LetLetLet ~ Warplanes

Let Let Let - Warplanes => Aircraft Modeling => Topic started by: Second Air Force on April 10, 2014, 04:08:44 PM

Title: Nichimo Kawasaki Ki-45
Post by: Second Air Force on April 10, 2014, 04:08:44 PM
Time to start something new (but very old). Several years ago I bought a large quantity of old kits at an antique store and this Nichimo Ki-45 was among them:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/Ki-45Start003_zpsd110ec82.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/Ki-45Start003_zpsd110ec82.jpg.html)

As you can see, the box is in pretty rough shape and there was even some water damage from wherever it was stored. Inside is a partially-started airplane that the first owner had started on so many years ago. He/she had built the wings, engines and nacelles:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/Ki-45Start002_zps2962c456.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/Ki-45Start002_zps2962c456.jpg.html)
 They also laid out where to put frames and stringers in the fuselage and then got this far before putting the kit away for future finishing:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/Ki-45Start001_zpsc3ac82c4.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/Ki-45Start001_zpsc3ac82c4.jpg.html)

So, my task is to finish what was first started by the original owner. They gave me a good starting point!
Title: Re: Nichimo Kawasaki Ki-45
Post by: No.1 on April 10, 2014, 04:18:35 PM
What scale is this, 1/48? Look very simple.
Title: Re: Nichimo Kawasaki Ki-45
Post by: Second Air Force on April 10, 2014, 05:10:04 PM
Yes, 1/48. The cockpit is not very detailed but the exterior is really quite lovely--recessed panel lines and delicate riveting.
Title: Re: Nichimo Kawasaki Ki-45
Post by: Jicehem on April 10, 2014, 05:42:23 PM
Hello ! :-salut

I built this kit in April... 1979 !
For the time that was a very good kit (Still good, I think).
(http://i55.servimg.com/u/f55/10/07/63/16/kawasa11.jpg)

Jicehem :-wave
Title: Re: Nichimo Kawasaki Ki-45
Post by: No.1 on April 10, 2014, 06:00:05 PM
If it is good dimension and shape, it is good kit, all the rest could be upgraded ;)
Title: Re: Nichimo Kawasaki Ki-45
Post by: Jicehem on April 10, 2014, 06:24:28 PM
If it is good dimension and shape, it is good kit, all the rest could be upgraded ;)

Main details are present :
(http://i55.servimg.com/u/f55/10/07/63/16/img_0207.jpg)

(http://i55.servimg.com/u/f55/10/07/63/16/img_0208.jpg)

(http://i55.servimg.com/u/f55/10/07/63/16/img_0209.jpg)

(http://i55.servimg.com/u/f55/10/07/63/16/img_0210.jpg)
Title: Re: Nichimo Kawasaki Ki-45
Post by: Second Air Force on April 10, 2014, 06:37:47 PM
Great one!

I'm looking at much the same scheme on mine as I wanted to have the upward-firing guns....
Title: Re: Nichimo Kawasaki Ki-45
Post by: Second Air Force on April 13, 2014, 11:08:12 PM
The first owner had enhanced the cockpit area quite nicely and I only added a few extra items of detail. This will be built with canopies closed so full detailing would be hard to see at any rate. Then the interior was sprayed and panels detail-painted:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/Ki-45Interior002_zpsca400e47.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/Ki-45Interior002_zpsca400e47.jpg.html)

