Pkf.85 Falke - Antigravity Armored Raider
Allegiance: Mercenary Army

Kit currently in production from Hasegawa Hobby Kits, available from HobbyLink Japan.

I am pleased to offer a review of the Maschinen Krieger Falke, as currently produced by Hasegawa Hobby Kits, and obtainable from HobbyLink Japan (click the link above). The kit is the big one, the one we've all been waiting for, and it does not disappoint. First let's start with the box. This is the first release from Hasegawa, so I was waiting with nervous anticipation to see what the final box art would look like. There was nothing to worry about. In fact, it exceeded everyone's expectations by presenting the original tan box in an updated and fresh new configuration. The Falke has been re-christened too, and is now an Antigravity Armored Raider. Stats and scale/legal info are also on the box top, which lets new fans see some of the information at a glance. The Falke itself is a beautiful new illustration by Kow, reproduced in fine detail, so the Falke fan can really get a sense of how the surface "should" be painted.

The back of the box shows Kow's original scratch build, the Falke back story in ENGLISH, credits, and the stats repeated. This is tremendous news for the fans outside of Japan, and will hopefully push the Falke further into the Westerner's conscience. Interestingly (to me), Hobby Japan is thanked, which is nice - perhaps relations with them have improved! From the looks of the Falke original scratch build, the model was either restored, or the source files are archival (from Hobby Japan, perhaps), because missing parts are there, and the damage that was seen in the Encyclopedia 1 photos is not visible.

Once you open the box, another treat! This time the text is in Japanese, and we get full color photos of the tan and white model on the inner box/side walls! A very cool idea, and unexpected. Hasegawa really has gone above and beyond, and we're still not even into the contents of the box...

The instructions are clear and concise, with a few mistakes (one of them is addressed in a black and white "note"), and the decals are sharp and bright. According to a buddy, they might be a little too bright with the white "too white" and the black "too black", so be sure to mute your decals when you weather/filter/paint! The first wave of Falkes come with TWO "Paint Cards", showing some wonderful ideas for paint work.

The figure sprue is molded in a tan plastic, and features the seated male pilot and standing female mechanic. A cursory examination of the parts shows some fit issues, which can be solved with putty and a little X-Acto skill.

The Falke itself is fan-frakkin-tastic! Molded in MaK Green™, with parts breakdown that hints at future variants, the model offers everything we've been hoping for. You can build it without a cockpit for an in-flight model, open cockpit for a tarmac scene, or with creative chopping a more industrious builder can open the Falke up like a gutted Taun-Taun. There is so much potential for super detailing that my mind is racing!!

The best part is, the finished model is so much lighter than the resin versions we've had the pleasure of building, and even the scratch builds!

The detail is fantastic, with sharp lines and correct dimensions. One small quibble - most wiring/cables are molded in to the surfaces, and the more persnickety builders will probably want to shave these off in favor of laying their own detail down, for a slightly more realistic look.

The photo says it all - I love the Falke!!

Next up - assembly!

Maschinen Krieger © Kow Yokoyama