Japanese Aircraft Online Model Contest 010 - MIKE DRISKILL

This is the 1/72 Tamiya kit, converted to represent the second N1K1-J prototype. I was inspired by the kit's rather narrow prop blades, which looked more like the prototype than production machines to me! It was built several years ago.

Modifications to the kit include removal of lower cowl intake, reworking cowl flaps and exhausts, modifying cannon gondolas to represent unarmed fairings, and substituting an Aoshima canopy. The paint color was hand-mixed, all main markings are painted, and weathering was with watercolor washes, pastels, and colored pencils.

I have ended with another product placement. This wonderful new book shows in glorious detail all that I did wrong with this model!

 

- Mike Driskill, Knoxville, Tennessee USA -

 

 

  

 

 

 

Nipponki '46 - "Shiokaze" Sea Rescue Large Size Flying Boat

 "Shiokaze" Sea-Rescue Large Size Flying Boat

A flying boat designed to alight near merchant ships in danger to rescue the crew. From the rear door/ramp, rescue motor boats could be launched. ["Shiokaze" means "sea wind"]

 

DATA

Engine: air-cooled 4 X 2000hp

Performance

                     Max speed: 340km/h

                     Cruising speed: 290km/h

                     Range: 6800km

Crew: 16, passengers: 85

All-metal construction, rooms are soundproof and heated

 

1. cockpit

2. radio room

3. radar

4. front observation post

5. generator/dynamo and engine room

6. captain's room

7. crew rest station

8. rescue motor boats

9. door

10. passenger rest station

11. fuel tank

12. food & medicine store room

13. infirmary

14. rescue equipment store room

15. passenger rest station

 

The same design can be modified to become long distance bomber, patrol and passenger transport flying boat. Note the stabilizing sponsons.

 

Designed by: Mito Atsuji from Shimonoseki

Featured in the April 1942 issue of the magazine "Koku Shonen" (Aviation Youth) 

 

A design with a distinctly British feel to it. Very similar in concept and design to Short Seaford

Or as zegyeye pointed out, even closer to the Boing 314

The rear ramp with the motor boats is particularly intriguing. I admit I've never heard of such a feature on a flying boat although I guess it could make sense in a way.

The only "flying boat" that could come close, is the experimental Stroukoff YC-134 with the unique system that could land the transport on water. Note the three-tail feature similar to the "Shiokaze" design.

 

How about something like that?

 

Jokes aside the ramp in the back could be useful in open sea rescue operations but not so practical if it's required to unload passengers or supplies on an island or a harbour, since it would be impossible the flying boat to back up towards a dock, a pier or a beach. I think this is the reasoning behind placing the large doors in the front of the experimental Kawanishi H11K-1 "Soku" super transport flying boat.

 

 

And let's not forget the Convair R3Y Tradewind.

Nipponki '46 - EK-2 Experimental Single-Seat Destroyer

EK-2 Experimental Single-Seat Destroyer

DATA

Engine: Ryusei GV twin-row 18-cylinder radial

Max output: 3000hp with 4-step supercharger

Propeller: EK-P-1 constant speed, variable pitch, changing electrically, with full feathering and cuffs (propeller cuff : a fairing of suitable airfoil shape used to cover the shanks of propeller blades in order to reduce the aerodynamic losses - MW)

Performance

                     Max. speed: 712km/h

                     Cruising speed: 670km/h

                     Landing speed: 150km/h

Range at cruising speed: 2800km with drop tank

Ceiling: 1600 m (???)

Climbing at 1000m in 40sec

Wing area: 17sqm

Weight: 2669kg

Wing load: 157kg/sqm

Armament: 2 X 36mm cannon in the fuselage

                   4 X 20mm cannons in the wings

 

Notes:

1. The radial engine is placed in the centre of gravity for better balance. The propeller is driven by an extension shaft for better cooling (???).

2. Although difficult for mass production the wings are tapered.

3. Twin flaps

 

Designed by: Sekikawa Eijiro from Kobe 

Featured in the June 1943 issue of "Hiko Shonen" (Airplane Youth)         

At first glance it looks like a very interesting combination of the Supermarine Spitfire and the Bell P-39 Airacobra. Quite intriguing as a proposal but things get bizarre with the radial engine choice. Radial engines placed that back in the fuselage and with a completely enclosed nose create huge problems with cooling.

Similar designs would be:

1. the Republic XP-72, with common features like the supercharger, the extension shaft for the prop and very similar armament

 

2. the Blackburn Firecrest

 

and is almost identical in concept with the

3. Piaggio P.119

 

An unusual design that does not look Japanese at all and would have been much more straightforward with a liquid-cooled engine. Let's not forget the various problems "Raiden" had with the placing of the engine further back in the fuselage and the need for a fan for cooling. 

