Dragon Slayers and More from Rising Decals

December 23, 2019, 11:47 am

≪ Previous: Kawasaki Ki-100 Type 5 Fighter Colours

Recently two new and very welcome sheets from the prolific Rising Decals for the popular Kawasaki Ki-45 Type 2 Two-seater fighter Toryu 'Nick' in 1/48 and 1/72 scales, together with a new 1/72 sheet for the K5Y1 'Willow' in the innovative 'Unknown and Less Known Units' series. And, as hoped for, a new AVI Models 1/72 kit of the Gasuden KR-1 Chidori-Gô based on their De Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth kit.

Set RD48028 (heading image) contains markings in 1/48 scale for eight Ki-45 Toryu from seven units as follows:-

Ki-45 Kai Hei '10' of 11th Hakko-tai 'Kokon-tai' at Hokota airfield, Japan in November 1944 - in overall olive brown or black(ish) brown colour.
Ki-45 Kai Hei '1' of the same unit as dlown by unit leader 1Lt Kyoichi Miura
Ki-45 Kai Tei c/n 4101 of Dokuritsu Hiko 25 Chutai at Liaoyang airfield, Manchuria in February 1945 - in dark green mottle over grey with individual aircraft name 'Tachibana'
Ki-45 Kai Hei of 5th Sentai, Negros, Philippines in August 1944 - in dark green mottle over grey
Ki-45 Kai Hei as flown by Sgt Yoshio Sakaguchi of 5th Sentai at Kyoshu airfield, Japan in April 1945 - in overall olive brown or black(ish) brown colour
Ki-45 Kai Tei of Dokuritsu Hiko 71 Chutai at Kallang airfield, Singapore in July 1945 - in dark green mottle over grey
Ki-45 Kai Ko of Dokuritsu Hiko 84 Chutai at Canton, China, May-June 1942 - in a heavy green mottle over grey-green
Ki-45 Kai Tei of 53rd Sentai at Matsudo airfield, Japan in February 1945 - in dark green mottle over grey

This sheet offers some interesting and unusual choices including the 25th DHC example (about which more below), the mysterious 71st DHC Toryu at Singapore and the early Indo-China and Canton-based test Chutai bird, the first to engage the enemy in combat (although the 5th Sentai scrambled its six new Toryu to intercept the Doolittle raid they climbed per tactical doctrine to high altitude and did not make contact with the low-flying raiders).

Sheet RD72086 (above) contains markings in 1/72 scale for no less than 12 Ki-45 from seven units as follows:-

Ki-45 Kai Tei c/n 4101 of Dokuritsu Hiko 25 Chutai at Liaoyang airfield, Manchuria in February 1945 - in dark green mottle over grey with individual aircraft name 'Tachibana'
Ki-45 Kai Hei as flown by Sgt Yoshio Sakaguchi of 5th Sentai at Kyoshu airfield, Japan in April 1945 - in overall olive brown or black(ish) brown colour
Ki-45 Kai Hei of 27th Sentai at Clark field, Philippines in August 1945 - in overall olive brown
Ki-45 Kai Hei of Dokuritsu Hiko 25 Chutai at Shinkyo airfield, Manchuria in August 1945 - in dark green mottle over grey
Ki-45 Kai Tei of 45th Sentai at Clark Field, Philippines in August 1945 - in overall olive brown
Ki-45 Kai Tei as flown by Capt Totaro Ito of 5th Sentai at Kyoshu airfield, Japan in November 1944 - in overall olive brown or black(ish) brown colour with individual aircraft name 'Kuzuryu'. Ito was a Bukosho winner with claims for nine B-29s.
Ki-45 Kai Tei of 53rd Sentai at Matsudo airfield, Japan in 1945 - in dark green mottle over grey; the white trim lines are included for the striking nose flash but the red will need to be carefully painted
Ki-45 Kai Ko of Dokuritsu Hiko 84 Chutai at Canton, China, May-June 1942 - in a heavy green mottle over grey-green
Ki45 Kai Ko of the Army Flight Test Centre at Fussa in January 1942 - an unarmed aircraft in overall grey-green
Ki-45 Kai Tei of 53rd Sentai at Matsudo airfield, Japan in February 1945 - in dark green mottle over grey

This sheet also includes partial markings for two more 53rd Sentai Toryu each bearing kill markings (adjusting the colour to better display the white markings the second 53rd insignia shown above appears near black but is cobalt blue on the decal sheet). Again an excellent sheet with some interesting and different subjects. The Hasegawa kit is recommended but the decals would probably work ok with the venerable Revell kit too. Regarding the two Dokuritsu Hiko 25 Chutai aircraft, the tail marking of the first subject, representing a stylised '25', was adopted from the beginning of 1945. Each aircraft was assigned an individual name and other names assigned were 武蔵 - Musashi, 桜 - Sakura, 伊予 - Iyo and 天竜 - Tenryu. The tail marking of the second subject was designed by aircrew member Tsunetake Fujiki and adopted from the unit's establishment in August 1944 until the end of that year. The dual circles in the centre symbolised the '8' and '0's of the unit's coded designator - 'Manchuria Dai 800 Butai'. With the July 1944 2nd Air Army re-organisation this unit had been established as the 'Composite Twin-seat Fighter Squadron' under 15th Air Brigade HQ for the air defence of Anshan, until formally designated Dokuritsu Hiko 25 Chutai in August 1944. The unit also operated Ki-45 nightfighters in the overall black(ish) brown colour displaying the '25' unit insignia. The dual markings for this unit are especially welcomed by this reviewer. A Key Data Guide for Toryu colours is in preparation but has been delayed by family commitments.

The Yokosuka K5Y1 'Willow' biplane trainer is catered for in 1/72 with a lovely set of markings (shown above) representing 'J-BCPQ' operated by the Kaigun Yobi Kokudan (海軍予備航空団 - Navy Reserve Air Group), a flying training unit for university students. The set is designed for either the AZ Models, Valom or Arii (ex-LS) kits and offers an attractive alternative to the usual Navy schemes for this type. The insignia is beautifully and crisply printed with the anchor design in metallic ink.

Last but not least is the AVI Models 1/72 scale Gasuden KR-1 kit (shown above), designed by Rising Models, which consists of the basic Fox Moth sprues with the addition of a replacement resin fuselage and crisply moulded seven part resin engine and prop. Kit decals by Rising offer a difficult choice between two very attractive examples - the silver doped and blue trimmed 'J-BBJI' operated by Nippon Koku Yuso Kenkyusho (Japan Air Transport Service) from 1935 to 1937 or a silver doped aircraft operated by the Manchukuo Kaijo Keisatsu Koku Butai (Maritime Police Air Unit) with the distinct Manchukuo roundels in six positions. The decal sheet is also by Rising and includes the blue fuselage trim for 'J-BBJI' although the wing leading and tailplane edge trim will need to be carefully painted. This neat kit should appeal to Japanese aircraft, civil aircraft and inter-war biplane enthusiasts.

