"The Cockpit" is a World War II anthology film based on Leiji Matsumoto's Battlefield manga. The animated shorts are written and directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri, Takashi Imanishi and Ryousuke Takahashi. Kawajiri's "Slipstream" follows a Luftwaffe pilot on his mission to protect Germany's trump card: the world's first atomic bomb. Imanishi's "Sonic Boom" Squadron explores the last hours of an Yokosuka MXY7 Ohka pilot on August 6, 1945. Takahashi's "Knight of the Iron Dragon" tells the story of two Japanese soldiers in Leyte as they attempt to keep a promise.

From the instructions: "The Messerschmitt Bf 109G-5 and G-6 fighters were produced in parallel and were pressurised and non-pressurised versions of the same Bf 109 variant. Of the two, the Bf 109G-6 was the most widely produced and remained in first line service until the end of WW2. The only externat difference initially between the G-5 and G-6 were the small fresh air intakes found on either side of the windscreen of the non-pressurised G-6. More than 10,000 G-6s were produced during the war, making it the most widely produced Bf 109 variant."

Hasegawa´s Bf 109G-6 is a known model for many modellers. Its ease of assembly, multiple boxes and more or less moderate price (for today), make it an easy decision for someone who would like to have a Bf 109.

The kit comes in a top opening box illustrated by Leiji Matsumoto, in which you can see Captain Harlock climbing out of (or into) his Bf 109G-6.

The model contains 94 pieces, 88 in light grey and 6 clear pieces (canopies etc...). Of the grey pieces, they´re all nicely molded, without a hint of flash (which means Hasegawa´s molds haven´t tired, or they´ve been replaced.

Since the wings were produced also for the F version, you will have to scribe two panel lines (one for each upper wing), right in the middle of the slats area (Hasegawa points out where exactly you have to maki the scribing).

The instructions are of the foldable type, normal of Hasegawa, and have 11 steps in total.

There are two decal options:

1) Luftwaffe, Bf 109G-6 Chevrons and Bars, flown by Phantom F. Harlock II (early markings), painted in RLM 04/70/76/79/80. It comes with a yellow rudder and a yellow nose cone with a black spiral.

2) Luftwaffe, Bf 109G-6 Chevrons "Arcadia," flown by Phantom F. Harlock II (late markings), painted in RLM 04/70/76/79/80. It comes with a yellow rudder and yellow nose with a black spiral.

Not much to say, its the already known (and popular) Hasegawa Bf 109G-6 with new decals and new box. However, if you´re interested in anime, or Leiji Matsumoto, you should pick up this iteration of the kit.

1) Instructions.

2) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cockpit_(OVA)

You can watch the three "The Cockpit" OVAs on YouTube. Just type The Cockpit Slipestream, it´ll be the first result.

Francisco Santoro

September 2017

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