Hasegawa Kits

[Galaxy_Stranger]

Speaking on Hasegawa kits in general, I'm finding a big jump in price on Amazon right now - some models are $12 and others are $25 in the same scale of the same vehicle.

Is there anything about the $25 versions that's nicer/different?

[Big s]

It can sometimes be just the seller having a higher price. You can sometimes get info about the items depending on the description. Although if it is the same product it's very common to find multiple prices for the same item on Amazon and e bay and other multiple seller sites.

[Galaxy_Stranger]

Well - like Hasegawa will have an F-15 in 1/72 scale for $12. Then there's another Hasegawa F-15 kit in the same scale for $40 - different box art and there's not much more info than that.

Maybe raised panel lines? Would the detail quality be different?

Edited September 19, 2016 by Galaxy_Stranger

[slide]

Well - like Hasegawa will have an F-15 in 1/72 scale for $12. Then there's another Hasegawa F-15 kit in the same scale for $40 - different box art and there's not much more info than that.

Maybe raised panel lines? Would the detail quality be different?

usually it's different or limited decal sets.

because they've been in the game so long though, sometimes the difference is because of newer tooling... try looking for the different kits on hlj or hobbysearch and you may get more info on that particular kit.

Edited September 19, 2016 by slide

[Wiz13688]

This is the one at $12. It's a really old kit made in 1994

http://hlj.com/product/HSGC6

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10000592

and this is the one at $25 is a much newer kit made in 2012

http://hlj.com/product/HSG02015

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10199042

The problem with buying from 3rd party Amazon vendor is that they just list all kind of prices for the same kit so you have no idea which one is overpriced. The only way to be sure is to ask the vendor for the product number then match it up in HLJ or Hobby Search,

Edited September 19, 2016 by Wiz13688

[MechTech]

Yeah, slide covered both points. Sometimes it's the decals or new tooling (which is costly). Usually, HLJ is good about mentioning new tooling, though. Try getting the part numbers and going to Hasegawa's site. That may clear it up for you. Ther good part about 1999.co.jp is that they have sprues pictures. That may give you more clues too. - MT

[kajnrig]

Hasegawa don't often do new toolings of existing models. More often you'll see re-releases with new decals. Usually these don't merit too much of an increase in price at first, but these kits are also almost always limited edition, so the price can get understandably high over time.

[mickyg]

Ah, the F-15 kits! I remember these well. They are different kits! As I recall, the cheaper one is raised panel lines and a much, much older kit with the fitment issues and cruder details that you'd expect.

If you search for differences between old and new Hasegawa 72 scale f-15 kits, you should find a few articles on forums, similar to what you've posted.

Hope that helps.

This is the one at $12. It's a really old kit made in 1994

http://hlj.com/product/HSGC6

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10000592

and this is the one at $25 is a much newer kit made in 2012

http://hlj.com/product/HSG02015

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10199042

The problem with buying from 3rd party Amazon vendor is that they just list all kind of prices for the same kit so you have no idea which one is overpriced. The only way to be sure is to ask the vendor for the product number then match it up in HLJ or Hobby Search,

[NZEOD]

The difference is ones the old one with the raised lines and old style packaging, so its an old kit, old decals. Its fine otherwise. It will have also been purchased at Hasegawas old price so thats why its cheaper.

The other is a newer kit, newer tooling (CnC'd Ali Master Mold), newer packaging (costs more) with a limited run 57th Sqn decal set (more added cost) sold at Hasegawas current price (more expensive) to the retailers.

If you just want an F15 kit, any kit, the first ones fine. The second one would be more for a collector like me that gathers up all versions of VF-1s with all possible sqn markings etc. I end up paying more for those as they are limited runs, like the Moon Shooters, the Black Aces and the Lightnings ones

Edited September 19, 2016 by NZEOD

[Model-Junkie]

Going with the F-15 example, you have the very first release from the 70's with raised panel lines. Then came the engraved panel lined versions in 1988. From 2011 Hasegawa released new variants such as F-15I & F-15SG. Within the last few years they released a true F-15E and F-15C MSIP II variants. Most of the their F-15 releases are just new decals, especially the F-15J's.

Scalemates usually has a good timeline of a particular model kit and covers most/all of their re-releases and sometimes show when they are reboxed by other companies. They even have the VF-1 kit history listed on their website but it is not comprehensive.

Edited September 20, 2016 by Model-Junkie

[Galaxy_Stranger]

Thanks for all the info. Now I know I can track model numbers.

What's the difference when you jump from $25 to $50 and higher?

[NZEOD]

rarity, or greed

[Model-Junkie]

Here is the Hasegawa 1/72 F-15 kit history from Scalemates. Scroll halfway down the page to see the product timeline, it covers all of the F-15 variants released by Hasegawa.