With special thanks to Mirek of Rising Decals for kindly sending the review samples to Aviation of Japan.

Image credit: All images © 2019 Rising Decals

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Season's Greetings

December 24, 2019, 12:54 am

≫ Next: Danilo Renzulli's 1/72 Kawaskaki Ki-61-I Tei Hien

≪ Previous: Dragon Slayers and More from Rising Decals

With Very Best Wishes to All Aviation of Japan Contributors and Readers for the Christmas Season and New Year

Image credit: Atogoshita and Yabu Lane ('Snow in the City') No. 112 in the winter series of 'One hundred famous views of Edo' by Utagawa Hiroshige 1797-1858

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Danilo Renzulli's 1/72 Kawaskaki Ki-61-I Tei Hien

December 27, 2019, 5:08 am

≫ Next: Dr Hidemasa Kimura's 'Flying Fuel Tank'

≪ Previous: Season's Greetings

Danilo Renzulli has very kindly shared these images and details of his impressive build of the RS Models Ki-61-I Tei Hien in 1/72 scale, looking splendid in the Italian winter sunshine. The model represents c/n 5262 of Hiko Dai 244 Sentai, assigned to Sentai Leader Capt Teruhiko Kobayashi as a reserve aircraft after he was wounded on 12 April 1945 and as illustrated by Ronnie Olsthorn in Osprey's 'Ki-61and Ki-100 Aces' (2015).

Danilo reports that progress on this Ki-61 project remained 'trapped' by long interruptions due to his home move and was plagued by painting issues related to inconsistencies in paint quality - with Humbrol no longer the paint he was used to for a lifetime. It is true that long gone are the days when a single, smooth and opaque coat of Humbrol enamel paint could be applied by brush straight from the tin and they call this progress! He found it compulsory to use a primer to avoid unwanted extensive chipping.

The model was enhanced with some Eduard photo-etched parts for the cockpit and the use of Albion Alloys 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm telescopic tubes to make up the pitot tube. Danilo added extra detail to the undercarriage components with photo-etched links and wire brake lines, whilst the landing gear down indicators and drop tank connections were also added using metal wire. Navigation lights were added by drilling holes into the wingtips and vertical tail then adding a tiny drop of Crystal Clear. The navigation light on top of the fuselage was likewise carefully carved out in the plastic thickness and a drop of Crystal Clear added. Machine guns were replaced with Quickboost items.

The upper surface colour scheme was mixed using Humbrol paints and the undersurface using Alclad. The blue and white fuselage stripes were painted on as were the hinomaru using masks by Maketar. Danilo found the masks useful but a challenge, requiring patience and care when locating and removing them. He also warns that they cannot be used over a model sprayed with the hairspray technique as the upper paint layer will be removed as he discovered to his expense with a Ki-84 model. The anti-slip panels were added using # 2000 wet and dry sanding sheet.

Danilo found the RS Models kit not bad and recommends it as going together well with a fit requiring no great effort and the result an accurate appearance. Nevertheless he says that he has a whole Sentai of Tamiya and Aoshima Hiens waiting their turn to show up on his workbench!

With special thanks to Danilo for sharing the images of his splendid Hien model with Aviation of Japan and providing the details of his build.

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Dr Hidemasa Kimura's 'Flying Fuel Tank'

December 28, 2019, 7:14 am

≫ Next: More on Dr Kimura

≪ Previous: Danilo Renzulli's 1/72 Kawaskaki Ki-61-I Tei Hien

This first hand account by Dr Hidemasa Kimura (1904-1986) of the development and flight of the Tachikawa Ki-77 under the project designation A-26, appeared as part of the 'Now It Can Be Told' series in the February 1964 issue of Flying Review International magazine. It is too interesting to remain buried in an old magazine and is therefore presented here in its entirety. The A-26 designation represented 'A' for the Asahi Shimbun newspaper which had first sponsored a non-stop Tokyo to New York flight and '26' for the Japanese Imperial year (Kōki - 皇紀) 2600 for 1940. The A-26/Ki-77 featured here in May 2014 as a superbly scratch-built model in 1/48 scale by John Haas (heading image) and was also the second kit as FSM-002 produced by the late Horatio Hernández in his Friendship Scale Models enterprise as featured here, here and here.

The mysterious fate of the second prototype, lost on an inaugural Seiko (成功 - Success) flight to Germany via Singapore on 7 July 1943 remains unresolved. In June 2001 Larry deZeng posted at j-aircraft.com the information that in the same month RAF 'Y' Service personnel had intercepted the following Ultra signal from Berlin dated 7 July 1943 to Kdo.d.Flughafenbereich 6/VI (Airfield Regional Command) at Sarabus, Crimea, which exercised authority over the entire Luftwaffe airfield infrastructure at that time:- "On 8/7 an allied aircraft will fly via air grid squares 3420, 2560 and 2510 to Sarabus. It is a two engined low wing monoplane, wing span 30 metres, metal fuselage, natural colour, wings grey. The aircraft must not be fired on under any circumstances."The Ultra signals intelligence analyst at Bletchley Park had added the following note:- "This presumably refers to undertaking 'GOA' in which an aircraft was flying to Sarabus from Tokio (sic) via Singapore". Ultra Signal CX/MSS 2867/T8).

According to Deniz Karacay also posting at j-aircraft.com the first (non-scheduled?) non-stop flight from New York to Tokyo was by Boeing 747SP in November 1975 with Dr Kimura as passenger!

Dr Hidemasa Kimura 1904-1986

Image credit: Heading photo © 2014 John Haas via Aviation of Japan; Article scans © 1964 Flying Review International magazine published for Puenell & Sons Ltd by Macdonald & Co (Publishers) Ltd.; Dr Kimura photo via web, original source unknown.

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More on Dr Kimura

January 14, 2020, 3:48 am

≫ Next: Zegeye's 1/72 Kyofu 'Rex' Floatplane-Fighter

≪ Previous: Dr Hidemasa Kimura's 'Flying Fuel Tank'

This snippet 'A Pair of Swallows' from the Modelling section of the October 1963 issue of Flying Review International magazine (Vol.19 No.2) mentions a visit from Dr Hidemasa Kimura, designer of the Ki-77 and reveals that he was also a keen modeller. Eichiro Sekigawa will be remembered by veteran Japanese aviation enthusiasts in the West for his seminal 'Pictorial History of Japanese Military Aviation' published by Ian Allan Ltd., in 1974. The Nichimo Ki-61-II was indeed a good kit for its time and has been previously featured here in April 2012 (scroll down) with images of a model made by Ken Glass posted here in July 2012. The remarks about the Revell kit (to be featured here in due course) are puzzling as it does not represent a Ki-61-II but rather a hybrid Ki-61-I!

