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Aichi D3A Val Airfix 1/72.


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Hello,

Here is a construction that I did for a group build about Midway.
 

I have done the minimum to furnish this empty model which was designed in 1963:

aichi_16.jpg

 

aichi_26.jpg

 

I used a dry point to engrave the structural panels of the model, and sanded the surfaces studded with oversized rivets.

aichi_27.jpg

 

I interpreted the Aichi green with Gunze H302, and took the interior of the panels (wings and fuselage) with the colour added with yellow.

aichi_28.jpg

Not obvious in the photos, but the effect is there.

 

All markings are done with paint and covers, only the drift codes are painted decals.

aichi_29.jpg

 

Here is the Airfix crude engine:

aichi_30.jpg

I took the profile of the engine cover, as it looked very similar to that of an A6M2;

 

The type 92 machine gun is made from scratch:

aichi_31.jpg

 

I redid the fork of the bomb thrower:

aichi_24.jpg

It is better this way, although the lower radiator should have been open in the middle.

I added the gonio frame to the underside, too.


On June 4, 1942, around noon, eighteen Val of the Koku Sentai of the IJN Hiryu attacked the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown.
Will this Kanbaku escape the flak of the Yorktown and its battle group?

aichi_32.jpg

 

😋

 

Regards,

Eric-Snafu35

 

 

 

Edited by Snafu35
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1 hour ago, Snafu35 said:

 

Hello,

Here is a construction that I did for a group build about Midway.
 

I have done the minimum to furnish this empty model which was designed in 1963:

aichi_16.jpg

 

aichi_26.jpg

 

I used a dry point to engrave the structural panels of the model, and sanded the surfaces studded with oversized rivets.

aichi_27.jpg

 

I interpreted the Aichi green with Gunze H302, and took the interior of the panels (wings and fuselage) with the colour added with yellow.

aichi_28.jpg

Not obvious in the photos, but the effect is there.

 

All markings are done with paint and covers, only the drift codes are painted decals.

aichi_29.jpg

 

Here is the Airfix crude engine:

aichi_30.jpg

I took the profile of the engine cover, as it looked very similar to that of an A6M2;

 

The type 92 machine gun is made from scratch:

aichi_31.jpg

 

I redid the fork of the bomb thrower:

aichi_24.jpg

It is better this way, although the lower radiator should have been open in the middle.

I added the gonio frame to the underside, too.


On June 4, 1942, around noon, eighteen Val of the Koku Sentai of the IJN Hiryu attacked the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown.
Will this Kanko escape the flak of the Yorktown and its battle group?

aichi_32.jpg

 

😋

 

Regards,

Eric-Snafu35

 

 

 

Well done with an old kit.

 

Alain

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Amazing work Snafu,

 

It just goes to show hpw a little effort and some modelling skills can equal a great result, and it is also presented with period authentic special effects!

 

cheers,

 

Pappy

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Hello everyone,

 

Thank you for your messages.


When I was younger, I used to dream when I saw the Airfix, Hasegawa, Heller and other brands of models that were shown in the first specialized magazines. Today, after sacrificing time and kits I can do almost  what talented builders were already doing. And these "old" models allow me to make reproductions similar to the real planes.
Well, okay; I am not saying that sometimes certain shapes are better rendered by the new moulds.
But what, I am not going to throw away models I bought thirty years ago because they are approximate; It is my youth, all that! :clif:🤣

 

7 minutes ago, Pappy said:

Amazing work Snafu,

It just goes to show hpw a little effort and some modelling skills can equal a great result, and it is also presented with period authentic special effects!

cheers,

Pappy

 

Thanks, Pappy! 

I did not take this picture at the time, and it did not even hurt to play with Paint!  :rolleyes:

 

Regards,

Eric-Snafu35

 

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A wonderful result! I always liked the old Airfix Japanese aircraft when I was a youngster, and they still have a place, as can be seen from your work.

 

Ray

Edited by Ray S
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Hello nostalgic modeler friends!  😉

 

10 hours ago, IanC said:

That's an incredible build of the old kit. And I love the crew figures - repositioning their heads makes all the difference. 

How good it is to do what we like!
We all have Airfix pilot figures in a box.
A desire, a good knife, and hop!:

aichi_15.jpg

 

stay tuned for my next Japanese plane in 1/72, with pilot figures!

aichi_21.jpg

 

Regards,

Eric-Snafu35

 

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Hello,

 

Oups, I forgot to put in the pilot's sight! :S
It is a characteristic of the Val.

 

I made it:

aichi_34.jpg

eight pieces to make this thing. You have to like it.:mental:

 

I set it up:

aichi_33.jpg

 

It's done-finished.

 

Regards,

Eric-Snafu35

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