Hasegawa Grumman EA-6B Prowler
K-14

Manufacturer: Hasegawa	Parts: 4 gray & 1 clear tinted sprue's.
Kit No: K-14	Panel lines: Engraved
Scale: 1/72nd	Cockpit: Decals.
Type: Injection molded	Decal options: 2
Decal option 1: EA-6B, BuNo 158805, Modex 621, VAQ-131, USS Kitty Hawk, US Navy, 1977/78.
Decal option 2: EA-6B, BuNo 158030, Modex 620, VAQ-134, USS Enterprise, US Navy.

Review: This is one of the first Prowler releases from Hasegawa, dating back to the late seventies. This the first real kit of this electronic counter measures aircraft, the first one being the "toyish" Matchbox kit. So the release of this kit was a real step forward! Inside the top opening box you will find 4 light gray sprues and 1 clear / smoked canopy sprue. The panel lines are very delicate and engraved. The detail inside is a bit simple, and more in the style of the older Hasegawa kits.

The construction of this kit starts with the cockpit section which is quite simple and lacks some detail. Decals are only provided for the main instrument panels. After placing the cockpit between the main fuselage halves, these are glued together, and the lower fuselage is put on it's place. Next are the airintakes and the engine outlets, the two part wings and the tailplanes. The landing gears are tackeled next, as is the arrestor hook. Before you add the nosecone it might be wise to add some weight, altough nothing is mentioned in the instructions about this. Pilot steps, aerials and the inflight refuling probe are next, and with the addition of the canopy the airframe itself is complete. The final stage is for the underwing stores. Here you can choose between fuel tanks and 2, 3 or 5 ECM pods, depending on how many fueltanks are used.

Two decal options are provided. The first one is for a VAQ-131 "Lancers" aircraft on the USS Kitty Hawk during 1978. The second option is for a VAQ-134 "Garudas" aircraft on the USS Kitty Hawk also during 1978. Both aircraft are Light Gull Gray over white and feature the hugh visibility markings.

Although this kit is a great improvement to any other prowler kit, and the outer detail is great, the cockpit and wheelbay detail are lacking. At least a set of replacement seats will add some more detail. The overall fit is good. With two colorful decaloptions provided this kit builds up into a excellent replica of a early service Prowler.

Niels Dol