Red Dot Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 Hello everyone, Here's my latest completion. It's the 1/72 resin kit from North Wing Model Craft of the Kawasaki EC-1, which for those that don't know (and there are a lot of you), is a unique Japanese Air Self Defense Force electronic counter measures trainer. It is based on the Kawasaki C-1, and whilst it is not the world's prettiest aircraft, it is nevertheless very interesting. Until recently, this was the only model available in this scale and it is exremely rare, very expensive and very difficult to make. But, sometimes you just have to go for it, especially as it was obtained by a friend in Japan, who then passed away and sadly did not see it's completion. So, in memory of Wing Co, here's what i let myself in for. Bearing in mind that the masters for the resin casting are all hand-crafted, as the kit came out long before CAD design and 3D printing were common-place, the overall package is superb. Everything is contained in the smallish stout box, including decals and 1/72 scale plans. However, and its a VERY BIG however, whilst all the parts fit in the allocated places, there are many gaps to fill and finesse. To give you an idea, i used two tubes of Tamiya filler, two bottles of Mr Surfacer and a bottle of thinners on this project. Literally every large component needs several cycles of gluing, filling, sanding, priming and re-scribing. The only real dissappointment was the cockpit glazing section, which was cast in clear resin, but was very thick and opaque. I ended up plunge-moulding a new part using the kit item as a master. To my shock, this went absolutely perfectly, and meant that the details i then added to the interior of the cockpit could be clearly seen, with a good light source! When i got to the painting stage, i found that the primer and paint didn't stick to the resin in a lot of places, even though the model had been thoroughly cleaned. At times it was very depressing having to start again, but i was determined not to let it beat me. All of the walkways and white ECM blister stripes were sprayed and masked, as that was far easier to do than using decals. Once the paint was on, assembly of the highly-detailed metal-reinforced resin undercarriage went well, as did applying the decals, even though they were thick and didn't really settle into the panel lines. Weathering was carried out with Tamiya sets, Flory Models washes and pastel chalks. In real life, this aircraft is well-used and gets filthy even though it is well-cared for by it's ground crew. I've included a few in progess photos, so that you can feel my pain! Was it worth it? Too right. I'd recommend it to anyone, if you can get hold of one, but you need bucket loads of patience and perseverance. You also need a lot of space as it's big too. Hope you like it Andy 44 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorbertBu Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 Well done, Andy! I have gained a lot of experience with resin kits myself and I can definitely feel your pain! But I also know, how proud you must be being the maker of such an attractive model! Look at all the details, the white stripes (no pun intended), the escape hatch and the sewer. I like it very much! Norbert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 Very well done Andy, an excellent result on a very tricky kit. Very much worth the time and effort that you put into it. The base sets it off very well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baldwin8 Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 A unique subject, hits my soft spot of modern JASDF. Your WIP shots show the challenges of this kit. Thank you for your efforts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Head in the clouds. Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 I can only imagine what it was like maneuvering on the ground with that great, flat radome in front of you. Nice job on a very rare aircraft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Dot Posted May 3, 2021 Author Share Posted May 3, 2021 Thanks all. You're right, Head in the Clouds, it must be awful to manoeuvre and land. I have seen the real thing, and you don't realise how big the nose is until you see it in plan view Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hayabusa Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 こんばんは、アンディ。 綺麗な飛行機ですね。 こんな醜い子供を愛せるのは母親だけだ。 🙃 Tomatsu San 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Dot Posted May 3, 2021 Author Share Posted May 3, 2021 確かにあなたは正しいトマーティンです。 大好きです Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Delta 210 Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 1 hour ago, Hayabusa said: こんばんは、アンディ。 綺麗な飛行機ですね。 こんな醜い子供を愛せるのは母親だけだ。 🙃 Tomatsu San Good old Google translate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAT69 Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 That's quite an accomplishment, completing that one. Congratulations! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Dot Posted May 3, 2021 Author Share Posted May 3, 2021 39 minutes ago, Alpha Delta 210 said: Good old Google translate! Works every time 🤣 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Latinbear Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 A truly stunning piece of work of Andy of an unusual and little known aircraft. Well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shorty84 Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 Hi Andy, that must be the first one I've seen built and judging from your photos and description I can guess why. All the more I'm impressed by your finished kit, and it looks really distinctive with all the lumps and bumps sticking out. A great tribute to your friend! Cheers Markus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glyn Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 Andy So that's why you have been really quiet recently.I wondered what you were up to.Very nice model that. Glyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr T Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 Very nice build, I didn't realise there was a kit of C1 available. Big resin kits are always a bit of a challenge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Dot Posted May 3, 2021 Author Share Posted May 3, 2021 thanks very much for the compliments guys Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dolphin38 Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 Awesome work, probably the only time I will see one of these in kit form, again great work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForestFan Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 Fantastic job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Dot Posted May 3, 2021 Author Share Posted May 3, 2021 2 minutes ago, Mr T said: Very nice build, I didn't realise there was a kit of C1 available. Big resin kits are always a bit of a challenge. NWMC also do a C-1 as well as this EC-1 version, if you can find them. There is a new company called Wings Factory who are also palnning to release the C-1 (not sure about the EC-1), but their quality isn't as good as NWMC by a long way, if their T-400 is anything to go by. It look very basic indeed. Check out the Rumour Monger section as One Man Models are also mentioned. Their kits are somewhere in between quality-wise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Dot Posted May 3, 2021 Author Share Posted May 3, 2021 hi Glynn, I have definitely had my head down on this one. Hope you're well Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelh Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 It definitely falls neatly into the 'you learn something new every day' category. I had no idea an aircraft like that existed. Great job on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Dot Posted May 3, 2021 Author Share Posted May 3, 2021 thanks NoelH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spruecutter Posted May 4, 2021 Share Posted May 4, 2021 Excellent result, Andy. I know this was a true labour of love (maybe even a bit of love'n'hate?) but the end result was well worth it. As a bit of respite, is it true your next model will be one from the Airfix QuickBuild 'no glue, no paint, just build' range?! 🤣 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted May 4, 2021 Share Posted May 4, 2021 Well worth the effort, that looks amazing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Dot Posted May 4, 2021 Author Share Posted May 4, 2021 50 minutes ago, spruecutter said: Excellent result, Andy. I know this was a true labour of love (maybe even a bit of love'n'hate?) but the end result was well worth it. As a bit of respite, is it true your next model will be one from the Airfix QuickBuild 'no glue, no paint, just build' range?! 🤣 I wish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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