two aircraft. In addition to the special scheme, there is a standard T-4 as flown by the Western Air Defense Headquarters Support Flight. Fortunately, there are complete markings to do both aircraft so if you want to do a pair, you have that opportunity.

NBM has done what is now common for some companies in that they provide continuous markings for entire airframe sections. This makes it even more imperative be sure there are no air bubbles under the decals, but also makes it so much easier than applying what seem like hundreds of small, individual stencils. These markings have been contracted out to Cartograf for printing so you know the quality is first rate.

The markings guide is in full color and shows precisely where each of the many markings are to be applied. It even includes those for pylons. Though I cannot read it, I have to assume that one applies the common markings first, then when dry, the special markings go over them. It appears complex, but if one takes things slowly, the result will be an excellent and special model.

My thanks to Platz Hobby for the review set. You can get this on-line at www.platz-hobby.com once it has been entered into their database. Ask your local shop to start carrying the line as they have a number of other Japanese special schemes in their catalogue.

October 2008

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