Hobby Master JASDF F-2B

Sachiel · 03-22-2011, 03:11 PM

Despite all our desires for more 4th Generation fighter jets from Hobby Master, followed by the recent announcement that F15s, F16s and F18s are in the works, I still find it stunning that nobody here has ever bothered to post a thread informing us of Hobby Master's JASDF F-2A and F-2B releases. Let alone a review.

I've taken the liberty of ordering one of these babies, the F-2B double seat variant to get a little taste of what a Hobby Master 4th generation fighter model will look like. Might give us a better idea of what the F-16 HM model will look like too.

Also as everyone here may be aware, the Japanese were hit by a devestating Earthquake and Tsunami and as bad fortune would have it, the Matsushima Air Base, the primary outpost for the country's F-2B fighters was hit hard. Incidentally, the F-2B HM model is modelled after an aircraft that was based at that same Tsunami hit airfield. Hence my interest was raised in owning a piece of history...

Pics below of the Tsunami and devestated jets.

For those not too familiar with the Japanese Air Self Defense Force's F-2 Multi-role fighter, its simply a variant of the F-16 Fighting Falcon. One that has a 25% larger wingspan, redesigned landing gear, domestic japanese avionics and phased array radar in its nose cone.

I have my own copy of HM's F-2B model on the way. I'll give a full photo review in this thread once it arrives and i've had a chance to inspect it. Most places have sold out of the model and so Ebay may be the only way to go. Even there its getting rare.... Apparently not too many importers outside of Japan ordered this one....

mar_ji · 03-22-2011, 03:29 PM

in my opinion...one reason why F-2 isnt popular is beacause lots of collectors see this jet as a pure variant of the F-16, and now that HM announced the production of the original F-16, there would sure be a big run for it....collectors presume that HMs version will be a lot better than Wittys....and same for the upcoming of F-15 and F-28

CarbonPlane · 03-22-2011, 03:57 PM

IMO, the F-2 isn't really the same as a F-16. Don't get me wrong, the F-2 is based on the F-16 but it's not like a F-16 in JASDF markings. There are differences like you posted. I think this is enough to put collectors off buying the F-2 as a 'F-16'

At the end of the day, it's just my opinion so if you like the F-2, don't let anyone stop you

SuperKungFu · 03-22-2011, 04:45 PM

I like the F-2A and F-2B, here's a picture of both of them together

it looks better on the Witty Wings F-104 stand

AIRWOLF · 03-22-2011, 05:10 PM

The reason why it hasn't been mentioned much is simply because this board is English language based, there's not as much interest in the JASDF, and the F-2 fighter is exclusive to Japan. If you go to a Japanese board, you can be sure there was lots of talk about it.

The F-2 models seem to be good sellers since HM is releasing a steady stream of them. Though for some reason, they only released 1 two-seater and the rest are the single-seaters.

I have several in my collection. I really dig the blue-on-blue camo and the aircraft shape is gorgeous. Granted it's a modified F-16 design, but I think it's different enough to be judged on its own.

ANA Mohican · 03-22-2011, 05:49 PM

I believe F-2's target market was meant for Japanese collectors. First batch sold out quickly in Japan. However, many collectors, myself included, questioned the accuracy of the color. Nevertheless, I bought both A & B.

"A" version pictured.

Sachiel · 03-22-2011, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarbonPlane

IMO, the F-2 isn't really the same as a F-16. Don't get me wrong, the F-2 is based on the F-16 but it's not like a F-16 in JASDF markings. There are differences like you posted. I think this is enough to put collectors off buying the F-2 as a 'F-16'

At the end of the day, it's just my opinion so if you like the F-2, don't let anyone stop you

Oh I wont let you guys stop me from investing in an F-2 model, because i have already. But im just awestruck at how few people here in these forums and elsewhere on the internet have bothered posting reviews or talked about these japanese planes. Its not that the F-2 has to look exactly like an F-16, but man are collectors that iffy about the details?