Dr Kimura was also involved in the design of the NAMC (Nihon Kōkūki Seizō日本航空機製造 - Nihon Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation) YS-11 turboprop airliner, the first indigenously designed post-war aircraft to be exported from Japan with two aircraft delivered to Filipinas Orient Airways in 1965. The YS-11 gained FAA certification the same year and domestic operation began with Japan Domestic Airlines Co., Ltd. (Nihon Kokunai Kōkū 日本国内航空) and Japan Transocean Air Co., Ltd. (Nippon Toransuōshan Kōkū Kabushiki-gaisha 日本トランスオーシャン航空株式会社). The YS-11 was also operated by the Japan Air Self-Defence Force, Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force and Japan Coast Guard in the electronic warfare, ELINT, training and passenger/freight roles. A total of 182 aircraft were produced from 1962 to 1974.

Despite limited commercial success outside Japan and controversy surrounding its development and design many different kits of the YS-11 have been released since 1965 by Hasegawa and Doyusha to 1/144 scale, Otaki, Paramount and Sanwa to 1/150 scale, Platz to 1/200 scale, and Bandai and Imai to 1/72 scale. One Man Model released new 1/72 and 1/48 versions in 2017 and 2019 respectively. When W R Matthews reviewed the Otaki kit (original box art shown above) in the December 1965 issue of Flying Review International (Vol.21 No.4) he described it as 'cleanly pressed but has a good deal of rather heavy rivet detail ' and 'well worth having' for the airliner enthusiast.

Image credit: Dr Kimura photo web; magazine images © 1963 & 1965 Flying Review International magazine published for Purnell & Sons Ltd., by Macdonald & Co. (Publishers) Ltd.; Book cover art by George Heiron for Ian Allan Studio © 1974 Ian Allan Ltd.; Box art © 1963 Nichimo and 1965 Otaki

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Zegeye's 1/72 Kyofu 'Rex' Floatplane-Fighter

January 16, 2020, 6:43 am

≫ Next: Ki-74 'Patsy' in 1/48 scale by John Haas ~ Part One

≪ Previous: More on Dr Kimura

These kindly shared images of Zegeye's (Zbyszek Malicki) very impressive 1/72 Kawanishi N1K1 Kyofu(強風 - Strong Wind), Allied code name 'Rex', built from the excellent Hasegawa kit of 1995 vintage, are a reminder that the third intended part of the Shiden-kai, Shiden & Kyofu Colours series of articles (from 2010!), concerned with the exterior colours of this floatplane fighter, was never posted. An omission to be rectified. . .

The model was built straight from the box and Zegeye chose Kawanish Green from the now defunct Aeromaster paints range for the upper surface and Gunze IJN Gray from their 'C' range for the under surface. The kit decals were used, representing an 'early type' aircraft of some distinction from the 22nd Special Base Force (特別根拠地隊 - Tokubetsu-konkyo-chitai) at Balikpapan, Borneo in 1945 (although the kit instructions state Surabaya, Java) with its distinctive blue tail code. The 22nd Special Base Force was part of the 2nd Southern Expeditionary Fleet and consisted mainly of sub-chasers and patrol boats with a guard force and port affairs department. Special Base Forces assigned to Guard Districts and Fleets were similar to IJN Base Forces but were primarily tactical rather than administrative in function, usually located at Fleet HQs or in forward areas. The commander of the 22nd Lt Masaharu Nishiwaki was a floatplane pilot himself and in early January 1945 he arranged to obtain and operate Kyofu aircraft left behind at Surabaya by 934 Ku when it was disbanded in March 1944. 934 Ku originally had nine of the type on strength (in addition to the A6M2-N) and three serviceable examples were collected and used by the 22nd from Balikpapan on patrol and interception duties.

The Kyofus engaged Allied bombers on several occasions, claiming damage but without confirmation of any 'kills'. Two of the aircraft were subsequently destroyed by Allied strafing and the survivor 022-121, the subject of Zegeye's model and the Hasegawa kit, was then converted at the Surabaya depot into a two-seater for use on liaison duties between the two locations. After the evacuation of Balikpapan the 22nd air echelon moved to Jakarta and in July 1945 was consolidated with 936 Ku. From there the two seat Kyofu survivor was used to fly medical supplies to beleagured units still in Borneo, Flyer 1/C Tokujo Nakanishi earning an individual citation for successfully completing this sortie in stages, landing on a river in the dark and overcoming engine problems on the return flight. It is possible that this particular aircraft survived to be photographed post-war at Surabaya (?) in Indonesian markings.

The Hasegawa Kyofu kit was also released in separate 'late type' (Sasebo Ku) with individual exhaust outlets and 'prototype' versions in 1996, with an added 'Aquarama' water display base in 1997 (which is a rare gem), as a 'combo' kit with the Nakajima A6M2-N 'Rufe' in 2012 (Sasebo Ku and prototype), in an 'early/late type' combo in 2013 (Otsu and Sasebo Ku) and as another Rufe combo for 934 Ku in 2015.

With special thanks to Zbyszek for kindly sharing these images of his model with Aviation of Japan.

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Ki-74 'Patsy' in 1/48 scale by John Haas ~ Part One

January 27, 2020, 4:43 am

≫ Next: Zero Interior Colours

≪ Previous: Zegeye's 1/72 Kyofu 'Rex' Floatplane-Fighter

It is always a privilege to be able to share here the wonderful 1/48 scale aircraft models hand crafted by John Haas. His latest project to build a Ki-74 follows on from the Flying Review magazine retrospective feature on the type posted her last August. In John's own words then:

"I always have had an interest in lesser known, exotic aircraft and the Tachikawa Ki-74 is no exception. To build a model you need good drawings. It took a long time before at last I found a rather good 3-view drawing as a starting point. Compaired with photographs, there are some minor differences.

"So I printed the drawings in 1/48 and started carving the fuselage in wood. I planned to make some vacuform sections for the cockpit and nose sections, to install some interior details later. I had some concern about blending the large 'bathtub ' with the fuselage belly but that worked out well.

"It involved a lot of work, to remove wood sections from the fuselage and replace them with the vacuum formed plastic parts, in the same time building the inner cockpit details.

"After this most importent and difficult chapter, I made the tail feathers. For those I also used plastic sheet. I find it easier this way, than to use some solid plastic or wood.

"Next major work, the wing. Fortunately I made quite a lot of them, so this was more or less a routine job. It always is a dusty business, shaving, carving and sanding.

"I painted the fuselage and the wing in a neutral grey to check for any bad spots."

To be continued in Part Two.

