Hasegawa 1/72 CV-22B Osprey JASDF Kit First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

Much has been written about the V-22 Osprey but the aircraft not only worked through its teething problems, it also entered service with the US Air Force as the CV-22B and with the US Marine Corps as the MV-22B. The Osprey has served in combat operatons in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as with Special Operations Command. The aircraft is also on order by Japan to support rapid response to increased tensions over territorial waters and the islands within.

Hasegawa has released the JASDF CV-22B Osprey in 1/72 scale which follows their CV-22B (USAF) and MV-22B releases last year. The kit is molded in light gray styrene and presented on nine parts trees plus two trees of clear parts. Among the features and options in the kit:

• Nice cockpit
• Optional crew figures
• Partial main cabin (see text below)
• Positionable flaps
• Movable propellers
• Movable engines (not synchronized)
• Positionable landing gear
• Optional pilot figure
• Optional display stand

The kit provides marking options for two aircraft:

• CV-22B, 63-4201, Air Rescue Wing, JASDF
• CV-22B, 63-4202, Air Rescue Wing, JASDF

The decals are nicely printed and feature a nice set of airframe stenciling and walkways.

This is a really nice looking kit that isn't complex, so this should be an easy build for most modelers. This will be a fun build for the average modeler and provide some interesting opportunities for the AMS modeler that will want to do that little bit of work to enhance the kit. Either way, this Osprey kit is a welcome addition to scale flight lines everywhere.

My sincere thanks to Hasegawa USA for this review sample!