JMSDF F/A-18J

[anthonyp]

Here's the first of the F/A-18's I'll be posting today.  This is an Italeri 1/72 F/A-18C/D, with decals from an ancient Hasegawa F-86 kit, armed with weapons from the Hasegawa JASDF weapons pack.  I liked the aggressor F-15J schemes, and thought this would look pretty good.  The backstory:

This is a Mitsubish license built F/A-18 in service with the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force.  These planes began licensed production in 1989 for use aboard Japan's Kongo class carriers (a smaller Forrestal based design).  The planes have gone on to serve aboard the follow on Shinano class nuclear CVV design, as well as the modified Nimitz design Yamato Class ships.

This particular plane is pictured in 2004.  Armed with two ASSM-2's, two AAM-3's and two AAM-4's.  It's painted similarly to the JASDF's aggressor scheme F-15J's.

[anthonyp]

another view

[anthonyp]

another view

[anthonyp]

underside

[Captain Canada]

Cool ! Would be neat if the Japanese had a good naval air arm again....but you wouldn't do too much Kami work with 30 million dollar aeroplanes !