I’m still fairly new at this scale modeling thing, I’ve completed a revell-monogram F-14a, and i’m in the process of completing their other F-14D and F-15C kits shortly. I’ve heard that the hasegawa kits are excellent in detail although a bit pricey.
I figured I’ll stick with the cheaper stuff until I get the hang of it simply because I would hate to ruin a $100 kit cuz of a “mishap” that I could have easily prevented. I’m looking on ebay and what not and came across this hasegawa kit, 1/48 scale, F-16C falcon. I’ve seen them for pretty cheat for a hasegawa kit. Is this worth the 20 bucks or so, or should I keep looking? thanks in advance.
I do beleive this was my first Hasegawa kit way back in the late 80’s. And I do highly reccomend it. Mine had recessed panel lines, a nice weapons assortment, and even a “smoked” canopy. Well worth the $20.
You sound a lot like myself about 10 years ago. I was a Monogram kit maker exclusively, one day I finnaly dipped my toes into Hasegawa kits and I have not been sorry. I’ve also built the Monogram F-14 and F-15- very good kits, However you will be blown away by the Hasegawa F-14 series!
By the way, I"d skip the Monogram F-14D kit, it’s just a rip-off of their -A kit and not at all accurate. Keep it for spare parts and get the Hasegawa F-14D.
The kit is well worth 20 bucks. But be careful, once you start down the Hasegawa/Tamiya path there is no turning back. Before long you’ll have to have the resin cockpit and the photoetched detail sets and then AMS will have you in its grip (Advanced Modelers Syndrome). [:)] All kidding aside though, the Hasegawa F-16s are the nicest ones out there and if you don’t end up winning the auction I may have one I could sell ya.
Any hasegawa kit is well worth the price. Hasegawa and Tamiya are two of the best kitmakers out there. Hasegawa’s kits really aren’t all that expensive, considering what you get.
I can’t comment on this particular kit being a good one - the comments above seem to imply that it is. I am currently building the F-16CJ Weapons School kit from Hasagawa and find it to be quite nice.
If you are looking for a recent Hasagawa kit, I don’t think this is one. I cannot tell you specifically when this kit was made, but by what I see on the box this is not a currently deployed US F-16C fighter. The tail marking is not currently in use to my knowledge, and you can also see that the AIM-9s are on the wing rail, which is an older way to loadout this weapon type. I cannot see other weapons that this kit might include. You may want to send a question to the seller if you are interested in what bombs/missiles this kit includes.
I simply mention these these because they might be important to you, They would be to me. Of course you can buy after market decals and Hasagawa’s “aircraft weapons” kits to bring it up to date. By doing this you extend the price of the kit by at least $22 bucks.
I can say that from my shopping around at hobby stores and the 'net, most Hasagawa F-16 kits are in the $20-25 range. This is my current area of interest and I’ve done a lot of shopping for Hasagawa F-16s recently.