Hasegawa Curtiss SOC Seagull Build in 1/72 Scale Part I

Model Reviews, Works in Progress
Hasegawa first released their SOC-3 Seagull kit all the way back in 1969. It has been periodically re-released since then with new decals, most recently again this year. Both of my boxings are from the early 1970’s, so I have no idea how the tool is holding up. While many modelers will only build newer kits (and for good reasons in many cases), the Hasegawa kit is the only game in town for 1/72 scale modelers and looks to remain so for the immediate future.
U.S. Navy observation aircraft of the era could be fitted with either floats or wheels as needed. In the case of the SOC, they could also be fitted with arresting gear and flown from aircraft carriers. Hasegawa has kits with either wheels or floats. For this project I will be building one of each.
Parts breakdown is what you would expect for the time. There is some molded-on detail which should be replaced to be more accurate, and several small details which have been omitted. Lots of areas which will need improvement but nothing fatal.
You get one sprue of “feet” for your SOC which determines the configuration of the build, but unfortunately not both. My floatplane kit was molded in white which doesn’t show up as well in the photographs.
Fortunately for modelers the aftermarket has not neglected these kits. Radial Engines & Wheels makes a beautiful Pratt & Whitney R-1340 which goes a long way towards dressing up the front. Mark comes through yet again with a cockpit set and several decal sheets. While I will be modeling the canopies closed using the kit parts, the interior is still quite visible and needs improvement.
What difference does half a century make? The kit supplied engine is on the left, the RE&W resin engine is on the right.
Here is the Starfighter interior built up and ready for paint. Installation was drama free, you just need to sand the instrument panel piece a little to get a tight fit.

Part II here: https://inchhighguy.wordpress.com/2022/03/25/hasegawa-curtiss-soc-seagull-build-in-1-72-scale-part-ii/

Published by Jeff Groves

Scale Modeling and Military History

Published

6 thoughts on “Hasegawa Curtiss SOC Seagull Build in 1/72 Scale Part I”

  1. Jeff, stop this. Just stop this, please. You’re making me want to buy both of these now. I really love USN stuff from the 30’s, and I don’t have time to build the kits I’ve got in the stream now. 😉 😉
    Seriously, this really makes me want to pick up and older boxing of this and get some of Mark’s decals and his resin for it. Combine this with a Vindicator kit and a BT, and I’ll have a good 30’s round up.

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    1. They’re not bad kits, especially considering their age, plus they’re almost giving them away at the shows. Mark has really saved several of these older kits with his resin and decals, you can make these into attractive models without breaking the bank!

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