Nipponki '46 - Kawasemi Model 10 Air Defence Fighter

In the latest issue of our magazine, here, we introduced the various extraordinary aircraft designs submitted by amateur illustrators to vintage Japanese aviation magazines. While the series will continue on the magazine, we would like to show on this blog some of the more "funky" designs. We start with one from one of the most respected and prolific Japanese illustrators, the late Watanabe Rikyu, first published in the August 1943 issue of the magazine "Koku Shonen" (Aviation Youth).

 

 

Kawasemi Model 10 Air Defence Fighter

High altitude anti-bomber interceptor

 

DATA

Span: 11m

Length: 10.5m

Engine: Special liquid-cool, 3,000hp

Propeller: two 3-blade contra-rotating

Performance

                    Max. speed: 778km/h

                    Cruising speed: 590km/h

                    Landing speed: 150km/h

Armament: 40mm cannon X 1

                    30mm cannon X2

                    15mm MG X 3 

Although at first glance the design may look as too "manga" and childish, you will notice a striking resemblance to the:

1. Dornier P.247/6 high performance fighter, here 

2. Focke-Wulf high performance fighter with Jumo 222E/F

(image from here)

3. Focke-Wulf high performance fighter with Argus As 413 as described and shown on p.38 of "Luftwaffe Secret Projects - Fighters 1939-1945" by Walter Schick & Ingolf Meyer.

 

4. Dornier P 247/1.

Illustration by Peter Allen, from HERE.

All 1944-1945 designs that never left the drawing board.

HOT STUFF!!! #16

We offer on our blog rare and difficult to find kits and books at very interesting prices. Quantities are extremely low, usually only one kit or book is available and quality, although not new, is very good. The "HOT STUFF!!!" series will be updated frequently.

If you are interested send us an email at: arawasiorder@arawasi.jp indicating the item of your choice and your country of origin. We will get back to you ASAP with postage and payment details. For more info, HERE.

 

Don't miss this chance!

 

Today we offer various volumes of the "DESIGN WITH PRECISION SERIES" by Matsuba Minoru. All volumes are long out-of-print and highly sought after. Each volume contains very detailed multi-view illustrations in 1/48 with exact measurements and often cutaway sections and other details of each aircraft type.
All volumes are in very good condition.

Vol. #1 "WWII Fighters", includes illustrations for:
Nakajima Ki-43-I Ko "Hayabusa" (Oscar), Nakajima Ki-44-II Ko "Shoki" (Tojo), Kawasaki Ki-61-I Otsu "Hien" (Tony), Nakajima Ki-84 Ko "Hayate" (Frank), Mitsubishi A6M5 "Zero", Mitsubishi J2M3 "Raiden" (Jack), Kawanishi N1K1-J "Shiden" 11-Ko (George), Kawanishi N1K2-J "Shiden-kai" (George), Curtiss P-40E Warhawk, Republic P-47D-10 Thunderbolt, North American P-51D Mustang, Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat, Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat, Chance Vought F4U-4 Corsair, Supermarine Spitfire Mk.5B, Hawker Hurricane 2C, Polikarpov I-16 Type 10, Messerschmitt Bf109E-4, Focke-Wulf Fw190A-8
Price: $US40 (postage not included)

 Vol. #2 "WWII Fighters", includes illustrations for:
Kawasaki Ki-10 "Perry", Nakajima Ki-27 Otsu "Nate", Kawasaki Ki-45 Kai "Toryu" (Nick), Kawasaki Ki-61-II Kai "Hien" (Tony), Kawasaki Ki-100 "Tony", Mitsubishi A5M2b-IIKai "Claude", Nakajima Special Attacker "Kikka", Nakajima J1N2 "Gekko" (Irving), Kyushu J7W1 "Shinden", Mitsubishi J8M1 "Shusui", Lockheed P-38L-5 Lightning, Bell P-39Q-1-BE Aircobra, North American P-51H Mustang, Hawker Typhoon Mk.1B, De Havilland Mosquito NF Mk.2, Westland Whirlwind, Messerschmitt Me410-1 Hornisse, Macchi MC202AS/CB Folgore, Yakovlev Yak-1M
Price: $US55 (postage not included)

Vol. #3 "WWII Attack Bombers & Reconnaissance Planes", includes illustrations for:
Nakajima B5N2 Model 12 "Kate", Nakajima B6N2 "Tenzan" (Jill), Aichi D3A1 "Val", Yokosuka D4Y2 "Suisei" (Judy), Mitsubishi Ki-15-I "Babs", Tachikawa Ki-36 "Ida", Mitsubishi Ki-46-III "Dinah", Mitsubishi Ki-51 "Sonia", Nakajima C6N1 "Saiun" (Myrt), Aichi E16A1 "Zuiun" (Paul), Mitsubishi F1M2 "Pete", Aichi M6A1 "Seiran", Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless, Grumman TBF-TBM-1C Avenger, Curtiss SB2C-4 Helldiver, Westland Lysander Mk.3, Henschel Hs129B, Messerschmitt Me262A-1a, Ilyushin Il-10 Stormovik
Price: $US55 (postage not included)

