Mitsubishi F-2A – 8th Hikotai Black Panthers JASDF 2018

Hobby Master 1/72 scale HA2720: Mitsubishi F-2A #13-8508 of 8th Hikotai Black Panthers, JASDF, Tsuiki AB, Japan, 2018. Production run of 800 models.

Length 8.5 inches  Wingspan 6.25 inches

The JASDF 8th Hikotai is based at Tsuiki AB on Kyushu Island along with its sister squadron 6th TFS. On November 25, 2018 Tsuiki AB held its annual open house air show. For this occasion the 8th TFS painted F-2A in a very eye-catching paint scheme. Since the 8th squadron name is “Black Panther” they decided to add an outline of a ferocious panther’s head on the tail. The bright yellow panther is on a very dark background making the image really stand out.

Designed as a strike fighter for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, the Mitsubishi F-2 was first flown on October 7, 1995. Manufactured with a 60/40 split between Japan and the US, the F-2 is a cooperative production effort between Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Lockheed Martin. Based on an enlarged version of the F-16 (known as the Agile Falcon), the F-2 replaced the aging Mitsubishi F-1. The Japanese ordered 94 F-2s between 2000 and 2008, and in July of 2010 ordered an additional 50. Armed with ASM-1 and ASM-2 anti-ship missiles, this capable aircraft can also carry 500lb bombs and drop tanks with a 4,400kg fuel capacity.