Platz Hobby 1/48 F-22A Raptors at Yokota AB 2009 Decal First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

Platz Hobby produces a wide range of kits, decals, and detail sets for the hobby market and are wanting to make their presence better known outside the Japanese market. You might want to take note as if this is an example of their work, you're going to want to procure some of these various products of interest.

In this release, we have a special edition sheet for two USAF Raptors that visited Yokota AB, Japan on 22 Aug 2009. The two F-22As were from the 1st FW at Langley AFB, VA, and were definitely giving the JASDF an opportunity to see the aircraft that may protect Japan in the future.

The two subjects provided in this set include:

• F-22A-30, 05-4101, 1st FW, Langley AFB, VA
• F-22A-20, 04-4078,94 FS/1 FW, Langley AFB, VA

In addition, the set provides a set of markings for JASDF Raptor 17-8404 as it may appear should the Japanese government purchase the aircraft. As with the Raptor sheet produced in 1/72 scale covering a wide range of USAF F-22As, this sheet also provides a wide range of squadron markings and generic ID numbers as used by the JASDF should you want to build a Raptor from a particular JASDF fighter squadron.

As an added bonus, these visitors' markings are also rendered in 1/72 scale on this sheet so you have your choice of subject and scale.

These decals are nicely printed and thin. They'll definitely give you some seriously nice options for your next 1/48nd scale Raptor. With the Academy kit available and the first of the Hasegawa 1/48 F-22s now available in Japan, you certainly have some nice options!

For more information about this set and the other releases from Platz Hobby, visit their website at http://www.platz-hobby.com.

My sincere thanks to Platz Hobby for this review sample!