Hasegawa 1/72 SOC-3 Seagull Battleship Observation Squadron

This Hasegawa 1/72 SOC-3 Seagull kit contains two aircraft representing US Navy observation machines deployed aboard the battleships Colorado and New York. Rather than providing two identical models, the kit includes different configurations: one land-based aircraft fitted with landing gear and one seaplane equipped with floats.

The two versions also have their own squadron markings. The land-based SOC-3 represents aircraft “4-O-4” of the 4th Observation Squadron aboard the battleship Colorado. The floatplane can be completed as “5-O-8” of the 5th Observation Squadron aboard the battleship New York.

Landplane and Seaplane Versions

The contrasting undercarriage arrangements are a defining feature of this two-model set. One SOC-3 is built with conventional landing gear, while the second uses floats for its seaplane configuration. This provides two clearly different versions of the same US Navy observation aircraft within one kit.

• Two SOC-3 Seagull aircraft included
• Land-based version with landing gear
• Seaplane version equipped with floats
• US Navy battleship observation squadron markings

Colorado and New York Markings

The supplied decals link each configuration to a specific US Navy battleship and observation squadron. The land-based aircraft carries the identification “4-O-4” and belongs to the 4th Observation Squadron aboard Colorado. The seaplane carries “5-O-8” and represents an aircraft of the 5th Observation Squadron aboard New York.

This combination allows both aircraft to be displayed together while retaining different configurations, squadron identities and battleship associations.

Kit Dimensions and Parts

The two aircraft have parts counts of 36 and 46. Each completed model measures 118mm long and 157mm wide. The compact 1/72 scale and twin-aircraft format make the different landing gear and float arrangements easy to compare when displayed together.

• Scale: 1/72
• Aircraft: SOC-3 Seagull
• Models included: 2
• Parts: 36 + 46
• Model length: 118mm
• Model width: 157mm
• Landplane marking: “4-O-4”, 4th Observation Squadron, Colorado
• Seaplane marking: “5-O-8”, 5th Observation Squadron, New York

The two configurations and separate observation squadron markings give this Hasegawa kit a specific US Navy battleship aviation theme, centred on the SOC-3 Seagulls assigned to Colorado and New York.