Hasegawa Releases All New 1/72 MV-22B Osprey

Now Available At King's Hobby Shop!

Hasegawa 1/72 MV-22B Osprey USMC

Stock Number:  3260-01571

Price:  $64.95

Fans of the tilt-rotor Boeing / Bell Textron Osprey will be delighted with this all new tooling 1/72 MV-22B from Hasegawa.  Kits of Ospreys are few and far between and with this new release, Hasegawa has set a high mark for a model in any scale of this unique aircraft.

The kit is comprised of 158 parts which are molded in Hasegawa standard light gray plastic.  A typical but extensive Hasegawa water slide decal sheet is provided with markings for two different aircraft and complete technical stenciling.  Subject aircraft are from VMM-165 and VMM-265.  Both birds appear to be in standard low visibility MV-22B Camouflage except for the tails which feature colorful high visibility markings.  The VMM-165 tail is black with yellow trim and features the squadron's unit patch.  The VMM-265 is red with black codes and squadron patch.  Instruction sheet is standard Hasegawa bi-lingual format with Japanese and English.  Illustrated diagrams guide the modeler thru the building sequence with part numbers, painting color call outs, and decal placement.

Exterior details for the model are good and feature engraved panel lines.  I don't have scale drawings for this aircraft so I can't say positively that the kit dimensions are 100% correct, although they appear to be from published dimensions.  Close examination of photos seems to indicate that most external features are present and correct.  Features include FLIR pod, retracted refueling probe,  missile launch detection units at four points for 360 degree coverage, various antennas, and bulged cuffs near the base of the prop-rotors.  The only interior detail in the kit is the cockpit and it is somewhat abbreviated.  Instrument panel, consoles, control sticks, and seats are provided.  Decals provide details for the otherwise flat instrument panel and consoles.  Hasegawa includes two crew figures to fill pilot and co-pilot seats.  The kit is completely devoid of interior detail aft of the cockpit.  No cargo bay detail is included so the rear cargo door can only be displayed up or closed.

Kit options include positionable engine pods, positionable landing flaps, and retracted or extended landing gear.  A flight display stand is included if the engines are displayed in horizontal configuration.  Modelers can easily modify the refueling probe to the extended position by adding appropriate diameter styrene plastic rod or tube.  The kit cannot be built out of the box with folded wings or prop-rotors as would be seen while stored aboard ship.  Modelers may wish to modify the kit to do this, but this would be challenging.

This is a very nice no frills model.  Fans of the MV-22B, or modelers looking for a change of pace will enjoy building and displaying this replica of the first operational tilt-rotor aircraft.  I recommend this kit as the best Osprey to date.

Brad Perry

http://www.bellhelicopter.textron.com/en_US/Military/Bell-BoeingV-22/1291148374339.html#/?tab=highlights-tab

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V-22_Osprey