Hasegawa™ 1/48 scale

Nakajima A6M2-N (Rufe) Type 2, Fighter Seaplane

by Dale Smith

Review, images and text copyright © 2001 by Dale Smith

Developed by Nakajima as an interim single-seat fighter floatplane pending availability of the 15-Shi (1940) fighter designed from the outset for waterborne operation, the A6M2-N was an adaptation of the Mitsubishi A6M2 shipboard fighter. Retaining the 950 hp Nakajima NK1C Sakae 14 cylinder radial engine, the armament of 2 x 20mm cannon and 2 x 7.7 mm machine guns, and airframe of the A6M2, the A6M2-N replaced the retractable wheel undercarriage with a fixed central float and 2 wing mounted stabilising floats. The vertical tail surfaces were enlarged and a small ventral fin added. First flown on 7 December , 1941 the A6M2-N entered production as the Type 2 Floatplane Fighter Model 11, manufacture being continued till September 1943, by which time 327 aircraft of this type had been built.

The Kit

When I heard that Hasegawa were going to release the A6M2-N 'Rufe' in 1/48, it was with a little bit of sadness that the old Tamiya offering ,while still a good looking kit from so many years ago, was going to be relegated to 2nd best. It's held the throne for many years now and made up into a nice looking aircraft, but anyway, that's progress. We the modellers are the winners.!! Hasegawas' offering comes in their familiar injection molded grey plastic, all with recessed panel lines and detail and looks a treat. To many of you out there that have built their A6M2a 'Zero' Type 11, the sprues will probably look familiar. From what I could ascertain by comparing the sprues side by side, it appears Hasegawa have made smart use of the 'Zero' toolings and altered certain molds, as well as adding some additional sprues to come up with the 'Rufe'. Included in the kit are new sprues that cover the main float, wing floats, new lower wing , new bombs and dispensers and also a beaching dolly. Many old parts are relegated to the 'spares bin' such as the undercarriage and associated fittings/wheels as well as many other parts. Cockpit detail is adequate, with 13 parts making up the cockpit with only some seatbelts needed to jazz it up. The canopy should be able to be posed in either the open or closed position. A boarding ladder is also supplied to be used if required. During the construction process, Hasegawa has also indicated a number of areas that require the panel lines to be filled on the upper mainplanes and ailerons that correct the transition from the 'Zero' to the 'Rufe'. Painting and colours are called out during construction as per normal with reference to either Gunze or Mr Colour. Decals provided are to Hasegawas' usual quality, with markings provided for an aircraft from the 934th Flying Group, 1943 located at Ambon Island, or a generic naval carrier based aircraft. Numerous decal numbers are provided to create your own aircraft from your own references in both schemes.

Conclusion

Hasegawa have produced another masterpiece in plastic. The earlier Tamiya kit was good in its time, but this offering far surpasses it, and any other manufacturer will be hard pressed to beat the quality you find in this box. Highly recommended to all modellers.