Hasegawa

1/48 F-15DJ Eagle 'Aggressor 2008'

Kit Number: 09832

Reviewed by  Rich Marchiafava, IPMS# 39230

MSRP: $69.99 Review sample from Dragon Models USA: Website: www.dragonmodelsusa.com Japan is one of the few countries that has the luxury of operating the Boeing F-15 Eagle. Not only does it operate in the defensive role, but also like the United states in the Aggressor role. Japan also uses these aircraft in the test and evaluation role. Hasegawa has just released the F-15DJ in aggressor markings. The kit has 11 sprues of grey shiny brittle styrene, a single sprue of clear parts, a fret of photo-etch for the feather-less tail pipes and lastly a beautifully printed set of decals for 3 different aircraft. Now lets get down to building it. I'm a little disappointed that Hasegawa couldn't give us a new mold. This is the same mold they've had for a long time. What's really disappointing is the fact that on the bottom of the fuselage they give you decals to simulate the chaff and flare dispensers. The kit gives you (2) 600-gallon external fuel tanks, (4) Sidewinders and (4) Sparrow missiles although the instructions say not for use once painted will be a decent representation of armament. There are extra cockpit parts here too. Make sure you use the correct rear instrument panel for the D version and not the Strike Eagle version. Assembly is straightforward with minimal filling and once completely assembled looks impressive with its sharp molding and engraved panel lines. The cockpit is molded in relief so after a wash and some dry brushing the instrument panel will come to life. The featherless tail pipes are a little tedious to complete but once painted and washed look very realistic. The clear canopy and windscreen have a mold line running along the top of them. These parts need to be sanded and polished for them to look better. So you see this is really the same old F-15 that's been around for a while. They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but with a new paint job and some decals you can make them look like a different Eagle I would like to thank Dragon Models USA and Hasegawa for our review copy.