Kinetic 1/48 T-45 Goshawk Kit First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

The T-45 Goshawk is a fully carrier-capable version of the Hawk Mk.60. It was developed as a jet flight trainer for the United States Navy (USN) and United States Marine Corps (USMC). Originally a British design, this aircraft has been adopted by the US Navy for training and tactical multi-role purpose. The Hawk has been a worldwide best seller and the aircraft now is service has all around performance superior to original expectations. Variants of the Hawk include the T-45A a two-seat basic and advanced jet trainer for the US Navy, the T-45B proposed land-based version for the US Navy, which would have been basically a conventional Hawk with a USN cockpit and no carrier capability. The USN had wanted the T-45B to get an earlier training capability, but abandoned the idea in 1984 in favor of less-costly updates to the TA-4J and T-2C, and finally the T-45C improved T-45A with glass cockpit, inertial navigation, and other improvements. Existing T-45As are being upgraded to the T-45C standard.

While Italeri had the distinction of producing the first T-45 kit in plastic in any scale (in this case 1/72), Kinetic Models has answered with the very first kit of this aircraft in 1/48 scale plastic. Molded in light gray styrene, this kit is rendered on four parts trees plus a small tree of clear parts. The surface detailing is scribed and nicely done.

Let's take a look at the features and options:

• Choice ot T-45A or T-45C cockpit layouts
• Nice pair of NACES ejection seats (they do need photo-etched belts/harnesses)
• Positionable canopy
• Positionable landing gear
• Full intake ducting to engine compressor face
• Full exhaust ducting to turbine face
• Nicely detailed wheel wells
• Flaps and slats are posed extended
• Optional centerline travel pod

We discovered a few minor bugs in the quick build review of this kit with the instructions and a few minor gaps during assembly. The decals were also disappointing given the number of colorful examples out there, but fortunately Caracal Decals has already stepped up with three different sheets for this Goshawk kit including my favorite here.

Markings are provided for two examples:

• T-45A, 163654, B/254, TW-2, USMC, NAS Kingsville
• T-45C, 167106, B/328, TW-2, USN, NAS Kingsville

This is a really nice looking kit and will provide modelers with a kit of the current generation of advanced trainers bringing new Naval Aviators online. With some of the nice aftermarket decals available Caracal Decals for this kit, including some for the Centennial of Naval Aviation, you have some interesting choices ahead.

This kit is available at only $32.99 from LuckyModel.

Here is a quick-build review of the T-45C Goshawk.

My sincere thanks to Lucky Model for this review sample!