28ZComeback Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 Greetings all, i was looking at my Tamiya Dinah and thinking of how I could backdate it to a Ki-46 II with the stepped nose. I was wondering if anyone makes a fuselage conversion in 1/48? It may be an opportunity for one of the resin conversion resin outfits such as Lone Star Models or Alleycat. Thank you all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Smith Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 1 hour ago, 28ZComeback said: i was looking at my Tamiya Dinah and thinking of how I could backdate it to a Ki-46 II with the stepped nose. Tamiya do a Ki-46 III with a stepped nose I've not seen a Ki-46 II conversion done, I have dim memories it's not that simple, I know the II has different engines, and a different canopy, but a III Kai kit maybe a better starting point? the is a II below. @Toryu has made some informed posting on Japanese types recently, and maybe able to add some further info and correct any misconceptions I may have made also @MDriskill @Blimpyboy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blimpyboy Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 (edited) From memory, the stepped cockpit and nose profile of the Ki-46-III kai is very different to that of the Ki-46-II. Also, I think the rear canopy glazing arrangement of the -III series (-III and -III kai) is different to that of the -IIs, with the -II's having much more framework and panes. Either way, I think you'd have to do some significant surgery to backdate either of the Tamiya -III series kits. I've not heard of any conversions, sorry (never say never, 'though). I agree that it would be a good opportunity for someone to make in better economic climes - I'd upscale for one! I suspect 1/72 scale may be your best friend with this one! If it helps, this page and decal sheets might provide some inspiration to do something more interesting with your -III: http://www.gahoh.net/traffic/ww2/profile/KI45-46/index.php and and Edited January 17, 2021 by Blimpyboy 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
28ZComeback Posted January 17, 2021 Author Share Posted January 17, 2021 Thank you all. Perhaps Mr. Tamiya is listening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Boak Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 In 1/72 the LS range (or should that be Arii nowadays?) included alternative canopies, not sure which came with which, but the Falcon canopy set provides alternatives for other kits. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toryu Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 The Ki-46-II and -III differed in some relevant areas as others have already commented. I didn't have time to look up all details, but there are - larger engines for the -III with individual exhaust stacks - a different rear cockpit glazing and size - several internal rearrangements - and most important, the round vs. stepped nose. Even the stepped-nose -III has a completely different front office layout, position and canopy size compared with the -II. In view of these major differences I don't think it's possible to convert a -III into a -II, even with the best of scratch-building skills. Unfortunately, I'm not aware of a conversion set either. The best book about the Ki-46, in my view, is the REVI II-4002 'Mitsubishi Ki-46 Dinah' by Martin Ferkl. There are 1/72 plan views of all dimensions that show the differences between all variants. Cheers, Michael 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDriskill Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 (edited) Seems like the original question has been thoroughly answered! But as a point of technical interest, the Ki-46-II used Mitsubishi Ha-102 engines (perhaps better known by its Navy name, "Zuisei"), and the Ki-46-III the Ha-112 ("Kinsei"). These two 14-cylinder designs were in a sense "modular," being basically the same crankcase with different piston strokes - the more powerful Ha-112 having longer cylinders than the Ha-102. This made the real-life engine swap relatively easy, but the Ki-46-III Dinah's cowls were thus larger in diameter and also longer, extending well past the wing trailing edge. Along with the other points already mentioned, that would be a tough conversion given the Tamiya kit's parts breakdown. I also highly recommend the Ferkl "REVI" book, really excellent. The old "Maru Mechanic" / "Mechanic of World Aircraft" issue is very good too, along with the later black cover "Famous Aircraft of the World" (FAOW) series. In 1/72 scale, Hasegawa did an excellent job with all major Dinah variants. The older LS / Arii kits are also good (and can be found really cheap here in the US at least), but do a better job with the "II" than the "III." This photo of the two engines is from the REVI book. Edited January 18, 2021 by MDriskill 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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