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Airfix 1/48 Phantom FG.1 vs Hasegawa 1/48 FGR.2 - How does it compare?

Mann's Model Moments

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Airfix 1/48 Phantom FG.1 vs Hasegawa 1/48 FGR.2 - How does it compare?

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Today I’m looking at the brand new Airfix 1/48 McDonnell Douglas Phantom FG.1 — and comparing it directly with the older Hasegawa British Phantom FGR.2.

This is Airfix’s big Series 12 flagship aircraft release, and there is a lot to like. The box is full, the decal sheet is enormous, the stencil coverage is extremely comprehensive, the instructions are clear, the transparencies look excellent, and the surface detail across the kit is plentiful and very nicely executed.

There are also some clever modeller-friendly design choices, including blanking pieces for painting, a fillet spine to avoid a major seam, clever horizontal stabiliser attachments, a good cockpit assembly, and a generous selection of stores.

But there are also some odd omissions and frustrations. There is no option for folded outer wings, no poseable flaps, the included pilots are underwhelming, the schemes are all broadly similar Extra Dark Sea Grey over white FG.1 options, and my example had a warped frame affecting one of the stabilisers.

The Hasegawa kit, despite its age, still holds up surprisingly well dimensionally and in overall shape, even if the new Airfix kit clearly brings more refined detail and a more modern cockpit.

So is this a great kit slightly held back by corporate penny-pinching and QC, or is it still exactly the British Phantom kit many modellers have been waiting for?

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0:00 – Intro
3:37 – Instructions
11:00 – Decals
11:55 – Plastic
21:41 - Comparisons
31:40 - Close Ups
38:45 – Conclusions
44:07 – Like, Share, Comment & Subscribe

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20 Comments

@MannsModelMoments Creator 2 weeks ago Pinned

This feels like one of those Airfix releases where the designers clearly did a lot right, but the final product still leaves a few obvious “why didn’t they?” questions. Would you rather have had all the stores, or would you have traded some of them for folded wings and dropped flaps?

@mylesfinn66 2 weeks ago

The aftermarket guys are going to love the ommitions on this release

@Trevor_Austin 2 weeks ago

The problem is not just trailing edge flaps. You would also need leading edge flaps. Couple this with wing fold and this in turn means you would require multiple outer wing panels, thus increasing parts count and complexity in the instructions. Or you could just give a good load out.

@danwilliams1686 2 weeks ago

I loved the pilot figures from the old monogram kits. Those were fairly well detailed.

@theoccupier1652 2 weeks ago

I have the 892 Hasagawa kit still BNIB ... I did build the RAF version for a friend many years ago... it was brilliant

@Theducks-k5h 2 weeks ago

I like how you call out the limitations early. It's easy to get carried away with new releases. Displaying this model in thrust up mode ready for takeoff would have highlighted it's aggressiveness.

@mattendspiel9341 2 weeks ago

Paramjit’s work is phenomenal but I loathe the fact that “upstairs” have stifled his talent. I’m glad I held off from the mad scramble!

@RobJS89 2 weeks ago

It is criminal that an 892 Ark era kit osnt actually properly Navalised, this has gone from a "oooh i can do a whole Ark royal flight deck" to oh thats a shame

@mrjockt 2 weeks ago

I like how Airfix are giving modellers the option of building the FG.1 either as it looked when it first entered service or as it looked when finally withdrawn from Royal Navy service.

@kenhanson1819 2 weeks ago

Great comparison, Alex! Unless the Airfix kit is displayed on a mirror or banking in an in-flight pose, the extra underside fuselage and wing detail is a bit of a waste imho. The decals do look fantastic. The pilots look woeful. Your pros and cons are spot on!

@Damien-q8t 2 weeks ago

I really must get off my backside and make a start on my TWO Airfix 1/72 British Phantoms.

@markwilson8299 2 weeks ago

Good solid review Alex, I think this is a near miss for Airfix, but plenty to work with. Nice to see 43 Squadron's Lands-End to John O' Groats speed run jet XV582 or "Alpha-Foxtrot" as she was marked in 1987. XV582 did have another unusual paint scheme later in her life- as the 111 Sqn Display jet "Black Mike" 🙂small world.

@muddydave01 2 weeks ago

I feel the defining image of the RN FAA Phantom, is front gear extended all the way, flaps and leading edge dropped, ready to launch off the Ark Royal. It's a shame, and a bit of a surprise, you can't build that out of the box.

@p4hv1YT 2 weeks ago

Interesting that the 1:48 Airfix kit doesn't have a folded wing option or dropped flaps when the 1:72 kit from Airfix includes both

@ИванТолкачёв-Потехин 2 weeks ago

Я собирал Phantom ll FGR.1, комплект от Hasegawa,,в варианте COLONIAL NAVY 1/48

@Azawakh1974 8 days ago

I plan to buy this beautiful McDD F-4 Phantom FG1 kit. Judging by your presentation, the kit is impressive; despite a few imperfections, it will be a great addition to my collection of 1/48 scale Phantom models. As I can see from your video, the comparable Hasegawa kit holds its own despite its age and remains a high-quality product; once I buy the Airfix model, I’ll be able to compare the two kits side-by-side. The F-4 Phantom II FG1 is the kit I’ve been looking forward to most this year. Thank you for the excellent presentation and the comparison of the Airfix and Hasegawa kits.

@2023MooHyeon 2 weeks ago (edited)

Airfix has a rougher surface due to the EDM mold. Hasegawa is my pick.

@mbignell1 2 weeks ago

Excellent review. I've got a Revell boxing of the Hasegawa FGR2 in the stash. Best of both worlds: Classic Hasegawa plastic and recent (ish) Cartograf decals. You can still pick them up for about £40.

@CharlesRiley-xs5oq 2 weeks ago

I received my kit last Thursday, I have been a good boy and am keeping it safe in its box and plastic bags until I'm ready to build it. I have now had a closer look and although still in their plastic bags I'm happy to say that I cant see any significant warpage on the sprues.
Hit and miss QC I suspect and sods law that a warped sprue turns up on your channel.
Little things ,pilots flaps etc detract from what looks to be a great kit, this one will rise to the to top of my must build soon list 😊

@fredburley9512 2 weeks ago

Interesting. Of course you could kit bash the flaps and folding wings but it is a typical omission. Strange thing with bigger scale kits is you sometimes don't get any more options than with lesser scales.