Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA3902A Japan T-4 Trainer “86-5605” 31st TSQ, 1st AW, JASDF

Die-cast metal. Superb detailing in 1/72 scale. Pre-painted with pad applied markings. Fully assembled. Weapons that are not permanently attached. Comes with crew figures Display stand included. Option to display model with wheels up or down. Minimum use of plastic.

The Kawasaki T-4 is a subsonic intermediate jet trainer used by the JASDF. In November 1981 Kawasaki was awarded the contract to produce 220 T-4s with the actual final production number being 212. The aircraft was designed to replace the Lockheed T-33 and Fuji T-1. The first prototype flew on July 29, 1985 with the first production aircraft flying in June 1988 and delivery of the first T-4 to the 31st and 32nd Flying Training Squadrons, 1st Air Wing 3 months later.

Kawasaki T-4 86-5605 was c/n 1005 and was the first production T-4. The T-4 was designed as a replacement for the aging Lockheed T-33. In 1988 the first squadron to receive the new trainers was the 31st Training Squadron (Kikotai) of the 1st Air Wing (Kokudan) based at the Hamamatsu Air Base. The 31st TSQ is named “Blue Dolphin” while the second training squadron the 32nd is named “Red Dolphin”. Hamamatsu Air Base was originally established in 1925. In 1952 it became a flight training school.

Specifications for the Kawasaki T-4 Number Manufactured - 212 Entered Role - 2 seat intermediate jet-trainer Crew - 2 X pilots in tandem Dimensions Length - 42 ft. 8 in. (13 m) Wingspan - 32 ft. 7 in. (9.94 m) Height - 15 ft. 1 in. (4.6 m)

Weight Empty - 8,360 lb. (3,790 kg) Maximum Take-Off - 16,530 lb. (7,500 kg)

Performance Engines - 2 X Ishikawajima-Harima F3-IHI-30 turbofans producing 3,250 lb. (16 kN) of thrust per engine. Maximum Speed - 645 mph (1,038 km/h) Range - 900 nm (1,670 km) Service Ceiling - 49,800 ft. (15,200 m)

Armament 2 X Hardpoints for ASM-2 long-range anti-ship missiles AA-4 Air-to-air missiles Gun Pods Training Bombs (free-falling) 70-mm unguided rockets