Capt Masao Miyamaru Ki 43-II by Jean Barby

Here is my rendition of the "Hayabusa" of this famous JAAF ace, depicting his plane when the 50th Hiko-Sentai moved to Malaya after the hard battle over Burma. In my opinion the Fine Molds model in 48th is way much more accurate than the Hasegawa kit. I did some improvements like riveting the kit and replacing the cowling cooling panels with thin plastic card.

Best regards from France - Jean Barby -

 

 

Mitsubishi Ki-46 "Dinah" & Vintage Ad

A photo from the November 1943 issue of magazine "Koku Asahi" of a Type 100 Command Reconnaissance Aircraft Model 2 or Mitsubishi Ki-46-II "Dinah" taken at the front by reporter Hasegawa.

The ad in the insert says:

"A1

High quality superglue

Available everywhere in Japan from aviation related shops, modelling stores, stationary and pharmacies.

Resin white, 21gr 50sen*

Cellulose red, 14gr 30sen

Distributed by Fujiyama Shoten - Tokyo"

*Sen was the old one-hundredth subdivision of the Yen (1Yen=100Sen).

Nakajima B5N "Kate", Kure Kaigun Kokutai

Three stills from a movie on UTube (link, 06:30) of a Type 97 Carrier Attack Bomber or Nakajima B5N "Kate" belonging to the Kure Ku as indicated by the katakana "ク" (KU) on the tail. The aircraft does not seem to be NMF on the lower surfaces but it is probably painted green-top, gray-bottom. Note the fuselage hinomaru with the square surround, painted parallel to the ground, not following the a/c centre-line, and the absence of surrounds on the wing hinomaru. Probably yellow tail marking with the two digits "14" repeated on the leg covers and black cowling.
(The aircraft carrier looks like "Akagi" to me. Corrections welcome.)

Emilio & Sidnei add that the scene is from the movie "Hawai Mare oki kaisen" (here). Thank you both very much for the information.

One more still that confirms that the katakana on the tail is a "KU"; not a "TA".

The Kure Ku begun as a brunch of the Sasebo Ku on Apil 1, 1925.
On June 1, 1931 the unit became independent and received the name "Kure Kaigun Kokutai". It was basically a unit equipped with seaplanes patrolling Setonai (here) and equip with Kure based ships with aircraft. 
In 1934 an airfield was also constructed and land-based aircraft like Zero-sen and "Kates" were also based there.
On May 5, 1945 the unit was dissolved.

Tachikawa Ki-9 "Spruce" by Chas Bunch

Another amazing model by Chas Bunch with some great photos.
Tachikawa Ki-9 "Spruce", Nichimo 1:48

"Here's the photos of my "Spruce". I like those old Nichimo kits, with a little extra work they make into nice models.

On this one I did the following:

1. Hollowed out the exhaust stacks

2. Made new windscreens from clear acetate (the kit windscreens are thick and ugly!)

3. Eduard color Japanese seat belts

4. New instrument panels with Airscale decals

5. Rigged with RB Products flat stainless wire

6. Miscellaneous fuel lines, hand grips, step from wire

7. Model Master paint and kit decals."

- Chas Bunch

 

 

Thank you very much Chas for sharing with us your trully inspiring models. 

Collector's Items



Imai, Mitsubishi J2M "Raiden", 1:50

Marusan, Mitsubishi A6M5, 1:1000

Aoshima, Nakajima C6N "Saiun", 1:72

Revel, Aichi D3A "Val", 1:144

Revel, Nakajima Ki-84 "Hayate", 1:72

Tsukuda Hobby, Watanabe K11W "Shiragiku", 1:72

The "Shiragiku" kit is injection, vac &metal!

Sankyo, Nakajima G8N1 "Renzan", 1:120?

Nakajima Ki-4 by Chas Bunch

We are proud to feature on our blog the exquisite Nakajima Ki-4 or Army Type 94 Reconnaissance by Chas Bunch, from Bellingham, Washington.

Chas explained:

"Planet Models resin kit 1:48, can't remember any real problems with it, I hollowed out the exhaust stacks, added some cockpit details and made a new instrument panel with Airscale decals, rigged with flat wire from RB Products, wired the engine. Paint is Model Master enamel hand mixed until it looked about right, Alclad II Polished Aluminum on the prop, kit decals."

Enjoy the beautiful photos!

In 1938, following the beginning of the Second Sino-Japanese War, the IJAAF issued orders for it's aircraft fighting in China to remove the hinomaru on the fuselage sides because it was thought that it gave target to enemy aircraft. This particular unit flying Ki-4s in an act of defiance painted question marks instead, as if to say "our nationality is...?". When Army high brass saw them they were not particularly happy and the "question marking" was quickly removed.

Collector's Items

Jacob sent some excellent box art and images from his rare kit collection. Thank you Jacob.

Nichimo A5M

Tamiya Ki-100

Marusan J7W Shinden

More vintage and rare kits from the Japanese Ebay.
CROWN 1/144

 

LS 1/75

HASEGAWA "Coin Series" 1/106

SANWA "Midget Series"

OTAKI 1/48

MARUSAN 1/100