Platz 1/100 T-4 'Blue Impulse' Kit First Look
By Michael Benolkin
| Date of Review | November 2010 | Manufacturer | Platz |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Douglas T-4 'Blue Impulse' | Scale | 1/100 |
| Kit Number | FF-2 | Primary Media | Styrene |
| Pros | Easy build, nice details | Cons | Nothing noted |
| Skill Level | Basic | MSRP (Yen) | ¥945 |
First Look
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The Kawasaki T-4 is a subsonic trainer designed to replace the Fuji T-1 and Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star. First flown in 1985, this aircraft is a versatile training platform and also serves as a recruiting tool as the main attraction in the six-aircraft 'Blue Impulse' aerial demonstration team.
Here is a beautiful little kit. This is Platz Models' latest release, the T-4 'Blue Impulse' in 1/100 scale. Molded in light white styrene, this kit is presented on three parts trees, plus a single small clear tree. At 1/100 scale, it sits between the 1/72 and 1/144 worlds, but at a nice size and the inclusion of a display stand, you can build all six aircraft and not take much room on your desk or display shelf.
The kit is a simple build with a basic cockpit, three-piece fuselage, plug-in wings and stabilators, and the option of posing the landing gear up or down. With the included display base, gear up is a nice option given the beautiful paint scheme.
Considering the petite size of the model, this kit is rather nicely done. The cockpit detail is limited to the ejection seat that goes under the one-piece canopy and in this scale, that is quite fine.
Painting instructions provide FS numbers as well as the equivalent GSI (Gunze Sangyo), and Model Master Acryl colors. The instructions are in Japanese, but relavant information is translated into English as well.
Markings are provided for all six aircraft:
- T-4, 1, 46-5730, Blue Impulse
- T-4, 2, 26-5804, Blue Impulse
- T-4, 3, 46-5729, Blue Impulse
- T-4, 4, 26-5805, Blue Impulse
- T-4, 5, 46-5726, Blue Impulse
- T-4, 6, 46-5728, Blue Impulse
The decal sheet includes a nice set of maintenance stenciling as well as the primary markings. The decals are printed by Cartograf and I'm impressed that I can read the data quite clearly in this scale.
This is a nicely engineered kit of the T-4 and will be a nice addition to the small-scale modelers' flight lines.
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!