Bitzer Posted May 5, 2017 Share Posted May 5, 2017 I'm starting the Airfix 1/72 B5N2 Kate and decorating it in the Shokaku Carrier Division 5 clan. I will be fitting it out in the stored, but armed configuration as it would have been in the hanger deck prior to an attack. The kit has a fairly large parts count considering it's a 1/72 scale kit. There is a picture of EI-311 landing on the Shokaku in April 1942 but can't seem to locate it right now. The Kate was arguably the best carrier borne level and torpedo bomber at the beginning of the war but soon was easily bested against the Allies due to its lack of speed and armor. It was to be replaced by the B6N Tenzan or "Jill" which was late due to teething issues in development. The Kate would solder on through 1945 without shamefully, a single one surviving to the end. The Kate is one of my favorite planes and because of that I'm astonished I have never built one before. Beginning on the kit, the steps have me starting with the wings. Cutting the wings along the intended line was very easy. The kit is made from the soft but very workable Airfix plastic. The sight window is also installed and holes are drilled for whichever armament will be used if any. The wing ribs at the folds are way too thick for this scale but make installation easy. I don't believe the thickness will be noticed once the kit is complete. The cockpit is molded in the lower wing. The seats, controls and such are added to the wing section. More to come soon. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Dapple Posted May 5, 2017 Share Posted May 5, 2017 Ooh, an early-ish Kate, I'm in, Bitzer Cheers, Stew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bitzer Posted May 5, 2017 Author Share Posted May 5, 2017 8 hours ago, Bitzer said: I'm starting the Airfix 1/72 B5N2 Kate and decorating it in the Shokaku Carrier Division 5 clan. I will be fitting it out in the stored, but armed configuration as it would have been in the hanger deck prior to an attack. The kit has a fairly large parts count considering it's a 1/72 scale kit. There is a picture of EI-311 landing on the Shokaku in April 1942 but can't seem to locate it right now. The Kate was arguably the best carrier borne level and torpedo bomber at the beginning of the war but soon was easily bested against the Allies due to its lack of speed and armor. It was to be replaced by the B6N Tenzan or "Jill" which was late due to teething issues in development. The Kate would solder on through 1945 without shamefully, a single one surviving to the end. The Kate is one of my favorite planes and because of that I'm astonished I have never built one before. Beginning on the kit, the steps have me starting with the wings. Cutting the wings along the intended line was very easy. The kit is made from the soft but very workable Airfix plastic. The sight window is also installed and holes are drilled for whichever armament will be used if any. The wing ribs at the folds are way too thick for this scale but make installation easy. I don't believe the thickness will be noticed once the kit is complete. The cockpit is molded in the lower wing. The seats, controls and such are added to the wing section. More to come soon. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bitzer Posted May 5, 2017 Author Share Posted May 5, 2017 "There is a picture of EI-311 landing on the Shokaku in April 1942 but can't seem to locate it right now." My boo boo, the pictures I was thinking of were of the Kate AI-301 in April 42 on the Akagi....which is my next build. The 1/72 Hase Kit. Looking through that kit, there is a world of difference. I prefer the Airfix kit far more. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bitzer Posted May 7, 2017 Author Share Posted May 7, 2017 A little more on the Kate today. The pit is installed and painted as well as the interior fuse. Next will be mating the fuse and wings then adding the stabilizers and rudder. The kit is fitting very will and the interior detail is quite nice. 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antb Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 Looks like an interesting build, mind if I follow along? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bitzer Posted May 7, 2017 Author Share Posted May 7, 2017 Sure Antb, There's room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bitzer Posted May 8, 2017 Author Share Posted May 8, 2017 Continuing on with the Kate. I attached the fuselage to the wings and vert stabilizers to the fuse. The only complaint I have with the kit, which is easily remedied with a little trimming and sanding, is the attachment point of the wings and stabilizers to the parts tree. The attachment points are big and invade on the surfaces. But like I said these are easily remedied. If you decide to build this kit, be aware of the gauge at the bombardier's position. The panel it is attached to came loose while installing the fuselage because the gauge slips into a slot on the fuse. This was easily fixed bit reinstalling the panel after the fuse was on. The gaps at the wings and stabilizers are very small and the fit is tremendous IMO. I really like this kit. Good on ya Airfix! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bitzer Posted May 10, 2017 Author Share Posted May 10, 2017 I worked on the seams tonight, painted some grey to check for smoothness and sanded a little more. I then went over the panel lines to remove the Mr Thinned Putty and I think that should do it.Tomorrow night I'm spraying silver for a base for some chipping. Japanese aircraft weren't as worn out and chipped as they were at the end of the war but there was some. I also sanded and smoothed the torpedo. I'm not going with the Type 91 modification 2 Torpedo which was used at Pearl (adding the wooden fins) because I'm building this as a May 1942 time frame. The kit is awesome enough to include the wood fins for the Mod 2 torp, but doesn't seem to include instructions to add the modification to the kits torpedo. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Dapple Posted May 10, 2017 Share Posted May 10, 2017 Hi Bitzer, That's coming together really nicely now, good work Cheers, Stew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bitzer Posted May 11, 2017 Author Share Posted May 11, 2017 I sprayed the silver on the kit and will start with the base coat tomorrow. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Dapple Posted May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 Looks smooth At the risk of appearing to be trying to teach you how to suck eggs; you won't be chipping the fabric covered surfaces? Cheers, Stew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bitzer Posted May 12, 2017 Author Share Posted May 12, 2017 LOL, no Stew, I won't be. I sprayed the black nose then the overall grey base coat. The upper surfaces have green squiggles and blotched which I hope to get to tonight. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bitzer Posted May 14, 2017 Author Share Posted May 14, 2017 Now it's time for a wash then a dull coat. The open canopy is molded together so is somewhat interesting to paint. I'll install the wings after the canopy is attached. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob85 Posted May 14, 2017 Share Posted May 14, 2017 She looks excellent mate, really nice paint work! i like the idea of building a few Japanese aircraft, maybe the Kate should be one Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bitzer Posted May 14, 2017 Author Share Posted May 14, 2017 Thanks Rob, Airfix really did a nice job on this one. The decals are a little thick but nothing that a setting solution can't handle. While I have 3 or 4 Hasegawa Zeros I want the Airfix kit abd I hoping they will be making a Val. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob85 Posted May 14, 2017 Share Posted May 14, 2017 29 minutes ago, Bitzer said: Thanks Rob, Airfix really did a nice job on this one. The decals are a little thick but nothing that a setting solution can't handle. While I have 3 or 4 Hasegawa Zeros I want the Airfix kit abd I hoping they will be making a Val. I have a new tamiya zero in the collection but it would be rude for it not to have any mates to hang out with! Looking forward to the rest of your work Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeR Posted May 14, 2017 Share Posted May 14, 2017 Coming along nicely! Mike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bitzer Posted May 20, 2017 Author Share Posted May 20, 2017 (edited) Thanks Rob and Mike! I moved the completed build to Ready for Inspection. I forgot to hit Submit Reply a few days ago...sorry. Edited May 20, 2017 by Bitzer 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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