Afterward I glued the fuselage halves together. While this was drying I test-fitted the canopy parts. The wings, horizontal stabilizers and cowling parts had already been assembled by the original builder and only needed very small corrections on a couple of seams:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/Ki-45Interior003_zpsd7ea1477.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/Ki-45Interior003_zpsd7ea1477.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Nichimo Kawasaki Ki-45
Post by: No.1 on April 13, 2014, 11:35:42 PM
We have same style of sponsors :)) Paint bottles ;)
Title: Re: Nichimo Kawasaki Ki-45
Post by: Second Air Force on April 13, 2014, 11:50:29 PM
Ha ha!!! I use them a LOT for this..... even better than paint bottles I especially like the foam blocks that come in the Eduard Brassin sets for supporting parts. I have several on the painting table that are used quite a bit.
Title: Re: Nichimo Kawasaki Ki-45
Post by: modellius on April 14, 2014, 07:31:39 PM
good start !
Title: Re: Nichimo Kawasaki Ki-45
Post by: Second Air Force on April 26, 2014, 12:07:37 AM
My modeling has been slowed considerably lately, both with gardening duties and a dreary head-cold that I'm still recovering from. Here are a few photos that were taken before I fell ill.......
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/Ki-45Completed001_zps38c961db.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/Ki-45Completed001_zps38c961db.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/Ki-45Completed004_zpsd3844b2a.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/Ki-45Completed004_zpsd3844b2a.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/Ki-45Completed002_zps59bf913a.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/Ki-45Completed002_zps59bf913a.jpg.html)

I gave up on the ancient kit decals and simply decided to paint the roundels.
Title: Re: Nichimo Kawasaki Ki-45
Post by: No.1 on April 26, 2014, 05:32:39 AM
:-ok
Title: Re: Nichimo Kawasaki Ki-45
Post by: Second Air Force on April 26, 2014, 05:14:43 PM
The cold has not won, I'm feeling somewhat better!

After trying out some of the original decals from this 1970s kit I decided not to try to use most of them. So, I spent some time with the printer making masks for the stylish tail emblem of the 53rd Sentai. Then both colors were sprayed on and the diagonal stripes on the fuselage also were masked and sprayed. The only decals from the kit sheet I used were the five and nine on the lower tail and some small service markings. I may do more markings in this way, but I need to get some much wider Tamiya tape for the purpose. Anyway, here is the finished Toryu, ready for fighting against the B-29 fleets:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/Ki-45Completed005_zps000604bf.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/Ki-45Completed005_zps000604bf.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/Ki-45Completed016_zpscd5eec21.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/Ki-45Completed016_zpscd5eec21.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/Ki-45Completed012_zps4070d1bf.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/Ki-45Completed012_zps4070d1bf.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/Ki-45Completed008_zpsce0300c4.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/Ki-45Completed008_zpsce0300c4.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/Ki-45Completed007_zps9d7861f6.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/Ki-45Completed007_zps9d7861f6.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/Ki-45Completed006_zps51cb338a.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/Ki-45Completed006_zps51cb338a.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Nichimo Kawasaki Ki-45
Post by: No.1 on April 26, 2014, 05:16:15 PM
Excellent result mate :-ok This old kit look so descent :-clap
Title: Re: Nichimo Kawasaki Ki-45
Post by: Second Air Force on April 26, 2014, 05:17:56 PM
I think it could be a real contest-winner with some extra work. The wheelwells and main gear are very basic but the surface detail is really nice. I suspect I will build another of these with the mottled camouflage! Then, too, a Hasegawa with the other armament style is also on the list........
Title: Re: Nichimo Kawasaki Ki-45
Post by: draken35 on April 26, 2014, 07:38:19 PM
Splendid!!! :-ok
Title: Re: Nichimo Kawasaki Ki-45
Post by: Second Air Force on April 27, 2014, 10:46:45 PM
Thanks, Daniel!

This one was actually started by an unknown modeler and I dedicate its completion to whoever it was that first started it. He/she did a good job on the cockpit structure scratchbuilding and subassembly work and it was simply up to me to complete the job. I only hope that it turned out as the original owner had planned....

But now I am working on a different Kawasaki--two-cylinder instead of two-engine, the powerplant in my tractor........ :-eek I was getting ready to do some lawn mowing Saturday when the tractor stopped running. It turns out that the camshaft gear has broken, so the engine had to be removed for the repair process. Now I wait for the parts to arrive......
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/425Engine005_zpsf44db779.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/425Engine005_zpsf44db779.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/425Engine006_zpsff9c4f06.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/425Engine006_zpsff9c4f06.jpg.html)