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Zero Interior Colours

January 30, 2020, 3:49 am

≫ Next: Article 0

≪ Previous: Ki-74 'Patsy' in 1/48 scale by John Haas ~ Part One

Way back in June 2008 a schematic of colours from reported values for Zero interior colours was blogged here and one of those, a rather unusual brush painted light tan hue seen in the cockpits of two A6M3 aircraft, a Model 32 and 22, had been measured by Robert C Mikesh as Munsell 3.2 Y 7.6/3.5, the closest FS equivalent being 33578. This colour is identified as N38 in his 'Japanese Aircraft Interiors 1940-1945' (Monogram Aviation Publications 2000). Ichiro Hasegawa had also reported a matt yellow, similar to this colour, as being seen in the cockpit of an A6M2 aircraft.

Now Ryan Toews has very kindly shared valuable additional information and photographs from his own recent observations about this unusual colour to suggest that it is anomalous. Ryan has commented as follows:-

"Last September 23rd I spent the day at Legend Flyers in Everett WA. My primary purpose was to check the progress of their reconstruction of A6M3 Model 32 c/n 3148, but I found in their collection of artifacts what I identified as most likely to be parts of two separate A6M3 Model 22 forward fuselage sections. (Images 01 [heading photo] and 02). Note, though, that these artifacts could also be from late Type 32s or very early Type 52s.

Image 02

"What was interesting was the “light tan” coloured cockpit interior paint on both cockpit sidewalls. I thought immediately of your 2008 description of this colour. However, when this paint was buffed down it revealed that the light tan colouration was actually a result of paint oxidation. (Images 03 and 04 – note that both of these images are from components found on the cockpit seen in Image 02) The paint in fact was a mid-green shade. I suspect that in better light and some additional removal of the oxidized paint the colour would fall into the same shade of green found on other Mitsubishi Zero interiors.

Image 03

"I suspect Mikesh’s earlier observations on this paint did not include him buffing down the surface. The existence of this light tan shade in at least two different cockpits would seem to indicate the degradation of the original paint is not uncommon, but the original shade was actually consistent with Mitsubishi’s usage of a darker green interior paint."

Image 04

The official IJN cockpit interior colour was the greyish green M0/M1 and it now seems probable that most recorded variations in hue from this colour standard are due to manufacturer batch differences, photo-chemical colour shifts or age-related degredation of the exposed or protected paint strata (and not easy to determine which is which!). A yellowing or browning of the paint binder would shift the hue towards more olive green and paint surfaces protected from exposure to UV light could be expected to darken. The vehicle in the wartime paint was not very stable, but inconsistently so, and although the rate of colour shift cannot be determined Ichiro Hasegawa's observation suggests that it could have been quite rapid, at least in terms of the duration of the war. However, in general terms, the Tamiya XF-71 Cockpit Green colour intended for IJN aircraft is a tad too green compared to the M0/M1 standard which is around Munsell 7.5 GY 5/2 and/or FS 24226 in appearance.

With special thanks to Ryan for sharing his revelatory observations and photos. The original June 2008 blog will be amended to link to this one.

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Article 0

January 31, 2020, 3:08 am

≫ Next: Kyofus at Surabaya 1945-46

≪ Previous: Zero Interior Colours

Alvaro César who in August 2013 kindly shared images of his superb build of the Tamiya 1/48 A6M3 Model 22 Zero, has now shared his accomplished and evocative pencil illustration of a pair of A6M2 Zeros from the IJN carrier Zuikaku. EII-102 was flown by F1c Tetsuzo Iwamoto on CAP from Zuikaku during the Pearl Harbor strike. At that time Iwamoto was already an ace from the China campaign with 14 claimed victories and was to make further claims as a carrier pilot over Ceylon and during the Battle of the Coral Sea. After a spell instructing in Japan he returned to operations and fought from Rabaul to Okinawa achieving an estimated 80 victories. He survived the war but died from blood poisoning in 1954.

With thanks to Alvaro for kindly sharing this illustration with Aviation of Japan.

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Kyofus at Surabaya 1945-46

February 1, 2020, 6:49 am

≫ Next: Ki-74 'Patsy' in 1/48 by John Haas ~ Part Two

≪ Previous: Article 0

In response to the recent feature on Zegeye's Kyofu Model and discussion of the Kyofus operated by 936 Ku and the 22nd Special Base Force in the East Indies, Jacob Terlouw has kindly shared these interesting photos and useful information.

Photo # 1 Aerial View of Kyofu at Surabaya - note paint wear on wing roots

Photo # 2 - note missing (?) rear transparency and white 'patch' at rear of cockpit. Is this the modified access door?

From Jacob: "No doubt- at least three N1K1's were found at Surabaya at the end of the war, at the end of 1946 one was shipped aboard the carrier Karel Doorman-1 to the Netherlands along with an Aichi E13A1b (Jake). In the spring of 1947 they arrived in Amsterdam. When taken aboard in Surabaya they sported AURI markings - as almost all Japanese planes left at Surabaya, why the planes were re-painted with Hinomarus I can only guess. The fate of these planes is not exactly known- I think the Rex went to the Technical University at Delft but the fate of the Jake was probably serving as a target for shooting practice! Nothing of both planes remains. There is one thing I saw on the few photos of the Rex's - all three of them had the early type exhausts - just like the prototype."

Photo # 3 Carrier Karel Doorman-1

Photo # 4 Carrier Karel Doorman-1

Photo # 5 Jake and Rex on Karel Doorman-1

One of these Kyofu (see Photo # 2 above) has a rectangular white looking 'patch' near the cockpit, and a similarly shaped 'patch' is also seen on the rear fuselage of another Aichi Jake at Surabaya (not shown), positioned by the rear crew position. Is this the access door made to adapt Kyofu # 21 as a two seater?

Photo # 6 Kyofu A1-105 on Karel Doorman-!

The Kyofu on the deck of the carrier (above) displays the tail code 'A1-105', identifying it as an aircraft of 936 Ku, part of the 13th Air Fleet, 10th (South West) Area Fleet. The alloted aircraft numbers for the East Indies Detached Unit were reportedly 61-100 so this particularly aircraft appears supernumerary to that. The main unit, based at Singapore and Penang, used white for tail codes (1-30) but the detached units (Indo-China, 31-60, and East Indies) used colours at the discretion of the commanding officer.

Photo # 7 Kyofu at Penang, 1946

The photo above is marked on the back as being taken at Penang. Malaya in April 1946 and notes that this seaplane was 'supposed to be the fastest in the world'. Pity the tail markings, if any, are not visible!

With special thanks to Jacob for sharing these photos and information.

