CheshireGap Posted December 30, 2020 Share Posted December 30, 2020 Decided that the next challenge should be an old kit, one with raised panel lines that needed a full engraving and riveting job done on it; chickening out on old Monogram B-24 & B-26 kits as I wanted a quicker build, out came this old Hasegawa kit; this still hasn't been a quick build: too much work and trying to slowly pack up the house ahead of a move in the new year. Overall this is a surprisingly good kit, yes the detail is not up to modern standards, but the fit is very good, making for a simple, fast build. The only challenge is the one I set myself. I didn't add much to the cockpit, just careful painting a few handles on the throttles, and a seat borrowed from a N1K1 Shiden update set (yes, I misread it and ordered the set for a different aircraft!) The to work with the engraver and the rivet tool; there are some lines already engraved around the intake and on the wing, but the rest are me. I left some raised lines in inaccessible areas and for small rectangular hatches; most of the rivet layout is my imagination as I could not find a decent plan. I chose to depict larger fasteners around the gun access panels. All this is highlighted with Vallejo black panel line wash; this wipes off bare plastic easily when dry, leaving a nice contrast, but over paint it doesn't seem to come off at all, so I avoid using it over primer. I am not bothering with primer here, rather going straight over the plastic. And initially this seemed to be working out well; this is the underside grey going down, using the Mission Models system for the first time It did not work out quite so well in reality; I don't know what it is like over primer, but over bare plastic this stuff comes off with the lightest of touches, its very fragile. And yes it went down nice and wet, so this isn't a drying-too-quick issue. In the end I wiped it all off - and it was easy to wipe off - and laid down some XtracrylixNeutral Grey (I am not too fussed about colour accuracy for this one) A quick spray of interior green over the canopy and we are ready to mask up and lay down the green Everything seems to show through nicely A slightly lighter version of the green was then used to break up the monotone a bit, and some pastel work to add a bit of dirt here and there; obviously this is all in what-if territory as this aircraft never saw combat, indeed I believe it was never actually fitted with real guns, so the kit is a bit 1946 as presented by Hasegawa And that brings us up to date; I hope to be adding a gloss coat and decals in the next few days, assuming they are still usable after 30 years in a box! 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bentwaters81tfw Posted December 30, 2020 Share Posted December 30, 2020 You will need to brace the MLG legs. A small piece of plastic wedged between the leg and the outer door works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CheshireGap Posted December 30, 2020 Author Share Posted December 30, 2020 Thanks for the tip! I must admit to looking at them and wondering how they will support anything, Hasegawa do not supply much of a peg to hold to it in place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CheshireGap Posted January 1, 2021 Author Share Posted January 1, 2021 Thought I would have a bash at getting this finished withing 2020, but falling a hour or so short of that target...following the tip from bentwaters81tfw, I decided to bolster the pegs for the undercarriage legs with brass tubing, sized up for the hole: So far this seems to be holding... Decals were disappointing, too bright, and out of register with a noticeable white line appearing on one edge; I only used them for the underside and decided to make masks elsewhere The prop is fiddly to paint but plenty of fine tape and it gets done easily enough And that is nearly up to date; I have since superglued the undercarriage in place and am adding the doors & aerials to wrap it up, will post an RFI in 2021... 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sturmovik Posted January 1, 2021 Share Posted January 1, 2021 Nice progress, the Shinden is possibly my favourite Japanese fighter (I have two). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackman Posted January 1, 2021 Share Posted January 1, 2021 What green are you using for the main fuselage colour? It looks good. I like the lightly faded effect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CheshireGap Posted January 1, 2021 Author Share Posted January 1, 2021 Its a mix of Tamiya XF58 Olive Green and XF67 Nato Green, then added a couple of drops of XF71 IJN Cockpit Green for fading; strictly speaking the whole combo is probably too light, in photos the Shinden appears much darker, but I like the overall effect, and that is what counts! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted January 1, 2021 Share Posted January 1, 2021 Very nice work. I like the paint and sprayed markings. I too have (an ancient) boxing in the stash. I always wanted to convert mine into some sort of Sky Crawlers version. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackman Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 (edited) On 1/1/2021 at 8:05 PM, CheshireGap said: Its a mix of Tamiya XF58 Olive Green and XF67 Nato Green, then added a couple of drops of XF71 IJN Cockpit Green for fading; strictly speaking the whole combo is probably too light, in photos the Shinden appears much darker, but I like the overall effect, and that is what counts! Nah, don't worry about it. I, too want to build mine with slightly faded & lighter green like yours. My inspiration is this wonderful boxart by the legendary Shigeo Koike: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b0/e0/99/b0e09939c4e276e8e81772fe0241e9f0.jpg Edited January 2, 2021 by Jackman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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