Hasegawa 1/48 TA-4J Skyhawk Build Review
By Paul S Teixeira
| Date of Review | November 2009 | Manufacturer | Hasegawa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | TA-4J Skyhawk | Scale | 1/48 |
| Kit Number | 07243 (PT43) | Primary Media | Styrene |
| Pros | Easy build, nice details | Cons | |
| Skill Level | Basic | MSRP (USD) | $56.95 |
Background
I just finished this Hasegawa 1/48 TA-4J Skyhawk. I have always loved the Navy Trainers and have been waiting many years for a decent model in 1/48th. To my surprise, two were released over the past year. The limited run Classic Airframes, and the Hasegawa. I purchased both and was torn between which to build. They are both great kits, but in my opinion the Hasegawa offers a few more strengths, especially in overall mold quality and ease of assembly. Absolutely perfect wing to fuse joint!
I did steal the ejection seats from the Classic Airframe kit, it still has two more spares in the box. I also added a small amount of scratch built details to canopy frame, cockpit, and brake lines.
Also, some will judge that the Hasegawa VT-7 decals are too orange. I thought so also, until I found some picturess of this VT-7 bird in a very orange like color. I believe for this particular bird Hasegawa is spot on, although most other VT training aircraft are more on the reddish side. I had to lighten Model Master International orange to match. I like the outcome.
Overall, very fun and easy build. Fantastic fit, except for nose cone, although maybe this was my fault. Kit would be outstanding right out of the box.
