Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA3904 Japan T-4 Trainer “Red Dolphin” 26-5808, 32nd TSQ, JASDF, Hamamatsu A.B..

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.

The Japan T-4 Trainer 26-5808 was built in 2002 c/n 1208 is assigned to the 32nd TSQ (Training Squadron / 1st Air Wing) at JASDF Hamamatsu AB. First established in 1925 Hamamatsu became a flight training school in 1952. Japan has two Training squadrons located at Hamamatsu, the 31st named Blue Dolphin and the 32nd named Red Dolphin. The dolphin is a reference to a mythical dolphin like creature called Shachihoko so these squadrons have adopted it as part of their emblem and squadron names.'

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