Hasegawa

[PR19_Kit]

Yes, the YS-11 did use Darts, and the whole thing looks a close cousin to an Avro 748 stretched a tad. One of my Airliner Sig buddies converted a YS-11 to a 748, he figured it was easier than building the Welsh Models vacform.

[Weaver]

"1st Production" YS-11 in 1/144th. With the Dart(?) engines, it could easily be passed off as, or contribute to,  some British project. Not cheap at £25 but then this is Planet Hasegawa...

More like Planet Hannants  :
http://www.hlj.com/product/HSG10678?r=slw409ip

Oh there are cheaper retailers in the UK too, it's just that they don't send out a nice weekly newsletter.....

[Maverick]

Hasegawa's US Weapons set No 8 is up for review in 72nd.

Just the thing to populate those bare bones kits of theirs 

http://ipmsdeutschland.de/FirstLook/Hasegawa/Hasegawa_Aircraft_Weapons_VIII/Has_Aircraft_Weapons_VIII.html

Regards,

Mav

[Mossie]

It's bit light on dangly bits itself, only four types.  I've noticed that on recent Hase Weapons sets, they include the pylons to bump up the list a bit.

[Maverick]

Perhaps they're going 'bare bones' with their weapons sets as well??

Gotta love commerce.

Regards,

Mav

[ChernayaAkula]

It's bit light on dangly bits itself, only four types.  I've noticed that on recent Hase Weapons sets, they include the pylons to bump up the list a bit.

Interesting observation regarding the number of types. Because in case of the AAM set, I actually thought it was great they give you that many AIM-120Cs. Twelve AMRAAMs will go along way equipping many models. I think that's a lot better than the earlier set that gave you just six - forcing you to buy two sets, resulting in loads of left-overs (CBU-87, AGM-84E, AGM-119...). Or take Skunkmodels' 1/72 Israeli weapons set. I'd rather have had six or eight Python 4s and only two each Rafael SPICE and AN/AXQ-14 instead of four of each.
Would you prefer incorrect pylons?

I just think it's sad Hasegawa went for a solid grey plastic Sniper XR in the Aircraft Weapons IX set. That one could've used a clear part to look, well, the part.

[Mossie]

I have a different approach, I don't tend to build a lot of the same type, so I prefer a wider range of ordnance.  Granted, the wider the range, the less you get of a given type but this increases the appeal for me.

You also get four sprues in the early sets (I-IV) but only three in the later sets & pay more.  As for the pylons, if they're specific to a type, you can usually find them in a kit, just not Hasegawa ones.  And since I'm whiffing, it doesn't worry me!

[Maverick]

For myself, I prefer variety rather than numbers.  I tend to 'collect' ordnance, no just for hanging it off kits, so choice is good whilst quantity is bad.  I'd actually love one-off type weapons and the like, rather than 50 AMRAAMS or AIM-9s.  I also agree about the pylons.  Unless they're specific for a weapon or store (like the LANTIRN's etc) or something like a MER or TER, why put them in, given that the same pylon is most likely in the kit.  That is, of course, unless Hasegawa has intentions of not supplying pylons next (which wouldn't surprise me!).

Either way, I'd prefer accurate weapons, rather than vauge shapes that have been the norm for many kits (including Hasegawa).

Regards,

Mav

[ChernayaAkula]

I'm also for varied loads. But even with the most varied ground-pounding load-outs, a couple of AAMs (usually AIM-120s) are usually in the mix. That's why I, for one, like the twelve AMRAAMs.

The Hasegawa kits have pylons. Just in some cases, those supplied with the kits are kinda outdated. Take their 1/72 F-15, F-16 and F/A-18 A-D (which these weapon sets are mainly aimed at), for example. Those kits are more than twenty years old. Of course they don't have AMRAAM or Litening pylons. Newer pylons have been fielded in the meantime and Hasegawa's weapons sets reflect that.
Yes, you could argue that since we're whiffing, what does it matter? You could just as well argue that if you stick on accurate weapons, you might also want to have accurate pylons. And in the end, you can't really blame Hasegawa for catering to the "standard" modeller, and not just us few whiffers.

