Captured Kawanishi N1K1-Ja Shiden, Tamiya 1/48

[Brad]

I've been wanting to build this model for around 20 years, but I was never good enough with painting natural metal to attempt it. However skills improve and new products hit the market. I recently picked up some SMS Super Silver and wanted to give it a try. The kit itself from Tamiya is very nice, but it does lack a little detail and I had a small etch set to improve on the cockpit, undercarriage doors and other small items.

 

SMS Jet Black was used as a base for the Super Silver and I'm pretty impressed with it's look and durability. I've handled this a fair bit and it has not caused any damage to the surface. The tail decals, excluding the fin flash which was masked and painted, came from Dying Sun II decals from Rising Decals, the US insignia was from the spares box.

 

This particular aircraft was captured at Clark Field in the Philippines. Repaired to airworthy, she suffered a landing gear collapse and was grounded, with the intent to take her back to the US shelved, it's probable that 'S9' was scrapped onsite sometime after the end of the war.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Armorrich]

Nice to see something out of the ordinary. Beautiful silver finish. Looks just great!!!

[georgeusa]

That is a shiny Japanese aircraft.  When you first look at it in U.S. markings, you wonder if it is some sort of P-47 one off variant and/or prototype.  Thanks for sharing.

[Vince1159]

Great build,lovely finish....