Platz have teamed up with Eduard to release a highly detailed etched set for the 1/ 48 scale Hasegawa Mitsubishi F-1, aimed at primarily the domestic Japanese market but of great interest for fans of JSDAF jets worldwide.

The set is produced to the high standard we've come to expect from Platz/Eduard and comprises 72 x new parts, a number of which are pre-painted. The set covers primarily the Hasegawa kit's cockpit and undercarriage.

The main instrument panel is replaced with a new 2-layer pre-painted version, along with etched handles. The detail is quite superb, with the tiny dials and displays reproduced to a level that would be impossible to match by painting. The same level of detail continues on the replacement side consoles. The only criticism sometimes raised is that the raised detail on such items is a little shallow - something that obviously becomes more apparent as the scale increases, so the dedicated superdetailer may want to equip him- or herself with some reference photos to add some tiny knobs and switches to the pre-painted fascias.

The kit's ejector seat comes in for a thorough makeover with 18 etched additions, including new headrest and seat-frame details and a multi-part pre-painted harness.

The cockpit sidewalls and sills get etched upgrades and the canopy jack receives a number of delicate additions, while the inside of the canopy benefits from a lock, grab-handles and rear-view mirrors.

Their are a number of extras for the maingear legs - new oleo scissors, along with brackets and retraction arms.

Instructions & conclusion

The assembly guide covers 3 sides of A-4 and is printed in colour with Japanese notes. The modifications are broken down into a logical sequence of "bite-sized chunks" and most of the assembly is pretty self explanatory. A useful list of Model Art Publications references is included.

Despite the fair number of parts included, this isn't an overly complex set of upgrades (perhaps the most fiddly being the modifications to kit parts #27 which require some very delicate surgery) and should be suitable for any modeller with a little experience of working with etched parts. Recommended.

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE.