Tamiya 1/48th Mitsubishi J2M3 Raiden “Jack” PTO WWII
Though late in the game, going along with the Japanese aircraft theme, this is the old Tamiya kit, #61018 in their early original 48th scale series from the 70's. Despite it's age it goes together well, I built this back around 92-93 so I have had it awhile. It has survived several moves, losing the gun barrels off of the wings and the pitot tube. I also have the early Zero's and the Hayate. Only the Frank is the only that did not survive over the years. These were the days when there was not much out there on the Jack or any of the Japanese fighters and bombers. These images are the first I ever took of the Raiden, she has been sitting on the shelf collecting dust parked next to her stable mates. So these images are the first time shown on any website. When I first got back to building I didn't take any WIP or completed pics of the early build ups. When the internet started to post images of completed models. Since digital cameras were not quite as available at a reasonable cost I used my very good Canon AE-1 at the time. Today digital's are very easy to use. The kit was built strictly out of the box, kit decals were used. Aeromaster Warbird Acrylics were used, Mitsubishi Dk Green, the cowl is Blue Black a unique color that had a hint of blue so not a true black. Now I used Aotake for the interior and wheel wells and the inside of the landing gear doors. Lt Grey for the under surfaces and black for the gear struts. I first applied Testors Metallizer aluminum over the overall airframe and then applied the Green. And don't quite remembered how I got the paint to peel off at certain areas of the fuselage. I thought I overdid it, but seeing some photos of some of these Japanese fighters, it looks like it came off in sheets. So I was ok with the effect. Besides it's for me not for show. The Raiden (Thunderbolt) by Tamiya was a simple no hassle build, typical grey plastic, raised panel lines. I believe Otaki had a Raiden in this scale as well. Otherwise this was it for quite awhile. One of the images shows the canopy covered with a hazy coating. That is Blue Magic polish, the clear was so dusty I used this great stuff to bring back the shine make it clear. Don't even know if we can get it anymore, but good stuff to get the dust off your canopies and won't remove the paint from the framing. For those of us who live in So California greater LA area, there is one on display at the Chino "Planes of Fame Museum". Only 476 of the Raidens were built in it's production run, as far as I know the one in Chino is the sole survivor. Thanks for viewing,
Chuck
Fly Navy
Chuck, I like this "oldie but goodie"! Your paint looks great, even where it's peeling. 🙂
Thanks Gary, trying to give it some character
Can't go wrong with anything that says Tamiya on the box. 🙂
True for the most part but still like anything else a little effort does some wonders
Oldie but goldie, Chuck. A very nice Jack. This kit was my first 1/48 (?) japanes aircraft, i have done, in the early 1990s. And it survived like yours the test of time.
You can t go wrong with these lovely older kits, from Tamiya
Thanks Bernd, it has been the only Jack to date, built 3 different Zero, Zeke variants, but only one Raiden to date, but I do have a Val and a George in the pipeline soon to go on the workbench. Japanese fighters do offer something different.
Great looking build !
Thanks Phil
Nice !1
But to much "peeling color!
Thanks PK, but I did mention in the text that I may have been a little overzealous on the paint peeling off the airframe. But it's all good!:-)