Heller – 82300 – E-2C HAWKEYE

Description:

Unassembled plastic model kit in 1/72 scale of a Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye, developed by the Grumman Aircraft Company in the late 1950s and early 1960s, the Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye stands as an American all-weather, carrier-capable tactical airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft. Crafted to succeed the outdated piston-engined E-1 Tracer in service with the United States Navy, the E-2 has undergone performance enhancements with the E-2B and E-2C versions. Notably, these improvements primarily focused on upgrading radar and radio communications systems, adapting to the evolving landscape of electronic integrated circuits and other electronic technologies.

A pivotal advancement came with the introduction of the E-2D, the fourth major version of the Hawkeye, which took its maiden flight in 2007. Unlike earlier iterations, the E-2 was purposefully designed for AEW, marking a departure from the approach of modifying existing airframes, as seen in aircraft like the Boeing E-3 Sentry. Remarkably, variants of the Hawkeye have maintained continuous production since 1960, securing its status as the carrier-based aircraft with the lengthiest production run.

Tooled in 2024 and finally released in 2025, kit consists of 199 plastic parts. Decal sheet includes one single marking with a clear objetive in the Japanese market, as the marking depict a commemorative marking shown in 2017 when the VAW-115 “Liberty Bells” (Airborne Command and Control Squadron 115) left Japan and Atsugi base after 43 years of forward deployment, forward deployed naval forces (FDNF). The VAW-115 “Liberty Bells” flew the E-2C Hawkeye 2000 from 2010 to 2017.

Marking detail, E-2C Hawkeye VAW-115 Liberty Bell “Sayonara Atsugi” 2017

Also released as “Starter Set” with glue, paints and brush as code number 58300.

Note that Heller had an older E-2C HAWKEYE in catalogue, we aware when purchasing this kit to don’t buy the old version, code number 80349 and being a reissue of the CC Lee kit tooled in the 90s.