KIT:

Black Box 1/48 F-4J Cockpit Set

SET #

48044

PRICE:

$22.00 MSRP

FOR:

Hasegawa 1/48 F-4J Phantom II

REVIEWER:

Scott Van Aken

As good as the Hasegawa 1/48 Phantoms are, their biggest downfall is that the Navy versions don't have the right cockpit. In there is a USAF one complete with full side consoles and control stick for the back seater. WRONG!  Navy Radar Intercept Officers (RIOs) were generally not qualified pilots so the controls were not installed in the back seat. Sure, they could be put in if needed, and some USN Phantoms were so equipped to act as trainers. However, much of  the back seat was devoid of the wide side consoles you'll find in USAF F-4s. This particular set takes care of that problem with a proper tub and proper seats for the Navy version. Yes, you'll find back seat sticks in the set, but they are not used. An interesting addition is the inclusion of a periscope for the piece between the two canopies. This was used on some of the British F-4J(UK) Phantoms, but I cannot recall ever seeing it on a US F-4J so check your references before using it. Now, if they'd only downsize this to 1/72........

Review set courtesy North American Hobbies, where you can get this item at 20-30% below retail.

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