Image credits: Heading art © 1995 Hasegawa Corporation; Photo 1 Royal Institute for the Tropics & Ethnic Studies, Holland; Photos 3-5 E. Beekman, Stenen Hooft Amsterdam; Photo 2 via Jacob Terlouw; Photos 6-7 Jacob Terlouw

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Ki-74 'Patsy' in 1/48 by John Haas ~ Part Two

February 10, 2020, 7:16 am

≫ Next: Ida at Kemajoran

≪ Previous: Kyofus at Surabaya 1945-46

John Haas continues to share the kit-less creation of his prodigious, peachy and pioneering 'Patsy' in 1/48 scale (no less). Part One can be found here. In his own words then.

"First I would like to thank all the readers for their kind comments ! The fuselage and wing were ready for joining. The first thing to do was to cut the completed single piece wing into two halves. I then drilled four holes in them to fit some lengths of metal pin (large paperclips work fine here) to make a solid connection to the fuselage. Those massive wing halves are quite heavy!

"The next step was to fabricate two engines and their nacelles. Fortunately I had some leftover pieces of very fine grain wood, which is excellent material for making round parts. I have no lathe so everything has to be done by hand with much filing and sanding. It was also a challenge to make the two streamline fairings on the top of the wings. Really a trial and error job to get it right.

"But at this stage we were getting somewhere. The main parts came together and it really started to look like a Patsy. After checking all the connections and puttying with grey paint, it was time for the smaller parts.

"The spinners are made from some drop tanks and luckily this time I a found two main wheels of an old F-111 in the spares box which were just the right size! I even found a Lightning nosewheel which after some modification fitted as the tailwheel. The undercarriage legs had to be sturdy, so they are made out of two sizes of aluminium tubing with some plastic details.

"Then I had to make some more engine parts, two cooling fans, cowling gills, wheel doors and after much studying of the photographs I figured out what the exhausts should look like. And finally followed an exercise in patience, filing and sanding eight propeller blades.

"Up to the next work-in-progress report - part three!"

With special thanks to John for sharing this wonderful example of expert scratch-building.

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Ida at Kemajoran

February 21, 2020, 8:27 am

≫ Next: RS Models Announce 1/48 Ki-79 kits

≪ Previous: Ki-74 'Patsy' in 1/48 by John Haas ~ Part Two

In the mid-1970s a letter from former Far East Bomber Command (RAF) Flt Lt A D Douglas was published in Air Enthusiast Quarterly Number Three (undated). The letter was in response to an article on Indonesian aviation which had appeared in Issue Two and included photographs and his contemporaneously recorded notes describing three Tachikawa Ki-55 'Ida'/'Tjukio'aircraft in Indonesian markings which on 23 April 1946 had arrived at Kemajoran airfield, Jakarta (Java) where he was serving as Flying Control Officer. These aircraft brought the first Chief of Staff of AURI (Angkatan Udara Republik Indonesia - Air Force of the Indonesian Republic) Komodor Udara Suryardi Suryadarma and a Mayor Jenderal Sudibyo from Maguwo, a landing ground on the eastern outskirts of Yogyakarta, Java, for a meeting with officials of RAPWI (Recovery of Allied Prisoners of War and Internees) which was already involved in mercy flights across Java using a mixture of Allied and Japanese aircraft. AURI had been established only two weeks previously from the Air Service Volunteer Corps, part of the Indonesian People's Security Force (Badan Keamanan Rakyat) formed the previous year. The notes are too interesting to remain buried in an almost fifty year old journal and are reproduced here with acknowledgement and in gratitude that officers like Flt Lt Douglas took the time to record such details for posterity.

"Three aircraft of Indonesia Republic Air Force landed at Kemajoran Airfield, Batavia at 1235 hrs on 23 April 1946. Colouring was blue grey mottled with dark blue green, plain blue-grey under-surfaces.

"T4 swung off the runway on landing and the starboard undercarriage collapsed damaging the wing. Upon examination it proved to be the hollow section oleo leg that was corroded from the inside almost three-quarters of the thickness of the metal. No one was injured. This plane is now on the scrapheap with other Japanese aircraft. One machine gun was carried with the breech inside the cockpit on the starboard side firing berween the cylinder blocks. No ammunition was carried. The gun proved to be a Vickers 1935 model belt fed 0.303-in (7.7mm).

"T5 made a very poor landing and very nearly crashed on take-off as the pilot tried to 'unstick' too soon.

"T6 made a 360-deg ground lopp but the pilot just carried on as if nothing had happened. It made a very poor take-off the following day.

"All were piloted by Indonesians. Very poor condition all round. Cowling, wings and even the cockpit cover were covered in oil and no attempt made to clean it off. Dual control fitted. All instruments gathered on port side. Many of the instruments are missing. Bomb rack for 500 lb (227 kg) bomb under the centre of the fuselage and provision for four small incendiaries under each wing. Ring mounting in rear cockpit and no gun."

These intriguing details suggest almost a hybrid Ki-36/Ki-55 with a tactical rather than trainer paint scheme. The aircraft appear to have Indonesian roundels in six positions and a rudder painted in red over white national colours. The individual alpha-numeric aircraft identification number - 'T' for Tjukio - appears on the fin in relatively small letters in red (?) with no hyphen. Another Indonesian 'Ida' (shown above) has the alpha-numeric designation 'T' -above '08' in white on the fin. Other photographs of T6 at Kemajoran which appeared in a specialist Indonesian publication from 1986 suggest a sparse mottle and a paint finish heavily weathered and 'chalked'. The dark blue green of the mottle, rather than olive green, is noteworthy but consistent with other evidence. The blue-grey description perpetuates uncertainties and blue-green perception complexities regarding the appearance of the standard Army grey green paint, especially as the paint tended to 'chalk' in service towards a more flat or matt, lighter blueish-grey, but bear in mind that, for example, extant paint from one Ki-45 manufactured at the Akashi factory in June 1944 measures as a Munsell 'B' - Blue - close to FS 36320 in appearance. There are similar examples of blueish-grey paint on the Ki-27. Some of this blue-green subtlety may be appreciated from the Gunze paint 128 Gray Green when applied, whereas Tamiya XF-14 J.A. Grey has a stronger and brighter yellowish-green appearance, more towards RAF Sky.

The better known TK 105 ('TK' for Tjukio)

The aircraft were without spats or spinners but unfortunately the photographs do not reveal the presence or absence of ventral windows. The armament described was probably a Type 89 Kai fixed machine gun, being a license-made Vickers Class E machine gun manufactured at the Kokura and Nagoya Army Arsenals.

Image Credit: Flt Lt A D Douglas RAF (1946) via Air Enthusiast Quarterly No.3 (undated); Air Enthusiast Quarterly No.2 (undated).

