The Hasegawa Corporation (株式会社ハセガワ, Kabushiki Gaisha Hasegawa) is a Japanese company that manufactures plastic model kits of a variety of vehicles, including aircraft, cars, ships, military vehicles, model armor, model space craft, and science fiction kits.
Based in Shizuoka, Hasegawa competes against its neighbor, Tamiya, though it does not have as large a line of products.
Primarily using polystyrene, Hasegawa kits are typically regarded as very accurate, but without quite the ease-of-assembly that Tamiya kits offer, though of very high standard nonetheless.[citation needed] Currently,[when?] Hasegawa kits are imported into North America by Hobbico's Great Planes Model Distributor division.[citation needed] Hasegawa ended their long-time agreement with Dragon Models Limited for US distribution in early 2010. Hasegawa also imports Revell kits into Japan and sells them under both the Revell brand and its own brand label, and Revell frequently re-boxes Hasegawa kits for the European and North American markets.
Lacking their own lineup of paint products, Hasegawa kits come with instructions that specify the use of Gunze Sangyo products, most notably paints in the GSI Creos brand. This is in contrast to Tamiya, who specifies the use of its in-house brands.
Hasegawa is noted for releasing a large number of minor variations of their major products, often adding or modifying a small number of parts, or only changing the decals for the kit. This strategy allows them to maximize their return on their investment in kit tooling quicker, as such minor variations cost little to produce compared to the cost of manufacturing the original. Most such variations are usually only released once.
History
In 1941, the Hasegawa factory opened as a manufacturer of wooden teaching materials, such as a woodwork models. It entered into the plastic model field in 1961, with its first plastic model "glider" airplane models. In the following June 1962, the "1/450 battleship Yamato" was released after high development costs and became a success with about 150,000 units sold in the same year, and continuing success in the following years. The profitable line of 1/90 F-104 Starfighter and 1/70 P-51 Mustang model kits became the turning point which prompted Hasegawa to turn away from woodwork models and to plastic models completely.
Product Lines
Aircraft
1/48 Scale Aircraft
Hasegawa was a latecomer to the field of 1/48 scale aircraft, and its efforts may be seen as a response to Tamiya's strong presence through the 1970s and 1980s.
The line consists of World War II and modern military aircraft, most of which are fighters like the
and various other aircraft from both Japanese and foreign manufacturers.[1]
In the 1980s a small line of 1/48 business jets was produced then later discontinued.[2]
Hasegawa usually release many different versions of kits produced from the same mould tool. As an example, Hasegawa released the Messerschmitt Bf109E-3 (No. J001:1500) in 1988.[3] Over the years, around 100 versions of this kit has emerged in the stores with some minor changes in decals, extra parts or boxart.[4]
List of all Hasegawa 1/48 Aircraft
Kit number
Model
Release year
In production
Comment
07201
SH-3H Sea King
1992
Yes
-
07202
HSS-2B Sea King
1992
Yes
Rebox of 07201 with new parts
07203
F-18D Hornet "Night Attack"
1993
Yes
Rebox with new parts
07204
F-4EJ kai Super Phantom
1993
Yes
-
07205
F-15J Eagle w/AAM-3 air to air missile
199
Yes
-
07206
F-4J Phantom II 'Show Time 100'
1995
Yes
-
07207
F-4EJ Kai Super Phantom
1995
Yes
-
07208
F-4E Phantom II `30th Anniversary´
1995
Yes
-
07209
F-4G Phantom II `Wild Weasel´
1995
Yes
-
07210
F-4B/N Phantom II 'Midway Bicentennial'
1995
Yes
-
07211
F-4C/D Phantom II 'Egypt I'
1995
Yes
-
07212
F-14D Tomcat `CVW-14´
1995
Yes
-
07213
F-86F-30 Sabre `U.S. Air Force´ [U.S. Air Force Fighter]
EA-18G Growler [U.S. Navy Carrier-Borne ECM Aircraft]
2011
Yes
Rebox
*Incomplete list. Please add more kits.
