Fine Molds Ka-14 in 1/72 by Sergio Teixeira

Mitsubishi Experimental N.9 Single Seat Fighter Ka-14

This hard to find model came out as a magazine kit with Model Graphix January 2014 issue. I blessed to find one at a great price in Japan, in 2024. I decided to built it as an easy, relaxing kit after a much troublesome B-25 project. The kit comes with few parts but it’s very detailed and has excellent fit. I started with the cockpit, adding some extra details: I repositioned the throttle and added to it the trigger lever for the machine guns, I added the bungee cords for the seat, the flap lever and its cable; added the trimtab wheel, lever and its chain and the cable to lower and raise the arrestor hook; I added the seatbelts from Fine Molds set NA02, I scratchbuilt the ammo box and empty cartridges chutes and added a firewall. I painted the headrest with redbrown, the cockpit with AK RC306 Mitsubishi Interior Green and the other interior areas in MRP-410 aotake blue primer. 

After assembling the fuslelage halves I turned my attention to the engine: I painted it with Tamiya TS-17 silver (diluted via airbrush – not directly from the can) and applied a black wash, then I added the spark plug wires; I drilled the exhaust pipes and the carburator air intakes and added the tubes behind. I painted the propeller front with AK481 polished aluminium and the rear in flat dark brown. 

Wheel spats interior was painted blue aotake, tyres with Mr. Hobby H77 Tyre Black and wheel hubs silver.

The navigation lights where replaced with drilled transparent sprue leftovers sanded and polished. 

Model assembly was smooth, fitting was excellent and required very little putty. I painted the whole model in ash green, obtained by mixing AK RC302 Hai iro and RC 306 Mitsubishi Interior Green. The color obtained is very similar to IJA Grey Green… I painted the tail surfaces and rear fuselage with Mr. Color 385 Red and the cowling with Vic Hobby CA049 Mitsubishi Cowling black. Before  applying the few decals I airbrushed Tamiya X-20 clear; then MRP-125 semigloss varnish. I then washed the whole model with AK paneliner black and sepia (and tamiya grey for the cowling). Finally  airbrushed little exhaust stains with MRP-180 Exhaust Soot.

I simply love the Ka-14 lines! It was very enjoyable built and I couldn’t resist adding extra detail to an already awesome model. Hats off Fine Molds!