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RS Models Announce 1/48 Ki-79 kits

March 5, 2020, 3:12 pm

≫ Next: The Emperor's New Clothes ~ Imperial War Museum Ohka

≪ Previous: Ida at Kemajoran

RS Models have announced a forthcoming release of 1/48 scale kits of the Mansyu Ki-79 trainer in single-seater and two-seater configurations. Each kit offers three colour scheme and markings options. Box art is very nice, especially the Ki-79a!

The Ki-79a includes markings for 26 and 39 Kyoiku Hikotai and one Indonesian operated aircraft. Ki-79's of the 39th were engaged in an epic dogfight with USN Hellcats over Chiba, Japan on 16 February 1945.

The Ki-79b two-seater kit includes markings for a 113th Shimbu-tai special attacker, an Indonesian operated aircraft and a suspiciously orange looking trainer from an unknown unit in Manchuria (Fengtian/Mukden - now Shenyang, China).

Hat tip to Dan Salamone for kindly alerting me to this announcement.

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The Emperor's New Clothes ~ Imperial War Museum Ohka

March 6, 2020, 5:23 am

≫ Next: Two-Seat Ohka in 1/48 scale

≪ Previous: RS Models Announce 1/48 Ki-79 kits

Joe Picarella has kindly alerted me to the complete restoration of the Imperial War Museum's original Ohka c/n 1100 seen above and now on display at their Lambeth building in London.

Joe provided began providing consultancy for this restoration project in 2017 and was tasked to advise on restoring the aircraft, sourcing missing component details and providing all of the information needed to complete the interior and exterior of the aircraft back to its factory finish. He has personally surveyed 11 of the 13 Ohka survivors and consulted on 3 previous Ohka restorations over the past 25 years during which he amassed a large collection of notes and more than 5,000 restoration photos, which proved to be invaluable to the restoration. Joe spent over 500 hours on this project and was able to reproduce the most complete set of stencils for an early model Ohka-11 seen since December 1944, as well as faithfully reproducing the original paint and application processes.

The complete story of this restoration will form part of Joe's new book on the development and technical history of the Ohka family, planned for the winter this year. Through this and previous Ohka restorations and surviving documents, he will be able to tell the technical story behind the Ohka and also to dispel several myths.

And for those disappointed by the lack of English text in the recent Model Art monograph on the Mitsubishi Ki-15 'Babs' Joe advises that he has now completed his own book on the type to be published shortly by MMP/Stratos with 150,000 words, 180 photographs and artwork. Hold off on those Fine Molds 'Babs' kits!

With special thanks to Joe for this exciting news.

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Two-Seat Ohka in 1/48 scale

March 7, 2020, 4:39 am

≫ Next: Ki-74 'Patsy' in 1/48 by John Haas ~ Part Three

≪ Previous: The Emperor's New Clothes ~ Imperial War Museum Ohka

Continuing the Ohka theme, Dan Salamone has very kindly shared his in-box review of the newly released Brengun kit (BRP48005) of the two-seat trainer Ohka MXY7-K1 Kai in 1/48 scale. In Dan's own words then:

"I was excited when Brengun announced a 1/48 two seat Ohka trainer in the fall of 2019, and my copy of the model, and optional detail parts arrived this week. The model comes in a sturdy, end opening cardboard box, and contains 3 sprues of injection molded parts, a small decal sheet, and a resin tailwheel. Simple instructions come on a two-sided sheet. The panel lines are recessed, and are very similar to recent Airfix kits, the detail on the fuselage and wings being very acceptable.

"The weakest aspect of the parts is the overly thick (injection moulded) seats. This issue is addressed on the optional photo etched sheet, which also contains clear acetate instrument panels to complement the metal parts. These parts are superb and will add a great deal of depth to the detail. In addition Brengun offers vacform canopies (you receive 2 full sets of front and rear canopies), and a masking set that can be used on either the kit's standard injection molded canopies, or the vacform set. You'll want to open the vac form canopies, to reveal all the detail of the twin cockpits.

"Brengun will have you paint the model dark green over grey-green. There are not many images of the 2 airframes that were completed, and the surviving example is painted in two blue shades, which were applied post war. That said, in some recent images of the airframe, you can see what appears to be IJN trainer orange under the blue paint. When I build mine, I will probably opt for the orange over grey-green and pale blue scheme of the single seat Ohka trainer.

"This kit comes highly recommended, and will look wonderful sitting next to it's single seat sibling from Fine Molds. I bought mine from HLJ, since nobody seems to distribute Brengun products in the U.S."

With special thanks to Dan for this in-box review. Fine Molds offers 1/48 kits of the single-seat Ohka in both powered and unpowered versions, whilst Brengun also offers a 1/48 kit of the Ohka Model 22 and similar Ohka family kits in 1/72 scale.

Brengun Ohka Model 22

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Ki-74 'Patsy' in 1/48 by John Haas ~ Part Three

March 9, 2020, 4:50 am

≫ Next: David Walker's 1/48 Mitsubishi J2M3 Raiden

≪ Previous: Two-Seat Ohka in 1/48 scale

Following Parts One and Two John Haas continues his awesome scratch-built Ki-74 project with the painting process. In his own words then:

"With Part Two the general construction of the model was finished and the time had arrived for some serious overall painting. There were still some spots on the surface which needed further work. So I decided to paint the model in a middle green, both to apply an undercoat for the definitive colour and to serve as filler to achieve a real smooth surface. And of course later for carving the panel lines.

"I also painted the propellers. I spent some time to decide on the colour as later in the war you saw both dark green and dark brown props. The available photographs were not a great help, so I decided to play it safe and painted them in the regular dark brown. The first brown I used was a bit light so I mixed my own to get that warm dark chocolate brown.

"After some sanding I had a smooth surface for the top colour. But first I had to apply the yellow leading edges. Yellow paint always has bad covering qualities, so I painted them first in a very light grey and then over that went the yellow paint. Even then I had to apply two coats.

"Now I had to choose the upper colour, after some research I found Humbrol Matt 159 (Khaki Drab) a good match for the JAAF Olive Green.

"And lastly the undersurfaces. As far as I could interpret the photographs showed both natural metal and light grey. I choose a light grey, because painting the difficult corners around the engine gondolas and the front part of the fuelage would be easier. I found Humbrol Satin 196 (Light Grey) a good match. Also the aircraft in natural metal looked rather weathered and I preferred to show my model in a factory fresh finish. After scribing the panel lines, it was time for the airbrush. Fortunately the airbrushing of the uppersurface and the undersurface went well and at last the final stage came in sight.

"In Part Four I'll show the final results!"

With special thanks to John for sharing these details and images of his stunning project with Aviation of Japan.