Vol. #4 "Army & Navy Experimental Aircraft", includes illustrations for:
Kawasaki Ki-5, Kawasaki Ki-28, Kawasaki Ki-45, Kawasaki Ki-60, Kawasaki Ki-64, Tachikawa Ki-70, Kawasaki Ki-78 Ken-3, Mitsubishi Ki-83, Nakajima Ki-87, Kawasaki Ki-88, Manpi Ki-98, Mitsubishi J4M1 "Senden", Nakajima J5N1 "Tenrai", Kawanishi J6K1 "Jinpu", Mitsubishi A7M2 "Reppu" (Sam), Yokosuka R2Y1 "Keiun", Kawanishi E15K1 "Shiun" (Norm), Aichi S1A1 "Denko"
Price: $US55 (postage not included)
GONE!

Vol. #10 "Japanese Army Fighters", includes illustrations for:
Nakajima Type 91 Fighter, Kawasaki Type 92 Fighter, Kawasaki Ki-10 "Perry", Nakajima Ki-27 Otsu "Nate", Kawasaki Ki-28, Nakajima Ki-43-I "Hayabusa" (Oscar), Nakajima Ki-43-II "Hayabusa" (Oscar), Nakajima Ki-43-III "Hayabusa" (Oscar), Nakajima Ki-44-II Ko "Shoki" (Tojo), Kawasaki Ki-45 Kai "Toryu" (Nick), Mitsubishi Ki-46-III Otsu "Dinah", Kawasaki Ki-60, Kawasaki Ki-61-I Otsu "Hien" (Tony), Kawasaki Ki-61-II Kai "Hien" (Tony), Mitsubishi Ki-83, Nakajima Ki-84 Ko "Hayate" (Frank), Nakajima Ki-87, Tachikawa Ki-94 II, Kawasaki Ki-96, Kawasaki Ki-100 Model I "Tony", Kawasaki Ki-102 Ko, Kawasaki Ki-108
Price: $US55 (postage not included)
GONE!

Japanese Aircraft Online Model Contest 010 - MICHAEL THUROW

My contest entry, an N1K1-J Ko, is based on the Otaki 1/48 kit. I initially built this model in 1988 but was never satisfied with my work. Upgrading vintage kits has become an obsession and, since all more recent products have less accurate nose contours and engine air intakes, I decided to stay with my model and completely rebuilt it last year with after-market and scratch-built items. Please have a look at the WIP report here which also explains my colour choices:

 http://www.aviationofjapan.com/2018/03/otaki-148-kawanishi-n1k1-j-ko-shiden-by.html

 

 

 

201-53 was production number 5511 manufactured in October 1944 at Kawanishi's Naruo plant and delivered to the 201st Kokutai in the Philippines. 201 Ku was a Zero unit – one of the first employed for suicide attacks. The Shiden may have been used as tokko escort or fast recce. The unit's personnel suffered complete annihilation in ground fighting after all aircraft had been lost or disabled. 201-53 was found by American troops at Clark Field at the end of 1944. So the life time of this Shiden, before being vandalised by 'sight-seers', was rather short.

Michael Thurow - Germany

  

  

Japanese Aircraft Online Model Contest 010 - WILLIAM ADAIR

This is the 1/144 scale Kawanishi N1K1-Ja Shiden, a modified gashapon trading kit made by the Japanese company F-Toys.

Modifications include new cockpit and canopy, individual prop hub and propeller blades, and new gun barrels with modified undercarriage. The airframe was primed and rubbed back several times to reduce the overscale panel lines, and the aircraft was painted with Mr Colour lacquers. Decals for the 343 AG machine are modified from an MYK set, splicing 8's and 9's together to make the 343-16 codes. Watercolour paints provided the shading, while scuffs and chipping is achieved with a .5mm Pergamino pearl grey pencil lead.

- William Adair, Australia -

 

 

  

 

 As you expressed an interest in seeing some more photos I've added some extra views, along with some others that I took during the construction phase.

Some of these show the new seat and modifications to the cockpit and canopy.  This was moulded in acrylic and the flared edge was made by building the up the sliding portion of the hood with superglue and sanding/carving it back to shape.  The propeller blades were detached and reset with the prominent hubs being represented with sleeves of aluminium tube.  The gun barrels are replaced with brass, and the ends flared out  and reduced in thickness with the tip of a scalpel.  I couldn't resist a bit of Arawasi product-placement for the last shot... 😊