Hasegawa RF-4B Phantom II
Ka-9

Manufacturer: Hasegawa	Parts: 11 gray and 1 clear sprue.
Kit No: Ka-9	Panel lines: Engraved
Scale: 1/72nd	Cockpit: Decals.
Type: Injection molded.	Decal options: 3
Decal option 1: RF-4B, BuNo 157342, Modex 00, VMFP-3, US Marines.
Decal option 2: RF-4B, BuNo 153011, Modex 26, VMFP-3, US Marines.
Decal option 3: RF-4B, BuNo 153099, Modex 09, VMCJ-3, US Marines.

Review: After the fighter versions, Hasegawa continued their new Phantom range with the RF-4B Phantom II . This kit for the naval reconnaissance fighter includes both wing types and of course a brand new sprue containing the forward fuselage with the camera windows. A decalsheet with options for 3 aircraft are included.

The construction starts with the cockpit and the forward fuselage. Interieur for the camera bay is included. don't forget to paint the inner fuselage black. After closing up the fuselage the building proces continues with the rear fuselage. Here you need to open a hole and remove the upper pitot tube on the vertical tail. Next are the tailplanes, fincap airintakes and the front fuselage is combined with the back. Take care for which version you are going to build because there are some differences between the three versions, including the type of wings, fincap and the refueling probe. You need to open the holes on the wings for the fuel tanks. Before you place the wing section under the fuselage the engines are added with again two options. The canopy can be build opened or closed. Next is the highly detailed landing gear and finaly the fueltanks and the last small bits including inserts instead of sparrows. As this is a unarmed recce aircraft no weaponpylons and weapons are included.

Three decal options for Marine Corps aircraft are included. The first two are for aircraft of VMFP-3. The first one is a overall FS16440 gray aircraft, with a multi colored tail and large markings. The second aircraft is camouflaged in a three tone gray scheme with FS35237 on top, FS36530 on the sides and the tail surfaces and FS36375 on all lower surfaces. This aircraft has a sharkmouth and low vis markings. The third and final option is for a VMJC-3 aircraft, in the older Light gray over white paint sheme. This aircraft has a red tail and spine with white checkers on the edge.

All together a very complete release with options to build a early and a late style RF-4B. The level of detal is very high and it builds up into a excellent replica, straight out of the box. Due to the options of a early and a late style inlcuded in one box it might be a bit confusing which parts to use, so make clear which option you build and mark these options in the instructions so that you can't mix things up. When you are using aftermarket decals, do some research, and make sure you choose the right version!

Niels Dol