I finished the Wingsy D3A2 Val this weekend. This model is the first 1/48 scale injection molded kit of the Val, and the wait was well worth it. The model is very high quality, thanks to friend Harvey Low for letting me know about some points to look out for. In essence, dry fitting is your friend, and know that the sides of the cockpit tub need to be sanded down quite a bit to allow a perfect fit into the fuselage.
I also used the ITA3 detail sets for the engine and cowl, as well as the underwing 60kg bombs and their pylons. The quality is exquisite, and adds quite a bit to both the end product, as well as not needing to mess with the multi-part engine and cowl assemblies as presented by Wingsy.
Also note that the kit supplied markings for the aircraft from Junyo are not correct. The tail code is for an aircraft from IJN Hiyo, the two fuselage stripes for IJN Junyo. My solution was to simply use one fuselage stripe to denote IJN Hiyo, to match the tail code.
Tamiya acrylics were used for the paint, weathered lightly with oils and AK pencils. I wanted to present a well maintained aircraft normally based on a carrier, but had been recently relocated to Buin island for Operation I-GO in 1943.
I also used Quinta 3D printed seat belts, their 3D printed rear machine gun, and Clear Prop canopy masks.
I will also be building the brand new Fine Molds Model 21 Zero in the near future, and it will be finished as a fighter based from the same carrier air wing. Stay tuned.
- Dan Salamone -
13 comments:
A wonderful build, Dan! The detail and the improvements come out perfectly and the camouflage is just superb.
I've got a very old Fujimi D3A1 in my collection which I built in 1977. The plan is to refurbish it with whatever aftermarket gimmicks are now available and approproiate for the earlier version.
Beautifully crafted model, congratulations.
However, it seems like it should have two stripes on the fuselage. Here's a link to a photo of this aircraft on another website dedicated to Japanese carrier-based aviation (if you don't mind, I couldn't find another source for this photo):
https://japanese-aviation.forumotion.com/t93-50-i-go-operation-1-16-april-1943
I think the Junyo D3A2s were coded "A-2-1-" and the Hiyo "A-2-2-," but I may be wrong. Could someone clarify this?
Excellent model, Dan! Hats off!
Thanks for sharing this here, George! One thing I had not mentioned elsewhere was how well that the open canopy parts nest together, despite being injection molded.
I'd also be really happy if they did the Kate in 1/48. I have a bunch of the Hasegawa kits unbuilt in my stash, but the kit suffers from some shape issues like the cowling, and also the very overdone fabric effect on the fabric flight surfaces.
Hi, thanks for this. My sources differed, showing IJN Hiyo as ship #1 and IJN Junyo as ship #2 in the carrier division. That said, if anyone can confirm one way or the other, I'd be grateful,
Beautiful work, Dan! The Val looks superb, and the restrained weathering really suits an aircraft recently transferred to Buin. The finish is wonderfully convincing, and the attention to detail throughout makes this a real standout. It’s great to see the long-awaited Wingsy kit brought to life so beautifully. Looking forward to seeing your Fine Molds Zero alongside it!
Thanks for the kind words, everyone! As always, it's appreciated! :)
Dan
Hello Dan. This is due to the fact that Junyo took place one in the Carrier Division and Hyio be came the second carrier in the Div after being the First.
Beautiful job my old friend! I am expecting mine from Wingsy very soon. Concerning the switch of ship's order in the Car Div, Junyo became the first ship of the Div, taking the place of Hypo who became second. This explains the mixture of markings. best regards from burning France.
Thanks for your reply, Dan. The longer I look at your model, the more I admire its professional workmanship. Bravo!
You're right; IJN Hiyo was the first carrier of the 2nd Squadron, and IJN Junyo the second. The stripes on the fuselage were painted according to this principle. The markings on the vertical stabilizer are a completely different matter. In my opinion, the photo is accurate: the D3A2 with the code 2-1-202 should have had two stripes on the fuselage. Regards.
Thanks again everyone for both the kind words, and the insights on the fuselage stripes and tail markings. It's conversations like this that bring real value to online forums like this!
I also have the new Fine Molds A6M2 kit in 1/48, and the kit offers three different markings options, two of which are an aircraft from IJN Hiyo, and one from IJN Junyo. Option #2 has a tail code of "2-2-103," and has two fuselage stripes.
Option #3 is tail code "2-1-128", and has one fuselage stripe.
It had been my understanding that the number of fuselage stripes matched the second number in the tail code sequence, and that is what I had followed when applying the markings on the D3A2. With this in mind, are the markings in the Fine Molds kit incorrect?
The markings on the fuselage and sometimes on the vertical stabilizer changed depending on the needs. Compare the markings on the B5N2 and A6M2 from late 1943 during Operation Ro (Ro-Go):
https://japanese-aviation.forumotion.com/t92-51-ro-go-operation-october-to-november-1943
I wouldn't rely on the markings of the A6M2 from the Solomon Islands, as that was a different era. Regards.
Hi Jerzy, thanks for the reply and the link, appreciate it!
Dan
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