Hasegawa 1/72 Avenger and Hellcat Battle of Leyte Twin Kit

This Hasegawa 1/72 scale set contains two complete aircraft kits, recreating US carrier-based aircraft associated with the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944. The set combines a TBF/TBM Avenger with an F6F Hellcat and provides a selection of markings for aircraft serving aboard USS Essex, USS Intrepid, USS Enterprise and USS Cabot.

The aircraft represented belong to units that participated in the attack on the battleship Musashi during the Battle of the Sibuyan Sea on 24 October. With three Avenger and three Hellcat marking choices, the set provides a focused pair of US Navy WWII aircraft connected by the same campaign.

TBF/TBM Avenger Marking Options

Three decal choices are provided for the Avenger. The TBF-1C option represents aircraft “93” of Torpedo Squadron 15 aboard USS Essex in October 1944, finished in a tricolour scheme. Two TBM-1C options are also included: aircraft “86” of Torpedo Squadron 18 aboard USS Intrepid and aircraft “43” of Torpedo Squadron 20 aboard USS Enterprise, both from October 1944.

F6F Hellcat Marking Options

The Hellcat also has three October 1944 choices. F6F-5 early model aircraft “17” represents Fighter Squadron 29 aboard USS Cabot and is finished entirely in sea blue. An F6F-3 option depicts aircraft “31” of Fighter Squadron 18 aboard USS Intrepid, while another F6F-5 early model option represents aircraft “41” of Fighter Squadron 15 aboard USS Essex.

Two Complete 1/72 Aircraft

• Two complete 1/72 aircraft kits
• TBF/TBM Avenger and F6F Hellcat subjects
• Three Avenger marking options
• Three Hellcat marking options
• USS Essex, USS Intrepid, USS Enterprise and USS Cabot aircraft
• All supplied aircraft markings represent October 1944

The combination of two different aircraft types makes this an interesting addition to 1/72 aircraft collections. Both completed models can be presented as related US Navy subjects from the Battle of Leyte Gulf, with the six supplied marking choices allowing the modeller to select the particular carrier units and aircraft identities for the finished pair.