When I was buying a few F-15 kits last year I noticed it was really the new F-15E, F-15SG, F-15I, F-15K and a few 'rare' F-15J kits (for the decals) that were commanding more money.

Are there any particular F-15 boxings you are looking for? I find that Amazon can be hit or miss with model kits. Usually, eBay or online retailers can offer better prices.

[Galaxy_Stranger]

Again, thanks for all the great info - it's already helped me find a specific plane I've been looking for, (which, unfortunaely, is a hundred bucks...). Scalemates is an awesome resource.

I'm not asking for any kit in particular, just using the F-15 as just one example. I bought my first Hasegawa kit a year or so ago and was blown away by the quality. All american kit manufacturers should be ashamed of themselves. Even Moebius.

So lately, I've been seeing these cheap little $12 kits such as this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0017TFMFG/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_15?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A111T5BUDCP21Y

Which is of the 1977 tool?

Then I see this:

https://www.amazon.com/Hasegawa-02070-F-15K-Eagle-Limited/dp/B00F5QOVHM/ref=sr_1_2?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1474483876&sr=1-2&keywords=hasegawa+f-15

Which, I presume is of the 1988 retooled line and hasn't been modified since?

And its like that for several planes that I've been seeing, especially F-14s with all their different squadron decal sheets.

I guess my question is the $12 a good deal, or should I even bother?

[Model-Junkie]

OK, my ID is model Junkie because I had over 1000 model kits and I have been there and research new and old toolings when I bought my kits. I have bought my share of old toolings so be sure to ask away on questions, I can save you the trouble I've gone through.

The first link for the F-15C is the old tool. The F-15K was released within the last few years, one of the reasons why it is expensive plus it contains new parts that are for the F-15E variants. Previous Hasegawa 1/72 F-15E kits were just an F-15D with the prototype CFTs and weapon pylons, it did not represent a true F-15E. The F-15I, F-15SG, F-15K & 2012+ F-15E's all contain the appropriate F-15E CFTs & weapon pylons/racks.

These are the new F-15E's:

http://hlj.com/product/HSGSP323

http://hlj.com/product/HSGE39

http://hlj.com/product/HSG02119

The only kits you need to be wary of are F-15C's, F-15D's and F-15E's as these can be the old tools, and in the case of the F-15E, have engraved panel lines but incorrect parts for the E variant. F-15I, F-15SG, F-15K, F-15J MSIP II, F-15C MSIP II are all new releases and will represent the latest tooling. Any F-15J or F-15DJ with fancy decals should be the engraved kit boxing. Most of the new kits should also have photos of the actual aircraft rather than box art paintings, the only exceptions are the Ace Combat and Idolm@ster boxings.

Your best bet is to search eBay often, I bought a couple of F-15K kits from there for around $25

Most of the Hasegawa 1/72 F-14 kits will be of the new tooling. Again the give away would be the kits having photos of actual aircraft on the box top rather than box art but some releases had artwork such as the VF-1 Wolfpack, F-14A Aggressors and VX-4 Vandy boxings. An alternative to Hasegawa for the F-14 is Fujimi, at least their kits have movable wings whereas Hasegawa limits you to have the wings retracted or extended.

[NZEOD]

model Addict of the MOST EXTREME KIND! Nice

[Galaxy_Stranger]

Thanks so much for all the input!

Someone told me that Tamiya is coming out with a new F-14 that's supposed to be awesome.

[Model-Junkie]

I haven't heard anything recently about a new Tamiya 1/72 F-14, one was announced in 2013 but it turned out to be a reissue of the Italeri kit. Their new 1/72 F-16 is definitely one of the best on the market next to the Revell kit.

Finemolds released the definitive 1/72 F-14D Tomcat last year but it was only available with the Model Graphix magazines. It will be hard to beat the Hasegawa, Fujimi and FM Tomcats, each one are good but do have their downsides.

[Galaxy_Stranger]

Ah - here we go: http://www.tamiyausa.com/items/plastic-model-series-20/1-48-scale-aircraft-20000/grumman-f-14a-tomcat-61114

Freaking expensive!

[Darth Mingus]

It's 1/48.

That's quite a markup from tamiya usa considering the japanese price is 7800 yen.

[Galaxy_Stranger]

And for a few bucks more, Amazon's got 1/32 scale F-14 from Tamiya.

[mickyg]

From what I'm seeing in all the news about this new kit though, it's the best Tomcat ever. And some are saying one of the best engineered and well thought out kits. Period.

[Galaxy_Stranger]

Yeah, that's what someone was telling me.