Platz 1/72 JASDF T-2 CCV

 The XT-2 was redesignated T-2 on 29 August 1973, entering service in 1975, with the first unit, the 21st Hikōtai becoming fully operational on 1 October 1976, with a second squadron, the 22nd Hikōtai following on 5 April 1978, allowing the North American F-86 Sabre to be phased out of the advanced training role. The "Blue Impulse" aerobatic display team of the JASDF re-equipped with the T-2 in the winter of 1981–82. T-2s were also used by a dedicated Aggressor squadron, being replaced by the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle. T-2s were also used as conversion trainers for squadrons operating the Mitsubishi F-1, a development of the T-2.

The T-2 was retired by 2006, being replaced as an advanced trainer by the Kawasaki T-4 and as a conversion trainer by a two-seat version of the Mitsubishi F-2, which had replaced the F-1 in the anti-ship strike/ground attack role.

The T-2 CCV was an experimental Control Configuration Vehicle testbed, built from the third T-2 produced. Includes three canards.

This is not the first kit of this special variant to be offered in this scale. Back in 1983, Hasegawa produced the CCV variant and offered it in at least three different boxings. Your editor build the original boxing quite a while back and found it to be a good kit for the time. Time, however, stands still for no one and recently Platz offered, as did Hasegawa, the T-2 and its single seat derivative, the F-1. By all accounts, this kit has sold very well to the home market, which is where most Japanese companies aim their products.

Like the previous T-2 kit, the cockpit is very nicely done with a dual seat tub. Instrument panels and side consoles have raised detailing and you have decals that you can place over them if you wish. The seat is a single piece and while nicely done, could stand a resin replacement. No harness detail, of course. Both canopies are separate and come with actuating gear. Interestingly, Hasegawa's offering had no rear seat, the rear canopy being painted over. Photos I have found show a fully functional rear cockpit.

Intakes are nice and deep and while there is no blanking plate, one is not really needed. As is the case with every aircraft designed like this, there is a lower section to the fuselage that has to be fit in place. Down there are also dual speed brakes and there are a pair of stabilizing fins that will need the holes opened before installation. The leading edge slats on the one piece upper wing are separate and should be slightly drooped on the ground. The lower wing inserts will need to have pylon mounting holes opened.

Landing gear are relatively complex and Platz has pulled it off well. Though separate, the forward main gear doors are normally closed as is the main nose gear door. There are pylons for the seven weapons locations. Among the things that can be carried under wings are Sidewinders, fuel tanks, ASM-1 missiles, and  CBLS-200 bomb rack. These bits are really not needed for this boxing. In its place, are a couple of fairings for under the wing. The kit also includes the additional canards. For the lower one, a hole needs to be drilled and the instructions clearly show where this needs to be done. The intake mounted canards are a butt fit with the canard fairing being placed on the outer intakes prior to the canards themselves being place. All these additional bits are on the H sprue along with new leading edge slat pieces.

Instructions are well done and provide both Gunze and Model Master paint references. In like with the 'other' CCV kit, all the bright red areas are provided as decals so you do not need to paint these markings. You do have to paint the black canopy surround and the nose anti-glare panel. Unlike the other offering, the insignia are the proper, darker red shade. There is also a full stencil suite and really, two different variations of the scheme are offered. These differences are actually quite minor, but they are part of the aircraft's history so it is nice to have them included. Decals are superbly printed and appear to be quite thin so one will need totake care when applying. I like that the markings that go over the main gear doors are separate, which makes application a snap.

If you like test aircraft or just want something a bit different and kind of neat, then you should seriously consider picking this one up.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_T-2

February 2017

Thanks to www.platzmodel.com for the preview kit. Get yours at this link.