1:72 SHINMEIWA US-1 "RESCUE IVORY"

ShinMeiwa US-1 Rescue Ivory in 1:72 from Hasegawa

This is a plastic kit of the ShinMeiwa US-1 amphibious rescue aircraft in 1:72 scale from the Japanese brand Hasegawa. The box labels the release as Rescue Ivory, that is the color scheme of the rescue service. The extent of the decals and the number of parts are not stated here; check the contents of the package on the box.

The real subject

The ShinMeiwa US-1 is a Japanese amphibious aircraft for search and rescue, brought into service with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) in the 1970s. It derives from the PS-1 patrol flying boat and is designed to land on the rough surface of the open sea. It has a high-mounted wing, four turboprop engines and a boundary layer control system that gives it a short takeoff and a very low stall speed. It is exactly this combination that makes the US-1 an unusual subject, one that stands out in a collection of military aircraft.

Building and painting tips

• The hull of a flying boat has long seams, so it pays to clamp them in sections and then sand them down
• Mask the canopy glazing and the side windows before spraying, so they do not have to be fitted afterwards
• Spray the light scheme over an even primer, otherwise the seams show through
• Apply a gloss clear coat before the decals, as a decal will crease and silver on a matte surface
• The model has a large span, so make room for it on the display shelf in advance

Who the model is for

• For modelers of Japanese military equipment and for collectors of unusual aircraft
• For those who build flying boats and amphibious machines
• For modelers with experience of a large model and long fuselage seams

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.