Yes, the newer sets are a tad more expensive than the older ones (bear in mind that the older sets are close to thirty years old!), but what, realistically, are your options? Resin? Scratch-building? Robbing another kit?
The Aircraft Weapons VIII set has three AN/ALQ-188 threat simulator/jamming pods - just one of those by Wolfpack Design costs more than Hasegawa's set of three (plus AAMs, pylons,...).

[Maverick]

Quite valid points Moritz, but it does bring up the spectre of Hasegawa re-releasing ancient kits as allegedly 'new' with a decal update only.  Their legacy Hornets for instance are deplorable, but are still trotted out on a regular basis.  If they were that keen, one might suggest they'd toss in a sprue of valid pylons for specific 'standard' weapons like AMRAAM.  But, of course, if they did that, the kit would be 'super limited edition' and double the already over-inflated price.

Regards,

Mav

[Mossie]

And in the end, you can't really blame Hasegawa for catering to the "standard" modeller, and not just us few whiffers.

Yes, that's more than fair enough.  We do our own thing & we're a realtively small bunch, in general I think the industry has done well in realeasing a handful of what-if kits & obscure types in mainstream plastic.

I must admit my attention to detail is quite lacking compared to most of the modelling community.  I probably wouldn't be able to tell if a pylon was inaccurate unless it was glaringly different!

[Howard of Effingham]

whilst we are on the subject of hase' 1/72 weapons sets.....

the ALQ-184 available in the latest set was also available in a previous one. are there two different lengths for this pod?

i was delighted to see the ALQ-188 pod included, but didn't realise the price of an aftermarket resin one! ouch!

[JayBee]

Yes there are two different lengths for the ALQ-184. Short and long are the official designations.
The first Hasegawa release was the short pod.

Jim

[ChernayaAkula]

Quite valid points Moritz, but it does bring up the spectre of Hasegawa re-releasing ancient kits as allegedly 'new' with a decal update only.  Their legacy Hornets for instance are deplorable, but are still trotted out on a regular basis. <...>

The thing about the decal update is that it IS a decal update. It isn't meant to be anything else but a decal update.
While it may not matter a lot to whiffers, to real world builders they're sometimes a godsend (especially in 1/72). The countless re-releases dramatically increase the range of markings available to modellers. The aftermarket can't (or at least won't) release every scheme for every squadron in use (again: especially so in 1/72).
Revell's 1/72 Super Hornet has a high-vis VFA-137 Kestrels and a low-viz VFA-105 Gunslingers option. That's it. No further options from them. Hasegawa has most Super Hornet squadrons covered, even oddballs like the VX-31 Dust Devils boss bird.
I've sold off most of my Hasegawa Legacy Hornets (replaced with Academy Hornets), but kept a couple just for the decals. Academy's F/A-18C only has one Marine Air and two Navy options. I don't intend to build any of the three versions included, so for decals, it's either aftermarket or Hasegawa.
The same goes for their other modern jets (well, any of their decal re-releases). Some types or air forces just don't garner enough interest from the aftermarket guys. Hasegawa's re-releases will be your only option.
Take their JASDF re-releases. If you're not into JASDF stuff you'll say, meh, just another "one option only" rip-off. If you do like JASDF schemes, you'll pre-order them once they're announced.

<...> I probably wouldn't be able to tell if a pylon was inaccurate unless it was glaringly different!

In most cases and right off the bat, me neither.  
In some cases they are needed for lack of alternative (F-16 chin pylons, for example) and in case of the LAU-127s in the recent set, they're also needed to make the dual launchers.

<...> the ALQ-184 available in the latest set was also available in a previous one. are there two different lengths for this pod? <...>

Yes, there are.   Don't know any specifics, but you'll often see these referenced as "short" or "long" ALQ-184s. I reckon it has to do with capability upgrades, but I'm not sure.

[Maverick]

Moritz, I disagree that Hasegawa markets them as 'decal updates' only.  Every advertisement I've seen of a rewarmed Hornet/Falcon, etc has been on of 'New', even so far as being added in 'upcoming' lists.  Whether that is a good thing or not, is an individual opinion, but I'd be surprised if aftermarket companies weren't doing many of the same and with a higher level of detail and with greater decalling information to boot.

Regards,

Mav