Hasegawa PT30 1/48 RF-4E Phantom II ''Japan Air Self-Defense Force''

The RF-4 is a multi-sensor tactical reconnaissance aircraft.
This aircraft had significantly greater capacity than previous fighter reconnaissance aircraft, making it an all-weather multi-sensor aircraft equipped with electronic and infrared sensors in addition to conventional cameras.

The RF-4E (Model 98LG) was an aircraft in which the nose of the RF-4C was transplanted onto the airframe of an F-4E without leading edge slats. The first production aircraft made its maiden flight on September 15, 1970, and all 150 aircraft produced were exported to Western countries, including West Germany, Japan, Israel, Iran, Turkey, and Greece.

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force ordered 14 aircraft in April 1973 as a successor to the RF-86F, and received all of them in March 1975, establishing the 501st Reconnaissance Squadron at Hyakuri Air Base in Ibaraki Prefecture.

They have also been active in gathering information during disasters , such as conducting aerial photo reconnaissance during the 2000 eruption of Mount Usu .

The decals are a set of special markings from the 501st Reconnaissance Squadron of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, featuring aircraft with special markings that were unveiled at the 1994 air show.
The designs feature motifs of the Blue Dragon, White Tiger, Black Tortoise, Vermilion Bird, and Kirin.