de Nederlandstalige lezer leest de eerste indruk hier....
MODEL: Grumman Hawkeye E-2C
BRAND: Heller
KIT: number 8300
SCALE: 1/72
NUMBER OF PARTS: almost 200
NEW MODEL: yes, new mould from Heller
PRICE: approximately 49,- Euro (in The Netherlands)
First impression
INTRODUCTION:
The Grumman E-2 Hawkeye was developed for the American navy aviation as a radar warning aircraft (AEW) as a successor to the smaller Grumman E-1 Tracer for use from aircraft carriers. The radar is located in a large rotating disk above the fuselage. Several variants were developed such as the E-2A and E-2B. First flight was October 1960 and it was put into service with the US Navy around 1964 but there were quite a few operational problems. These were only solved with the E-2B. A COD transport version without radar with a different fuselage was the C-2 Greyhound. The E-2C, which entered service in 1973, got a different nose, new systems and radar. In those days electronic developments had a high pace during the Cold War. There are various fairings and intakes on the fuselage. The E-2C early version had 4-bladed propellers and the later version 8-bladed curved propellers. This was further developed from 2007 into the E-2D (AHE) with new systems and a tank boom above the cockpit. It is currently being built in small numbers by Northrop Grumman. In addition to the US Navy, the Hawkeye has also been sold to Israel, Mexico, France and Japan and among others countries.
THE MODEL
The 1/72 Heller E-2C kit with number 8300 came on the market in May 2025 and is a brand new kit with a completely new mould. (the kit is not the CC LEE mould from 1997). When you open the sturdy box, you will notice that everything is well packed with even black tissue paper. There is even a loose carton door hanger "do not disturb the builder" as a gimmick for the hobby room.
You can build from the kit the early E-2C with 4-bladed propellers or the later E-2C with 8-bladed propellers and the alternative fairings are included. All this is indicated in the instructions.
Very nice is that the model offers the option to put the wing folded backwards. The loose flaps are included and the lock mechanisms. (If you do not want to fold the wing it is advisable to make an internal spar for extra strength).
The Heller kit instructions with detail colours look very good but the paint indications are only in Heller paints though at the box rear side also in Revell paints. There are 33 modelling sequence steps and in step 8 there is no weight indicated to be set in the nose but this model will certainly be a tail sitter. You certainly need 30 grams in the nose and even 50 grams if you fold the wing back. It is probably better to use the arrester hook because otherwise it becomes very heavy for the undercarriage (although that is not the case for a parked Hawkeye).
The almost 200 parts look fine in some soft light grey-blue plastic. The engraved panel lines and details are very neat. There is a nice cockpit interior and a separate access door in the fuselage with an access hall (but no complete rear cabin interior). The wheel wells are very neat with lots of detail with a nice undercarriage. You have the option to use some flattened “weighted” or round main wheels.
The glasswork is neat but unfortunately Heller forgot that the cockpit side windows are a bit curved "bulged", this is a small mistake and will only be noticed by an expert.
The decals are very neat and designed by Fightertown. But they are for only one US Navy version for an E-2C flown by VAW-115 called "Liberty Bells" with which the US Navy operated from American navy base Sayonera Atsugi in Japan. This plane has nice lettering and markings even on the wingtips. You get neat walkways and even black de-icing boots for the leading edges. A decal for the instrument panel is not included though, but you will hardly see it.
A first dry fit shows that the model fits well. The loose fuselage part B32 for the arrester hook needs some sanding. The main dimensions and looks for a Hawkeye are fine.
CONCLUSION
A very neat kit with the nice possibility to show the wing folded. Too bad about the mistake with the cockpit side windows and that there is only one decal option but this scheme is very colourful. Recommended.
REVIEWERS: Meindert de Vreeze and Bas Damen
this first impression review was first published May 20, 2025 (c) IPMS Nederland