Nakajima Ki-43-I

[Antoine]

My first of 2009.

See the step by step

Constructive comments and critics more than welcome.

I've just seen that I forgot to paint the black walk-on area on the left wing by the pit...

:shithappens:

[CPNGROATS]

A. I esp. like your paint chipping and the subtle dirt/grime weathering...Part of the "character" of WWII japanese a/c is the paint peeling tired look they had..I've attached a pic. of a vintage Revell 1/72 Ki-43 build with the tired look...

Cheers,

ggc

Edited February 22, 2009 by CPNGROATS

[Antoine]

Well, this topic looks like a hit!

[Antoine]

Or maybe in the wrong room?

[Guest snipersmudge]

looks very nice, love the chipping very effective, may I suggest you post the finished pictures in the aircraft ready for inspection thread. I think most people look there for finished builds

Pete

[Antoine]

You're maybe right.

I know that there was a discussion about that before, but I don't know the result.

Maybe I should ask the moderation team to move the topic, I think that there's no need for a double.

[ancient mariner]

Its an Oscar...say no more. A well built and painted Oscar does it for me everytime. Nice one.

[Antoine]

Thanks!

Check the defaults, though (there are many of them!)

Comments and critics more than welcome.

[Tizzy]

Nice Oscar.

[LotusArenco]

Nice.

I’ve just started on the slippery slope of Japanese subjects myself.

Especially like your way of replicating the ‘aotake’.

Mart

[Nick Millman]

A lovely model and a refreshing choice of markings.

The only criticism - and it is a very small and pedantic one - is this. The topmost fairing on the undercarriage leg was not a right angled flap and not as thick as the kit part. It was a very thin piece of metal hinged to the top of the middle fairing. As the undercarriage leg compressed the top fairing depressed outwards against the lower surface of the wing, the edge maintaining contact with it. When the weight was lifted and the undercarriage extended this fairing folded back into a more upright position ready to close against the undercarriage well as the leg retracted.

On the ground, bearing weight, the fairing should be connected from the top of the middle fairing to the lower surface of the wing with no gap. The bottom fairing on the Ki-43-I did not slide up over the middle fairing but hinged outwards as the oleo compressed (the fairing slides up on the Ki-43-II). On the Ki-43-I the top of the bottom fairing was hinged to the bottom of the middle fairing. These photographs of s/n 750 show it. That in no way detracts from a beautiful model btw. On Hayabusa models I replace the kit fairings with thin plastic card.

Edited February 26, 2009 by Nick Millman

[timbo33]

Now that's a plane that's seen some action. It's a tricky technicque emulating the flaking/wear of paint, especially on Japanese aircraft where a lot of the paint fell off!!!

[Antoine]

Thanks a lot everyone.

A lovely model and a refreshing choice of markings.

The only criticism - and it is a very small and pedantic one - is this. The topmost fairing on the undercarriage leg was not a right angled flap and not as thick as the kit part. It was a very thin piece of metal hinged to the top of the middle fairing.

You're absolutely right, I didn't know that.

I have to admit that I've focused much more on the paint, than in the general accuracy of the model.

The only error that I've noticed by myself is the presence of the landing light, which is not correct for a I (Only for late II and the III serie)

I've also heard of a false representation of some constructions lines between the wing and the fuselage, but I didn't pay attention to that.

I'll try to remember that next time I build one, as it's a very interesting aircraft.

By the way, where does the aircraft shown on your pics comes from?

Edited February 26, 2009 by Antoine

[Nick Millman]

Antoine, it was nitpicking on my part and in no way detracts from a very fine build.

The aircraft in the photographs #750 was an 11th Sentai machine found hidden four miles from Vunakanau Airfield, Rabaul by Sqn Ldr Denys Hamilton and party in September 1945. The aircraft was in the hands of an Army repair unit. It was subsequently crated up and sent to Australia in December 1945. It was in the possesion of the Australian War Memorial Museum until 1953 when it was sold to R G Curtis. From 1962 until 1980 it was owned by Sid Marshall. In 1985 it was sold to Col Pay at Bankstown Airport NSW. Eventually in 1993 it was purchased by the Alpine Fighter Collection in NZ and completely restored to its original colour scheme and markings.

This aircraft is now in the possession of the Flying Heritage Collection at Paine Field, Washington, USA:-

http://www.flyingheritage.com

[turnerdad]

Nicely done.

[Antoine]

Thanks for the linky, Nick.

[Maxidad]

I like it! I have never risked a Japanese subject yet (well, not since I was a kid anyway).

A question here: is there a reason why only the green is worn and flaked, and not the hinomarus or undersurfaces?

[Antoine]

Certainly the paint used.

And somebody elsewhere also told me that the markings were often repainted, not the camo.

You can see it on the first pic.

[AnonymousDFB1]

Very nice Antoine, only just found you build. Lovely job very realistic

[Antoine]

Thanks a lot, Mish.