1/72 Scale Aircraft
This has traditionally been Hasegawa's main product line, and that which the company is best known for.[citation needed] It consists almost entirely of World War II and modern military aircraft, primarily fighter and attack aircraft, with some larger bombers and multi-engined examples. At times the line has included re-releases of kits manufactured by Frog and Monogram, as well as other minor specialty brands.
Hasegawa, like many of its competitors, produces a nearly complete lineup of Imperial Japanese Air Force and Navy types from World War II. Notably, the company's product line includes every variant of the Mitsubishi A6M Reisen Zero fighter. Among modern types, the company specialises in types found in the JASDF, to cater for local Japanese modellers. Hasegawa's kits of modern military aircraft are often considered by hobbyists the definitive kit of given types. Unlike most of its competitor's, Hasegawa's modern military aircraft are packaged with minimal weaponry. Hasegawa produce a number of aircraft weapon sets which must be purchased separately.
Hasegawa often releases limited-run kits in this line (as well as 1/48) which feature special decal sets, often for timely subjects; examples include the Navy OneS-3 Viking, and the F-4 Phantom, F-15J Eagle and F-2AViper Zero kits representing the winners of the JASDF's annual gunnery competitions. Sometimes these reissues are of models that have been long discontinued, or include two kits in a single box. As such releases are aimed at connoisseur modelers, they are usually priced twice as much as the corresponding standard kit or higher yet.
Included in its aircraft selection are some Science Fiction types, specifically of the Macross series Valkyrie transformable fighters, which are modelled in their jet-fighter forms (see below).
1/32 Scale Aircraft
Considered[according to whom?] among the best in this scale as well, these kits depict mainly World War II fighter aircraft, with a few modern jets and a few oddities such as the Fieseler Fi 156 Storch military liaison plane. Notably, the Mitsubishi Zero A6M5 model was created under the supervision of Jiro Horikoshi,[citation needed] designer of the actual craft.
List of all Hasegawa 1/32 Aircraft
Kit number
Model
Release year
In production
Comment
08879
P-40E Warhawk
2008
Yes
-
08880
Nakajima Ki44-II Hei Shoki (Tojo) (Japanese Army Fighter)
2009
Yes
-
08881
Messerschmitt Bf109F-4 Trop
2010
Yes
-
08882
Mitsubishi J2M3 Raiden (Jack) Type 21 (Japanese Navy Interceptor)
Since the mid-70's, Hasegawa has produced four kits in this series, museum quality skeleton models of early 20th century aircraft. The kits, of exceptional quality, use a variety of woods, metals, brass, plastic, rubber, and other materials. The kit issued are of the following aircraft:
With the initial Fokker DR.I harking back to Hasegawa's wooden kit days (see above), the kit has a wooden structure augmented by cast brass and molded plastic components. the kit was first introduced in the 1970s,[30] and has seen sporadic re-issue since then.
The 1/8 Museum Series kits are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts, commanding high prices when sold as retail items, or when auctioned online.[citation needed]
In 2013 and 2014, Hasegawa has also released selected sub-assemblies from these kits as stand-alone models. Examples include the Rotary engines from the Fokker Dr.I and Sopwith Camel, and the Spandau and Lewis machine guns from these kits respectively.
Cars
1/12 Scale Automobiles
Hasegawa produced kits of at least two cars in this large scale: the Nissan300ZX and the MazdaRX-7.
1/24 Scale Automobiles
Hasegawa has found success in producing kits of subjects that were somewhat ignored[citation needed] by the larger model manufacturers. The quality of these kits can vary from very simple construction with few details, to those with very high fidelity, rivaling Tamiya or Revell's best efforts.[citation needed] Many kits include photo-etched parts, and some have been released as "Super Detail" versions, featuring additional photo-etched and white metal parts.
