Hasegawa 1/48 E8N1 Type 95 (Dave) Reconnaissance Seaplane Kit First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

The Nakajima E8N Type 95 seaplane was developed in the mid-1930s as a catapult-launched aircraft which was deployed aboard all of the Imperial Japanese Navy capital ships of the day. The aircraft was not only an effective reconnaissance aircraft, it also served as an artillery spotter and dive-bomber. The first production aircraft was the E8N1 powered by a 580hp radial engine and served in the second Sino-Japanese war. While the type was still in service by the start of the Pacific War, it was soon replaced by the Aichi E13A and Mitsubishi F1M.

Hasegawa has released the first kit of the E8N Type 95 (Dave) in 1/48 scale and they've done a nice job. Molded in light gray styrene, the kit is presented on seven parts trees plus one small tree of clear parts (not shown). Among the features and options in this kit:

• Detailed front and rear cockpits
• Two nicely detailed crew figures (seated)
• Straightforward assembly
• Optional underwing bomb load
• Optional beaching dolly

The kit provides markings for (at least) two options:

• E8N1, BI-3, battleship Kirishima, 1938
• E8N1, 5-55, seaplane tender Kamol, 1938

As you can see in the box art, this aircraft was rigged as any biplane of that era was but the instructions do not mention rigging at all. You'll have to figure out the rigging yourself but it won't be difficult for experienced biplane modelers.

Another interesting 'feature' in the kit is a saw horse to hold up the rear of the main float when the aircraft is sitting on the beaching dolly. In otherwards, this kit really needs ballast in the front of the float or behind the firewall so the center of gravity of the model is correct and that saw horse is not required for display.

Finally, you can see on the decal sheet that five more aircraft numbers provided in addition to the two covered in the instructions, but there is no mention of them in the kit. I am assuming that BI-1 and BI-2 were also aboard Kirishima and 5-1, 5-7, and 5-9 were assigned to the Kamol.

This kit has lots of promise and aside from the minor points mentioned above, you shouldn't have any issues with building this model. The AMS modeler will want to rig this aircraft and perhaps unlock the elevators, but this model will look great on the included beaching dolly or one of the aftermarket catapult display stands.

For a look at this kit built-up, look here.

My sincere thanks to Hasegawa USA for this review sample!