Tamiya 1/48 A6M2-N Type 2 Float Plane

[Ran]

The lock down has its upside  - my Ju-87D build goes really fast.

It's time for the next one. As my stash is mostly stored and I can't get to it with the lock-down, I have to pick from the couple of boxes I haven't had time to put in storage. This makes selection easier.

My next one will be the Tamiya 1/48 A6M2-N Type 2 Float Plane:

 

 

 

 

 

This is gonna be my first Japanese plane and the first one with a motor driven propeller.

 

 

 

 

[Ran]

With all this Work-From-Home period - building is proving to be a nice and convenient 'time-out' activity. 

It also means builds go faster - with less time to sit down and update.

 

The Rufe started with making the basis for the diorama and the part that will allow the model to sit on the little rod provided. Nice engineering by Tamiya - especially the instructions how to make the hole in the fuselage in such a way as to allow for diagonal fitting (its not circular).

 

 

 

As this will be part of a diorama (comes with the kit) I decided to model the pilot in seat and use the closed canopy. I also vowed to keep AMS to zero. 

So - here is the brave pilot - I'm getting to enjoy this but I really need/would like to learn how to make the cloth appear more realistic. 

 

Cockpit was painted Metalic Blue - Tamiya X13 - a nice change from the usual greens. knobs and lever where picked with silver/white/red and yellow pencils. 

 

 

Canopy fit was a bit poor - had to shim a bit:

 

I was really controlling my AMS feets until I saw this image of a Hassegawa build by Chip Jean:

 

I just had to add these re-cocking lever of the guns:

 

 

 

Engine was painted - and AMS resisted

 

 

 

 

 

God bless/curse these greenhouse canopies:

 

Used the X-13 as a base for the internal color of the canopy ribs:

 

Next was primer - I do not know why I get these poor results:

 

 

 

So - that's it up to know. 

 

Comments are welcomed 

Best

Ran

 

[Ran]

As the Covid-19 situation continues - so it the chance to spend time at the bench and the builds progresses so I have little time to update the build log.

With the build going so fast - I noticed I take less pictures as well.

 

Following the primer I did the following:

 

1. Painting the bottom parts with Tamiya XF-12 J.N. Gray. It was so fun - no photos taken.

2. Painted and masked the leading edge yellow strips. 

3. You did notice I forgot to pre-shade - so I did that after the Gray.

4. Tons of masking

5. Top cover with Tamiya XF-11 J.N. Green. Lot's fun as well. I did manage to get some different coverage effects with the green.

 

 

 

After removing the masks I shop Alclad Klear Cote and then added some washes. The white ones look a bit too pronounced but should look nice. This is especially true for the black coaling.

 

 

Then it was time for decaling, which went down quite smoothly. Not too many decals.

 

 

Of course I managed to break the aerial. As the cross section of the part is so small, and the radio antenna IS tied to that part - I devised a way to re-reinforce the mast.

 

First clue:

 

 

That's all for tonight. 

Comments are welcomed 

 

BR

Ran

[Ran]

Well - it's done !

 

Final touches included finishing up the antenna mast repair:

 

 

Building up the diorama base was next:

 

 

 

Finishing up touches - spinner, some paint and up it goes !

 

Then connect all the wires

 

 

 

Then some pictures (full pack in 'Ready-for-inspection'):

 

 

And some videos:

 

 

Startup - see these wings move !

 

 

 

 

That was a fun build that also went fast - another pilot, motorized spinner, nice shade of green and a yellow stripe.

Probably my fastest build to date.

Too bad my airbrush broke down during the build.

 

Comments are welcomed.

Ran

Edited April 29, 2020 by Ran