Hasegawa's automotive selection is made up of several categories, including:
Historic Racing featuring winning cars from their respective events. Many of these are race versions of cars available in the Historic Car line. Examples include Toyota 2000GT "1967 Fuji 24 Hour Race Winner," Nissan Bluebird 1600 SSS "1970 Safari Rally Winner" and Datsun Fairlady 240Z "1971 Safari Rally Winner."
Racing Car features various Group C race cars, including versions of the Jaguar XJR-8LM, the Porsche962, the Sauber Mercedes C9 and the Toyota 88C, as well as various Formula 1 cars including the Ferrari 642, Benetton Ford B191B, and Williams Renault FW14B.
Hasegawa has produced various of kits of the following motorcycles in 1/12 scale:
Honda NSR 250
Honda NSR 500
Honda RS250
Honda VT 250
Kawasaki KH400
Kawasaki KR250
Kawasaki Mach III
Suzuki GSX-R 750
Suzuki GT380
Suzuki RG400 Gamma
Yamaha RZ250
Yamaha TZR250
Yamaha YZR500
Takeshi Hongo's motocycle
Robin's Redbird (Batman and Robin)
Military
1/72 Scale Armor
Also called the "Minibox" series, this features military vehicles (mostly World War II, with a few modern) designed to be compatible with the 1/72 aircraft. The series was released in the 1970s and is still being produced today.
Ships
1/350 Scale Ships
Hasegawa has produced various of kits of the following IJN ships in 1/350 scale:
Aircraft carrier Akagi
Battleship Mikasa
Battleship Nagato-class
Destroyer Kagero-class
Destroyer Shimakaze
Escort carrier Casablanca-class
Escort carrier Hiyo-class
Light cruiser Agano-class
Seaplane tender Akitsushima
There are also other ships such as:
Submarine Ohio-class
Icebreaker Soya Research vessel Soya
Ocean liner Hikawa Maru-class
1/700 Scale Waterline Ships
Hasegawa 1/700 scale Type VIIc U-Boat
Hasegawa has produced various of kits of the following IJN ships in 1/700 scale:
Aircraft carrier Akagi
Aircraft carrier Essex-class
Aircraft carrier Hiryu
Aircraft carrier Kaga
Aircraft carrier Zuihō-class
Battlecruiser Kongo-class
Battleship Ise-class
Battleship Mikasa
Destroyer Asashio-class
Destroyer Izumo-class
Destroyer Kongo-class
Destroyer Momi-class
Destroyer Mutsuki-class
Destroyer Wakatake-class
Destroyer Yugumo-class
Destroyer escort Abukuma-class
Escort carrier Hiyo-class
Heavy cruiser Aoba-class
Heavy cruiser Furutaka-class
Heavy cruiser Myoko-class Nachi-class
Light cruiser Tenryū-class
Hasegawa has produced various of kits of submarines in 1/700 scale:
Submarine Kaidai-class
Submarine Type D
Submarine Type IX
Submarine Type VII
Other:
Ocean liner Hikawa Maru-class
Battleship South Dakota-class
1/150 Scale Trolleys
Hasegawa sells ready-to-run model trolleys under the Modemo brand in 1:150 scale, of both Japanese and American prototypes.
Though definitely not "true scale" models, Hasegawa also produces a line of small aircraft called Egg Planes. On the box they are described as "grade-A jumbo scale".
They feature an egg-shaped distorted interpretation of a real world aircraft, such as the P-51 mustang, SR-71 blackbird, and the Space Shuttle. The kits have a relatively low parts count and are designed to provide recreational enjoyment.
These kits were first introduced in Easter 1972 (Air Enthusiast, section Model Enthusiast, April 1972), and their range was limited to the first three models discussed above. In the 1980s, 1990's and 2000's, Hasegawa has increased the range to mirror successful models in their more formal scale model ranges in 1:72. Subjects today include a wider range of World War II fighters, modern combat aircraft, helicopters, and even Macross Valkyries.