I mean you hear enough about Russian Migs, Sukhois, and other variant jets from Europe or the middle east, but why no love for stuff from Japan?
Well whatever, I'll make it a point then to give the best darn review out there for this model once i get it. Because at this point, it seems like noone else will.

Eagle Driver · 03-22-2011, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sachiel

but man are collectors that iffy about the details?

I mean you hear enough about Russian Migs, Sukhois, and other variant jets from Europe or the middle east, but why no love for stuff from Japan?
Well whatever, I'll make it a point then to give the best darn review out there for this model once i get it. Because at this point, it seems like noone else will.

In answer to your first question - yes. Have we not already seen one 'collector' banging on about turbine blades, plastic tails, moving stabilisers, oxygen hoses, plastic aerials, metal nozzles, variable nozzles, cooling fairings???

Joking aside, my guess is Russian MiGs and Sukhois aren't copies of anything. As mentioned the F-2 is a 'copy' of a F-16 and the F-1 is a copy of a Jaguar. Had the designs of these planes been Mitsubishi's own unique versions then their popularity might be greater.

One could easily ask why isn't there more love for the Argentine Skyhawk? You hardly see any reviews for this model, unless I've been looking in the wrong place

By the way, there's some really great photos in this thread, most impressive

mar_ji · 03-22-2011, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sachiel

Oh I wont let you guys stop me from investing in an F-2 model, because i have already. But im just awestruck at how few people here in these forums and elsewhere on the internet have bothered posting reviews or talked about these japanese planes. Its not that the F-2 has to look exactly like an F-16, but man are collectors that iffy about the details?

I mean you hear enough about Russian Migs, Sukhois, and other variant jets from Europe or the middle east, but why no love for stuff from Japan?
Well whatever, I'll make it a point then to give the best darn review out there for this model once i get it. Because at this point, it seems like noone else will.

OK, Sachiel...we are all waiting your review of the F-2, it sounds interesting if youre really decided....its for the good of everyone here on the forum to read some detailed review from you......

Tamizi TS · 03-22-2011, 09:22 PM

Looks good; And sad to see some of the JASDF F-2s were damaged due to recent Tsunami incident.

gospodin · 03-22-2011, 09:43 PM

I had to get the F-2, it's a beefy F-16 variant and much better looking IMO. Whenever we license a fighter to be built in Japan, they improve on it...we ought to send them some F-22s and see what they do with them!

On the subject of the damaged F-2s, I wonder if the planes are salvageable...I should think that they could be stripped down and refurbished, new engines and electrical/hydraulics. Or maybe that would be too expensive versus the value of the aircraft. Wouldn't make much sense to spend $10-$15 million on a $25 million aircraft.

SuperKungFu · 03-22-2011, 10:36 PM

Those damaged F-2s actually look pretty intact considering what they went through. Not even the canopy is cracked. But yea they would need to be fully inspected before flying again.

gospodin · 03-22-2011, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperKungFu

Those damaged F-2s actually look pretty intact considering what they went through. Not even the canopy is cracked. But yea they would need to be fully inspected before flying again.

Submersion in salt water can't be good for them.

Sachiel · 03-22-2011, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gospodin

Submersion in salt water can't be good for them.

Amen to that! Supposedly, those that were submerged in water 18 F-2Bs are all deemed to be damaged beyond repair. These jets will simply have to be scrapped for spare parts. Water probably entered the all the crevices in the landing gear, turbine fans and engine as well.... Shame... Especially since Japan only ordered 47 of these variants. Now they're left with 29. I wonder....of those that have been destroyed does it include 109? The F-2B jet that HM recreated as a diecast model?

Dani72 · 03-23-2011, 08:36 AM

Sachiel... these pics are impressive. what shame!

I have the XF-2A and looks awesome! I love F-16's shape.
I think that XF-2 is a little more big that F-2, isn't it?

my next buy will be the orange "mar_ji" F-16 and this blue japanese F-2.