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David Walker's 1/48 Mitsubishi J2M3 Raiden

March 12, 2020, 6:05 am

≫ Next: Betty Off Malaya

≪ Previous: Ki-74 'Patsy' in 1/48 by John Haas ~ Part Three

The excellent 1/48 scale Japanese aircraft models of David Walker have graced the Aviation of Japan blog before, with his superb Kawanishi N1K2-J Shiden-kai showcased in November 2009 and his fine Nakajima Ki-84 Hayate 'Frank' featured in September 2017. Both models give the appearance of being to a larger scale and his Raiden model, showcased here, is no exception.

David's model was built from the 1/48 scale Hasegawa Mitsubishi J2M3 kit, # 09667, first released in 1996. David observes that this kit is similar to many Japanese WW2 kits made by Hasegawa, generally presenting excellent surface detail, a good tight fit and clear and easy assembly. The photos of the model were taken by David's friend Kevin McCue of Galashiels. David described his build as follows:-

"This model has the AeroMaster Empire Defenders Part 4 aftermarket decals for The 332nd Naval Air Group based at the Naruo Air base in Japan, 1945. I also fitted the extremely rare (and out of production) Moskit exhausts, Air Master 20mm cannon barrels, together with three photo-etched detail sets - Eduard FE117 and 48-201 which are designed for the Raiden (both sets provide important items that the other does not!) with one from the N1K2-J for added handles and switches not contained in those sets, and a Squadron vac form canopy, plus a Fukuya Pitot Tube. I also used the ring and bead sight from the N1K2-J etch set fitted to the Hasegawa gun sight part N4 – the existence of this gun sight is not mentioned by the Eduard etch sets!

"As I had obtained a large number of detailed Raiden cockpit photos and drawings from Japanese aviation magazines from a j-aircraft forum expert I was able to use those to add a scratch-built radio set and fine brass wiring on the shelf behind the pilots seat so the model was as accurate as I could make it.

"The model was fitted with the alternative high-performance propeller and I used modelling putty to represent the leather head rest which is not provided in the Hasegawa kit. All these additions made a huge difference to the look of the Raiden model and overall I am delighted with it as completed."

And so David should be with such a beautifully presented and imposing model!With very special thanks to David for sharing these images and for his patience in waiting for them to be posted!

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Betty Off Malaya

March 20, 2020, 6:06 am

≫ Next: Dead Design Delivers The Goodies ~ 1/48 scale

≪ Previous: David Walker's 1/48 Mitsubishi J2M3 Raiden

Hat tip to Aviation of Japan's Texas correspondent Mark Smith for kindly alterting to the re-release of the venerable Hasegawa Mitsubishi G4M1 'Betty' in 1/72 scale. This time Betty is dressed for the 'Sea Battle off Malaya' in green and brown, with markings options for three aircraft of the Kanoya Ku, the unit which sank the Royal Navy's battleship HMS Prince of Wales and battlecruiser HMS Repulse on 10 December 1941, off Kuantan on the east coast of Malaya. They are 2nd Chutai K-315 or K-357 and 3rd Chutai K-338. The G4M 'Betty' was officially the Type 1 Land-based Attack Aircraft (一式陸上攻撃機 - Ichi Shiki Rikujoh Kohgeki-ki) often abbreviated as Type 1 Rikko (一式陸攻 - Ichi Shiki Rikko). Betty's subsequent misfortunes have somewhat overshadowed the startling success of its torpedo attacks on the two British capital ships.

The splendid new box art appears to follow the convention of Kariki 117 colour standards D2 and H2 for the two-tone green and brown camouflage over natural metal, but the issue of IJN browns was tentatively explored here in no less than five parts (!) during June 2008, with contemporary artwork of a Kanoya Ku Type 1 Rikko over HMS Prince of Wales, courtesy of the late Jim Lansdale, subsequently posted here. The current Hasegawa instructions suggest Gunze Mr Color 124 Dark Green (Mitsubishi) for the green, but a Mr Color mix for the brown of 40% 7 Brown + 30% 4 Yellow + 30% 6 Green. I haven't tried this yet but presume it results in a colour approximating the box art, perhaps just a little more 'earthy'. It is the same mix suggested in the 2007 release 'Repulse Attack' which offered markings for no less than seven Kanoya Ku aircraft, including K-310 flown by the 3rd Chutai leader Lt Haruki Iki and as shown below on a Hasegawa promotional model.

2007 'Repulse Attack' release

The Hasegawa kit was released in 1969 so exceeds the half century in vintage, first appearing in chunky dark green plastic with lots of rivets (or was that the third re-release in 1971?). Since then it has re-appeared 17 times in various different boxes and guises, including releases by AMT and Minicraft in the USA and Hales in the UK. It was planned to be released as kit F284 by Frog in 1969 but that never happened and Hales imported the kit in 1972 adding their sticker to the then current box which featured the second version of box art with 'Jinrai' markings and the Ohka included in the kit. The interior was simplified but it conveyed the look of the aircraft reasonably well. Perusal of the latest instructions indicates no changes to the basic moulding which would benefit greatly from some aftermarket replacement cowlings (hint)! But a photo of Owen Veal's model here, built straight from the kit and painted with Humbrol Authentics, shows how good it can look.

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Dead Design Delivers The Goodies ~ 1/48 scale

March 21, 2020, 2:49 pm

≫ Next: Dead Design Delivers The Goodies ~ 1/48 scale ~ Addenda

≪ Previous: Betty Off Malaya

The prolific Dead Design Modelscontinues the release of vac form canopies and paint masks for Japanese aircraft kits, new and old, in 1/48 and 1/72 scales.

Beginning with 1/48 scale releases set CM48003 provides a vacform canopy and spray masks for the Fine Molds Mitsubishi Ki-15 'Kamikaze' kit. The canopy is moulded in five sections for easy removal from the riser and for display with the windscreen, pilot's canopy, centre section, observer's canopy and rear section as separate parts. This set also includes spray masks for the canopy, all types of side windows, the ventral window, landing light transparency and main wheel hubs. This set retails direct from Dead Design at €9.61 (approximately £8.85 Sterling or US$10.30).

Set CM48009 is designed for that venerable veteran the Nichimo Mitsubishi Ki-51 'Sonia'. The vacform canopy is in separate sections as for the Ki-15 and also importantly corrects the kit's simplified and short rear section. This set includes paint masks for the canopy, ventral windows and main wheel hubs. A most commendable aspect of Dead Design's designs is their attention to improving and upgrading older kits which many modellers will still have in the stash. This set retails direct from Dead Design at €7.68 (approximately £7 Sterling or US$8.22).

Set CM48010 will provide the Hasegawa Kawasaki Ki-100 'Ko' (razorback) kit with a vacform canopy split into windscreen, sliding canopy and rear fairing sections, as well as paint masks for the canopy, landing light transparency and main wheel hubs. Price TBA.

Set CM48011 has similar provision for the Hasegawa Kawasaki Ki-100 'Otsu' (bubbletop) kit. Price TBA.

