Kawanishi N1K1-J

[Werdna]

This is Hasegawa's old-ish 1/48 kit of one of Japan's best and most under-rated fighters of WW2 - generally accepted as the equal, or better, of the Hellcat and Corsair in the right hands.  This is my first Japanese fighter in modern times and a topic I know even less about than the Luftwaffe stuff that I usually build.  For that reason alone, it's got to be worth a WIP thread, I would have thought..  

 

Obligatory box shot to start.. 

 

 

Paint scheme is relatively straightforward dark green over natural alu.  I don't have any IJN or IJA specific colours, but I do have quite a few dark greens and metal paints, so I should be able to come up with something reasonably close to the required colours.

 

 

In terms of markings, I'll probably go with '201-53', which is a known aircraft, captured at Luzon, Phillipines.  

 

I've made a start on the cockpit and engine, built up and primed, before I work out what the interior and engine appearance should be.  Anyone knowledgeable is welcome to chip in..  

 

 

More to come soon..

 

 

[Lewis95]

This build already looks good buddy! Nice detail OOB as far as I can tell. 

[Werdna]

Cockpit now painted, using Vallejo interior green, which I don't think is too far out, as far as I can tell, followed by a dark wash.  IP painted, dry-brushed, with some detail picked out in white.   Just need to add some straps and it's ready to go in.

 

 

Engine (what there is of it) sprayed in aluminium, then given a wash with Citadel nuln oil, with the pushrod tubes and other bits picked out in a brighter shade.  Pointless spending too much time on the motor, as it will be practically invisible once fitted...

 

 

Next thing is to join the fuselage halves and fit the wings...