Hasegawa 1/72 F-111A Aardvark "Vietnam War"
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KIT # |
02441 |
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PRICE: |
3900 yen SRP |
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DECALS: |
Two aircraft |
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REVIEWER: |
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NOTES: |
2023 Limited Edition |
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HISTORY |
Originally known as the TFX (Tactical Fighter "X"), the F-111 was conceived to meet a USAF requirement for a new tactical fighter-bomber. In 1960, the Department of Defense combined the USAF's requirement with a Navy need for a new air superiority fighter, then launched a competition among aircraft manufacturers for the final design. In 1962, General Dynamics and Boeing were selected as finalists with the General Dynamics TFX design eventually winning out. The Navy version was known as the F-111B and the USAF version the F-111A. The first flight of the F-111A took place in December 1964, and the first production models were delivered to the USAF in 1967. Meanwhile, the Navy's F-111B program was canceled as it didn't meet the needs of the Navy being too large and too complex a system for carrier operations. This only goes to show that a 'one plane does all' deal isn't always the best. Interestingly, during all of this there was an aircraft that met and in many cases exceeded the requirements of the USN, USAF and USMC; the F-4 Phantom II.
In all, 562 F-111s of all series were built; 159 of them were preproduction and production F-111As. Many of the F-111As were rebuilt as EF-111As and those were the final type retired in 1996, the A models having been sent to the boneyard at least a decade earlier. F-111s were last operated by Australia where their special-built F-111Cs were joined by ex SAC FB-111As that were converted to F-111Gs and operated in tactical squadrons for a couple of years before being retired.
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THE KIT |
As you can expect, it is superbly molded with no flash or sink areas that I
could spot right away. There are some ejector pin marks on some of the
smaller pieces that will have to be dealt with. Typical of Hase 1/72 kits,
the cockpit instrument panels and side consoles are decals. The canopy
cannot be displayed in the open positions, but the plastic is very clear so
the interior can easily be seen. The rather complex intake shapes are well
done as is the equally complicated main gear bay.
The wings can only be displayed in the forward position as the slats and
flaps will prevent them from being swept back. The fuselage opening is also
not large enough to permit this. There are no missiles or bombs included
but there are four large drop tanks and some other missile that I believe is a Durandel included along with a MER so you can fill the pylons. A gun pod is
also provided for the centerline.
It goes without saying that this is probably the
best 1/72 F-111A kit.
Hasegawa produced the entire series of F-111s in 1989 and some additional special boxings (actually just decal switches)
in the years after.. These seem to have pretty well disappeared from store
shelves and catalogues. A couple of variants have been reboxed by Hobby 2000 in
the last few years.
Instructions are superb and
provide Gunze paint references as well as general and FS color references.
Markings are provided for two aircraft. All are in the modified SEA camo
scheme with the black underside instead of the normal light grey. Both are 474
TFW planes based at Nellis AFB. First is
the box art plane from the 430th TFS. The other, with NA tail codes, is with the
429th TFS. The sheet is nicely done and includes a fair number of stencils.
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CONCLUSIONS |
You want the best F-111 kit available in 1/72 (and probably any scale) then this is the one to get. It will be a fiddly construct as are most modern Hasegawa multi-mode kits, but the end results will be most pleasing.
June 2023
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