VM48051 for Nichimo Ki-43-1

VM48055 for Tamiya A6M3/5 New Mould Kits

The following sets provide paint masks only for the kits as described (click links for prices which vary) :-

VM48025 Canopy mask for the Nichimo Nakajima B5N1/2 kit, including masks for all transparencies and main wheel hubs
VM48031Canopy mask for the Nichimo Kawasaki Ki-45 Toryu kit, including masks for all transparencies and all wheel hubs
VM48050Canopy mask for the Hasegawa Kawasaki Ki-45 Toryu kit, with masks for open or closed canopies, side windows and landing light transparency
VM48051 Canopy mask for the Nichimo Nakajima Ki-43-I Hayabusa kit, including masks for all transparencies and main wheel hubs
VM48052 Canopy mask for the Hasegawa Mitsubishi J2M3 Raiden kits, including masks for the armoured glass and all wheel hubs
VM48053Canopy mask for the Hasegawa Mitsubishi J2M5/6 Raiden kits, including masks for the armoured glass and all wheel hubs
VM48055 Canopy mask for the Tamiya new mould (post 2008) Mitsubishi A6M3/5 Reisen kits, including masks for cockpit floor transparency and main wheel hubs
VM48056Canopy Mask for all Hasegawa Mitsubishi A6M1/2a Model 11 Reisen kits including prototype and including masks for all wheel hubs
VM48057 Canopy mask for the Hasegawa Mitsubishi A6M2b/3/5 Model 21, 22, 32, 52a, b. c, kits, including masks for all wheel hubs
VM48058 Canopy mask for the Hasegawa Mitsubishi A6M2-K Reisen Trainer kits, including masks for main wheel hubs
VM48059 Canopy mask for the Tamiya old mould (pre 2008) A6M2/3/5 Reisen kits and Nakajima A6M2-N Suisen kits, including masks for open or closed canopies and main wheel hubs
VM48060 Canopy mask for the Hasegawa Mitsubishi A6M5c/7/8 Reisen kits, including masks for armoured glass, fuselage window and all wheel hubs
VM48061 Canopy mask for the Hasegawa Mitsubishi A6M5 Reisen Nightfighter kits, including windscreen mounted gunsight and all wheel hubs

VM48068 National Insignia masksfor Fine Molds D4Y - plain hinomaru

VM48062 National Insignia masks for Hasegawa Ki-43-1

The following sets provide masks for national insignia and other markings:-

VM48054National insignia etc masks to replace decals for the Tamiya Kawasaki Ki-61-1d Hien kit
VM48062 National insignia etc masks to replace decals for the Hasegawa Nakajima Ki-43-1 Hayabusa kits, including mask for 50th Sentai fuselage lightning flash
VM48063 National insignia etc masks to replace decals for the Hasegawa Nakajima Ki-43-II/III Hayabusa kits, including mask for 64th Sentai arrow tail marking
VM48064National insignia etc masks to replace decals for the Fine Molds Nakajima Ki-43-II/III Hayabusa kits, including mask for 33rd Sentai tail marking
VM48065 National insignia etc masks to replace decals for the Hasegawa Kawasaki Ki-45 Toryu kits, including mask for 53rd Sentai tail marking
VM48066 National insignia etc masks to replace decals for the Hasegawa Ki-61/Ki-100 kits, including mask for 56th Sentai tail marking
VM48067 National insignia etc masks to replace decals for the Fine Molds D4Y Suisei kits, including masks for white bordered hinomaru, wind drift and dive bombing indication markings
VM48068National insignia etc masks to replace decals for the Fine Molds D4Y Suisei kits, including masks for unbordered hinomaru, wind drift and dive bombing indication markings

SM48006 Optical Illusion masks for Fine Molds A5M family

The following sets are optical illusion masks for control surfaces, prices vary from €4.99 to €5.76 (approximately £4.58-5.29 and US$ 5.34-6.16):-

SM48005 for Wingsy Mitsubishi A5M 'Claude' kits
SM48006 for Fine Molds Mitsubishi A5M 'Claude' kits
SM48007 for Hasegawa Mitsubishi A6M2a/b Model 11/21 kits
SM48008 for Hasegawa Mitsubishi A6M3 Model 32 kits
SM48009 for Hasegawa Mitsubishi A6M3 Model 22 kits
SM48010 for Hasegawa A6M5a/b/c.2-K Model 52 (early wing sprue 'C')
SM48011 for Tamiya A6M3 Model 22
SM48018 for Tamiya A6M5 Model 52
SM48019 for Hasegawa A6M5c/7 Model 52c/63

The heading photo shows the effect of using the optical illusion mask on an aileron. Instructions for using these innovative masks can be found at the Dead Design website here.

With special thanks to Jan of Dead Design Models for providing this information.

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Dead Design Delivers The Goodies ~ 1/48 scale ~ Addenda

March 22, 2020, 7:29 am

≫ Next: Dead Design Delivers The Goodies ~ 1/72 scale

≪ Previous: Dead Design Delivers The Goodies ~ 1/48 scale

A few items were ommitted in yesterday's mega listing of Dead Design Models goodies. It is easier to include those in a new blog than add them to the existing one as formatting the spacing in Blogger is a nightmare of trial and error!

Set CM48012 (shown above) provides a vacform canopy and paint masks for the Hasegawa (ex-Mania) Nakajima Ki-27 kit Ko (early) version. The canopy is moulded in seperate sections for easy removal from the riser, and consists of windscreen, sliding hood and rear fairing. The set includes masks for the main wheel hubs. The set retails direct from Dead Design at €6.92 (approximately £6.36 Sterling or US$7.40).

Set CM48013 (shown above) provides a vacform canopy and paint masks for the Hasegawa Nakajima Ki-27 kit Otsu (later) version. The canopy is moulded in seperate sections for easy removal from the riser, and consists of windscreen, sliding hood and rear fairing. The set includes masks for the main wheel hubs. The set retails direct from Dead Design at €6.92 (approximately £6.36 Sterling or US$7.40).

Set VM48046(shown above) provides paint masks only for the Hasegawa Aichi B7A2 Ryusei 'Grace' kits for the canopy and all wheel hubs. The set retails direct from Dead Design at €6.92 (approximately £6.36 Sterling or US$7.40).

Set VM48074(shown above) provides paint masks only for both types of canopies in the Hasegawa Nakajima Ki-27 'Nate' kit. The set retails direct from Dead Design at €6.15 (approximately £5.65 Sterling or US$6.58).

For those interested in the original Mania version of the Hasegawa Ki-27 kit or planning to build any of the many releases there is an excellent retrospective and build at the Replica in Scale blog, which includes some really useful heads ups and tips for building too. The kit was featured here too but in much less detail.

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