1/48 F-22 Italeri or Hasagawa

Kitty Hawk makes a very detailed 1/48 F-35B and F-35A to answer your other question.

Yes, there are three 1/48 F-22 kits that I know of: Italeri, Academy, and Hasegawa (introduced in that order).

The Italeri kit was the first and, even though I don't have the other two, I can say for sure that it is the least accurate.  I bought it when it first came out and built it but it sat on the shelf unfinished for many years.  I wish I had not bought it because it has some glaring flaws none of which are trivial to fix.  The first and worst flaw is that it has no intake ducts to speak of.  This means either scratch building the ducts or fabricating intake covers.  Next, the various actuator bumps, especially on the insides of the tails, are not shaped correctly.  Finally, the nose shape isn't quite right, but you really have to be picky see that.  There are lots of other issues like: main wheel wells have no depth for tires, incorrect weapons bays, antennas that should not be there and more.  

Looking at online reviews, I think if I wanted to build another, I'd choose the Academy kit over the Hasegawa kit.  The is mostly due to the fact that the Hasegawa kit has grossly over-scaled RAM coatings.  The RAM covering and surrounding various panel lines and apertures on the real aircraft is "3D" but when viewed in the scale of the overall plane, it doesn't have any obvious thickness.  

As I alluded to, had I not already built it, I would not choose this kit.  Now I'm second guessing if I should even finish my Italeri example... sigh :)

Sunil

[update: after posting I researched a little more and the Academy kit is OOP.  It's still available from some sources but in looking at the photos of finished kits, it has it's own issue - most notably around the intake area - I guess that leaves the Hase kit and a lot of sanding]

I'd go with the Hase kit.  The major gripe with the Hase kit is simply that the surface detail is too pronounced.    This is a very subjective detail as far as the builder is concerned.  It doesn't bother me.  

Everything else is better on the Hase kit for sure, though.

stikpusher

Isn't there also an Academy 1/48 F-22 kit out now as well? I am surprised that: a) the Italeri kit costs near what the Hasegawa kit does (high cost); or b) youre getting the Hasegawa kit for a lower price comparable to the Italeri kit. In either case, I would say go for the Hasegawa kit if the price is roughly similar. You will get a better kit for your money. I have the Italeri kit in my stash that I piced up on sale a few years back for very cheap, and it is decent, but not great. The link to the site that Rob provided has good info on the Italeri kit as well, and fixing its' one flaw.

The price on the Hasgawa has indeed come way down

Isn't there also an Academy 1/48 F-22 kit out now as well? I am surprised that: a) the Italeri kit costs near what the Hasegawa kit does (high cost); or b) youre getting the Hasegawa kit for a lower price comparable to the Italeri kit. In either case, I would say go for the Hasegawa kit if the price is roughly similar. You will get a better kit for your money. I have the Italeri kit in my stash that I piced up on sale a few years back for very cheap, and it is decent, but not great. The link to the site that Rob provided has good info on the Italeri kit as well, and fixing its' one flaw.

I highlighted your subject title, right clicked it and it used Chrome to Google it. First hit is this review:

http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/kits/has/kit_has_pt45.shtml 

I really enjoyed the Hasegawa kit,well detailed,lots of armament,well engineered,and good fit.Some say some of the molding was a little heavy,but I really enjoyed the Hasegawa quality.

I have not seen the Italeri kit