Tamiya 1/48 Aichi M6A1 Seiran

[Lynx7]

An aircraft I found interesting after watching a documentary about the Japanese I-400 series submarines.

I think it's a really pretty aircraft too (maybe not in the pic above...). Looks just 'right'. Anyway, here's my take on the aircraft. I didn't do a 'work in progress' thread as I wanted to crack on with it to have it ready for Telford. I've included a few pics along the way.

I'd forgotten how fantastic Tamiya kits are and this one went together like a dream. A really pleasurable build.

Eduard PE panel

The sanding stick was hardly used!

This is how well it went together. No filler required and only a tiny amount of zap-a-gap to seal the join

More of the Eduard PE

Eduard mask. A godsend....and a good few hours applying it!

The dolly

完成した

ME109 exhausts from Quickboost. The kit ones aren't hollowed so after a bit of research discovering that the Aichi Atsuta is actually a licensed built Daimler-Benz DB 601A, I plumped on sticking these is. Comparing to the real thing, they do the job.

My only criticism is with the Tamiya decals. On the whole pretty good but they are as thick as GS blankets and was nigh on impossible getting the Hinomarus to conform to the panel lines on the wings. Even with liberal coatings of Model Master decal solvent and solution.

Because this was a fairly quick build, I decided to use spray cans as opposed to my airbrush so painted it as follows;

Primer- Tamiya grey coat

Green- Model Master NATO Green spray

Grey- Model Master Light Gull Grey

Gloss varnish- Model Master Gloss

Matt varnish- Model Master Flat

Weathering- pastel black chalk filled down and watered down applied prior to gloss varnish, Vallejo silver dabbed and wiped applied after flat varnish coat.

Thanks for looking...now back to building Lynx

[Davidf66]

Very, very nice! Must resist temptation to get into Japanese a/c!

[Spitfire31]

A very shapely machine and you've made it proud.

Almost compells me to start taking an interest in WWII Japanese aviation!

Beautiful build.

/Joachim

[woody37]

Gorgeous build of an attractive but unusual aeroplane, never heard of one of these before

[Mike]

Lovely looking build The front has a bit of Bf.109 about it due to the exhausts, but that tail is very reminiscent of the Me.262

[Lynx7]

Lovely looking build The front has a bit of Bf.109 about it due to the exhausts, but that tail is very reminiscent of the Me.262

Thats exactly what I was thinking. Lots of design cues in the ME262 I think.

[Mike]

There's also a bit late Stuka about the canopy. Quite an attractive aircraft overall.

[Paul A H]

That looks absolutely superb!

[Col.]

Grand Job fella. Unusual to see this machine modelled and you've done it proud. Great finish with the cans.

[Abacus]

Fantastic build of a very innovative plane. Plenty of Japanese subjects very well represented to keep a body happy for a very long time.

[MakingModelsAgain]

Am loving all the Japanese planes of late and this is an absolute belter! Just missed out on grabbing this kit at a recent show and after seeing this one, I really wish I had acted sooner! Oh well, there's alway Telford....

[Lynx7]

Am loving all the Japanese planes of late and this is an absolute belter! Just missed out on grabbing this kit at a recent show and after seeing this one, I really wish I had acted sooner! Oh well, there's alway Telford....

....my girlfriend now wants one too! I think I must have the most perfect g/f in the world. She loves modelling

[stannaduk]

You're right is is a very pretty aircraft - and your model does it full justice.

[ChancerUK]

Excellent work, on the the only aircraft type to bomb the US in WW2 and the only Submersible carrier borne aircraft. Great to see such a rare type so nicely done.

[tank152]

Very, very nice! Must resist temptation to get into Japanese a/c!

I know exactly where your coming from!

Another stunning Japanese aircraft. I love it.

[Natter]

Smashing model. You'll be hogging a whole table at telford at the rate you're building. Yet another cracking build and thanks for sharing.

[Rob C]

What a stunning a/c. You've done it justice. Amazing detail and perfect finish.

[Lynx7]

Smashing model. You'll be hogging a whole table at telford at the rate you're building. Yet another cracking build and thanks for sharing.

I promise not to bring more than 4 models! (I only have 4 complete models.....)

[Ian]

Beautiful build.

Ian

[Dr.Jellyfingers]

Stunning build, really like theJapanesestuff you've built a cracker !

Si.

[AnonymousDFB1]

Nicely done

[alex]

very nice model of an interesting concept. I mean, who else built a submergible aircraft carrier?

Alex

[oldhouse]

Great modelling on this Seiran !!! very very nice paint and weathering Job !!! Peter

[Lynx7]

Thanks for all your kind comments.

Please feel free to have a closer look on the Salisbury IPMS stand at Telford at the weekend (hall 1, table 226). I've just ordered the Tamiya 1/350 I-400 submarine! Cant' say my modelling tastes aren't diverse.......

[dahut]

Imagine.... you have a submarine to sneak up with and you surface to launch an aircraft... to drop torpedoes.

Weird. yo gotta love such inventiveness.

Nice build!