Mitsubishi J2M3 "Raiden" (Jack) by Bernhard Tomaschitz - WIP#2

In this second instalment I'd like to continue with the cockpit which is chapter 3.2 from A to F in the Zoukei Mura Raiden Manual.
Something completely new to me was the inclusion of details under the cockpit floor, equipment and controls. All the kit parts are nicely done and fit perfectly. One big error concerns the photo-etched parts and specifically the headrest. In the photo-etched part instructions the headrest is depicted on the wrong side and the modeller is supposed to grind down the positioning for the radio compartment. Unfortunately if you follow this instruction you destroy part C-53 and this will be fully visible on the finished aircraft.
Regretfully I did not have instructions about the working mechanism, the cables and other details of the seat adjustment. As you see in the photos, a pulley is on the right and left above the seat. The cables, which are now not installed run horizontally above the seat and on both sides vertically down. This is a prominent visible detail I missed.
For the seat adjustment only the plastic parts of the kit should be used, the photo etched parts are wrong, even the headrest. All other photo-etched parts though, as mentioned above, fit properly. Apart from that overall building of the cockpit is pretty straightforward. The Model Art #470 is a good guide for painting and proper installation. I used Tamiya glue as well as cyanide glue.

 

I contacted ZM and pointed out these inaccuracies to them. They were very kind to reply:

"Regarding the mistake in the manual(part C53 is shown the wrong side):
We will correct the manual and upload a PDF file on our website to download, as soon as possible.
Regarding the etching parts:
The shape will be revised, considering the defects you pointed out, as soon as we have a new production."

Nakajima Ki-43 "Hayabusa" (Oscar)

A rather classic photo from a vintage publication of an early type Nakajima Ki-43-II "Hayabusa" (Oscar) with the machine gun port fairings retouched by the censor.

In the background is a Tachikawa Ki-54 and an Army Type 100 Transport or Mitsubishi Ki-57. 

 

Aichi AB-4 by Kalle Kindel

Here is my 1/72 Aichi AB-4 from Choroszy Modelbud resin kit. The kit is good and comes together with no big trouble.

Hope you like it:)

Kalle Kindel - Estonia

 

FANTASTIC model Kalle. I wouldn't even dare a resin kit in that scale. Thank you very much.

More on the type, HERE.

Artist - Vladimir Martinicky

Mr. Vladimir Martinicky from Slovakia kindly shared with us his excellent artwork collection of Japanese aircraft. He is working with brush and temperas. Moc ďakujem.

 

Mitsubishi J2M3 "Raiden" (Jack) by Bernhard Tomaschitz - WIP#1

After completing his excellent Kyushu J7W1 "Shinden" (HERE) our good friend Bernhard Tomaschitz decided to tackle another Zoukei-Mura* masterpiece; their Mitsubishi J2M3 "Raiden" in 1/32. So, for the next two months, every Sunday we will feature a new part of his work-in-progress. 

Bernhard explained:

The accuracy and details from this kit were so amazing, that I started building it full of joy.
The reference literature I have is Mechanism of Military Aircraft #4 and Model Art #470 Profile #11 (check HERE for "Raiden" bibliography). Both books contain mainly the same photos many of which were taken after the end of the War. So most of them feature non-operative aircraft or unfinished aircraft partially built on assembly lines or destroyed examples. As a result, many photos were not particularly useful to me.

In this first report I will talk about the engine. This is Part 3 in the building manual which is easy to read and interpret. The parts are wonderfully designed and easy to handle. Compared to the photos in my two reference books the colors mentioned in the instructions are unfortunately not accurate. For example: the propeller extension shaft shown in the photo on p.66 of MA#470 is not black as Part A-4 is indicated in the instructions. And that's just one example.
The wiring for the spark plugs is not included in the kit. The photo etched parts are wrong, since the wiring is done even around the push rods. Therefore I did my wiring with lead wire. The pattern for the wiring was an interpretation based on the rather poor photo sources I had.
But all in all the assembly is pretty straightforward.
Stay tuned for the second part next Sunday.

 

 

*pronounced: "Zo" like in "Zodiac", "kei" like in "cake", "Mu" like in "moon" but shorter and "ra" like in "rabbit" 

J-Pulp Fiction

A couple years ago we had posted some most colourful and exotic covers of comic publications (here & here) that were very nostalgic to us. Today, on August 15 of all days, we would like to post some particularly piquant covers and story titles of vintage pulp publications, some with Japanese airplanes. 

 

 Note the title: "I led the greatest kamikaze raid" followed by: "The society nymph who seduced the 17th, Philippine scouts". Yellow Zero with red cowling.

 

More red-nosed yellow Zeros.

"Yank ace who battled the japs over Pearl Harbor" and "Inside a nudist colony: 35 Intimate Questions Answered".

 

In the cover below, at least the "Betty" looks like one.

Don't miss the surely exciting "The strange redhead who ran an international pleasure legion".

 

Most dramatic but improbable scene of P-38s shooting down what look like yellow "Claudes".

 

"Japs rely on secret superplanes for last-ditch stand". "Secret planes" that will be revealed on the above issue with the bomb-pitching sordid-looking "Japanese pilot" on the cover, in front of a "Hien"/P-40 aircraft.

 

Weird  Zero on the cover below, perhaps the inspiration of the Moscow museum "restorations".

 

A most amazing title: "The wing-bender from island X: They dared the Zero inferno to save a jap _ this hot-stick guy and WAC with the radar brain""

Looks like the tail marking of a yellow "Nate" belonging to the 77th Sentai, isn't it?

 

But how about this tantalising not aviation related story: "The 15 maids in Col. Mito's spy house (From the Kempetai archives, strange story of a desperate Japanese plot to save their crumbling empire)" 

 

Blue Japanese aircraft on the cover of the publication below with the Asahi Shimbun marking on the wings. Why not?

 

Silver Japanese aircraft on this cover with hinomaru AND Asahi Shimbun markings. Anything goes.

 

Important marital advice in this story: "the G.I. HUSBAND of a JAPANESE BRIDE writes: FOR REAL JOY IN MARRIAGE GIVE ME AN AMERICAN GIRL'S BRAND OF LOVE"

 

Japanese, German, British and what-have-you aircraft in this cover extravaganza.

 

The title says it all: "THE LAST YANK IN SINGAPORE AND HIS FOOTLOOSE LADIES: Holding out with five party girls, he kept Allied victory hopes alive in Southeast Asia..."

 

More red-nosed yellow Zeros but note the extraordinary story title: "THE NYMPH DECOYS OF ASIA'S COMFORT HOUSES (with opium and women, Kenji Diohara twice sold out China - fist to the Japanese then to Mao's red legion)"

 

Can somebody please explain what types of Japanese aircraft are they supposed to be featured in this "Jap Buster Johnson" story?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More yellow "Claudes" and other weird looking Japanese aircraft in "The Flying Tigers" story.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And saving best for last do not miss the incredible story about "the nympho bear-hunting women of Honshu".

 

All images via the net especially these sites: Pulp Covers, here, HERE and HERE.

Check also THIS link for a most ridiculously funny story of the "All-Star Squadron" against submerged (!!!) Zeros operating from a sub-aircraft-carrier!!!!