Mitsubishi J4M Senden "Luke"

[Mig88]

Hello everyone

 

Here is my latest kit, finished this past weekend. It is A&W's 1:144 Mitsubishi J4M Senden "Luke". I have finished it in fictitious markings representing a machine from the 407th Fighter Squadron, 343rd Naval Flying Group, IJN, from Matsuyama Air Base, in late 1945.

 

A&W kits are made by Anigrand Craftswork and cover only Japanese aircraft both real or projected, as is this case. The J4M was never built not even as a prototype as the IJN preferred the Kyushu J7W instead. Surprisingly though, the Allies gave it a codename.

 

The resin parts were quite clean but had some moulding flaws that had to be dealt with. The joining of parts wasn't bad but still needed work and getting the main components properly aligned was very tricky and I didn't get it quite right. The kit was built mostly OOB with some details added such as the wing pitot tube and the 30mm cannon. In fact the kit came with only one gun on the port side. I removed this detail (I didn't like it) and made holes for the three guns it was supposed to carry as per some plans I found on internet. It was painted and varnished with brush. All decals came from my spares since the kit only came with insignia and the red was too light. Since "Senden" means "flashing lightning" I couldn't help putting some lightning bolt decals in the nose area (from a Sweet Rufe decal sheet).

 

Thank you for looking and, as always, all comments are welcome
Miguel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Toryu]

A very nicely finished model of this rare subject you got here. It seems Japanese prototypes and what-ifs enjoy a certain popularity at current. This is a great addition!

[ajmm]

Superb!

[Doc72]

Very nice. Based on the photos, it could easily pass for 1/72. 

[opus999]

I've never seen one of those before... What a neat looking aircraft! You did such a great job with it too; it really could pass for 1/72.

[Mig88]

Thank you everyone for your lovely comments!

 

Miguel