1/48 Hasegawa T-4 Trainer

Nippon Dolphin!

by Andy Lee on Dec 29 2003

--------------------

 

Background:

The Kawasaki T-4 was developed as a new generation jet trainer to replace both the T-33 and T-1 in use by the JASDF which were by then becoming obsolete. It first entered service with 31 SQN and later 32 SQN at Hamamatsu AB. The wholly indigenous aircraft incorporated what was cutting edge technology at the time, including extensive use of composites, OBOGS, ring laser gyro AHRS etc... Even the engine was of Japanese design and manufacture. 

In JASDF service, it bridged the gap between initial training on the T-3 prop trainer and before proceeding on to advance training for all its fighter pilots. Even though the T-4 is a very capable and sprightly aircraft, hence it’s use by the Blue Impulse, it has not been developed to its full potential like its more famous counterpart, the BAE Hawk. The reason is that as the JASDF uses the F-15DJ and F-2B as its advanced/ LIFT trainers, there’s no need to have a separate LIFT or advanced trainer and therefore apart frpm drop tanks, the T-4 has no weapons capability. 

Click on images below to see larger images

As well as its training role, a couple of T-4 are on strength with every fighter sqns and ADC HQ for use as squadron hacks. By far the most famous and visible user of the T-4 is the Blue Impulse aerobatics team based at Hamamatsu. Even though the JASDF does not name its aircraft like the USAF, the T-4 is unofficially known as the Dolphin to both pilots and crews due to it’s resemblance to the marine mammal. 

My T-4 is painted in the special markings applied by 306 SQN for the 1996 Senkyo or TAC Air Meet held at Komatsu AB. TAC Air Meets are held every year at different bases and are broadly equivalent to the William Tell/ Gunsmoke competitions. This is one of 2 T-4s painted in the F-1 camo scheme, the other one coming from co-resident 303 SQN. The T-4 from 303 SQN had its 2 green colors reversed but was otherwise of the same pattern.

The Kit:

As with all new kits of JASDF aircraft released by Hasegawa, the extra TLC given really shows with an accurate cockpit and with ultra sharp and superb fitting parts. Also this release had the markings of EVERY T-4 operator as well as individual numbers for the serials included! This means you can build any T-4 you want, just check your reference! I got the panther markings for my Phantom from here. 

Incidentally this was the first kit from Hasegawa to use poly caps for attaching the landing gears and horizontal stabs. I know there have been some grips from modelers about the problems with poly caps but I find it a welcome addition as the attachment pins for this kit was quite big and held the parts very securely. Only problem I had was I attached the tail stabs too early and broke the left stab while washing the kit after decal application. This is consistent with curse of having an accident every time I build a kit! I also broke a stab when I built my Phantom!

Click on images below to see larger images

 I had manipulated the 2 stabs around while painting and applying the decals and they stayed on the whole time. You can’t do that with glued on parts!  So I guess I’m a poly cap believer! I used Gunze’s Surfacer 1000 as a primer prior to painting. The camo is the standard F-1 colors of 2 greens and a light brown with a gray belly of FS32375. I exclusively use Mr Color’s range of paints and this was no different. The colors were 308, 319, 320 and 321. Washing was applied after painting on the panel lines. As I ran out of Humbrol black, I made do with Testors black which was also an enamel paint. Unfortunately it didn’t work as well as Humbrol! 

The kit’s decals were used and the serial number made up according to the info I have. After a couple of semi gloss topcoats, I applied the weathering using pastels, as the special scheme was applied over the standard gray color, I applied less weathering to the camo part than the bottom. A quick spray to seal the pastel and voila! Another JASDF aircraft for my collection completed! 

Probably after this I’ll do some Macross stuff as a break from building so many modern jets this year. Cheers and happy modeling! 

Andy

Click on images below to see larger images

Photos and text © by Andy Lee