Finished! 1:48 Scale, Nichimo Ki-45, “Toryu”
Well, it’s finally finished...except for the aerial, which I’ll add tomorrow, because I’m tired and I’d just screw something up right now.
I used two detail sets by Lone Star Models, one for the cockpits, and the other for the wheel wells. They were not drop in replacements, and required a lot of work to make them fit...somewhat. The model itself was not too bad considering it’s age, and the Hasegawa release is leaps and bounds a better kit, but this older Nichimo offering is still a very decent kit for the money. I have another in the stash, and if I choose to build her, it’ll be out of box. The only detail sets I’m aware of are from Lone Star, and I’ll never use them again.
I used Aeromaster decals, 48-168, and the model represents a “Toryu” flown by Lt Totaro Ito, 5th Sentai, 1st Chutai, from Kiyosu Air Base, Japan during November 1944.
I’m happy this fight is over, now to build something easy, to recharge the batteries!
Thanks again for looking and have a nice night folks!
Regards,
Freddie from LI
11 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Craig Abrahamson said on April 7, 2016
Nice job on another rare (at least to me) example of an aircraft not often modeled. Nice pics, too.
Frederick J Seitz III said on April 7, 2016
Thanks Craig, I felt like I’ve been in a fist fight! LOL
Jack Mugan said on April 7, 2016
I often get excited about building a project because I have these highly detailed aftermarket products, only to find myself wishing I had built it OOB and avoided all the pain of getting them to work. Your Toryu looks mighty good to me.
Frederick J Seitz III said on April 7, 2016
This kit really did need help, so I don’t regret taking this on, but what pain in the a**. You hit that nail, squarely!
Morne Meyer said on April 7, 2016
You did an awesome job on this one. Well done!!
Frederick J Seitz III said on April 7, 2016
Thank you very much Morne!
Bernard E. Hackett, Jr. said on April 7, 2016
Freddie, old favorite of mine. When it came out, I was taken with the recessed details. Builds up nicely, and looks the part. It was also exciting to have something besides Zeros and the odd Tony.
Did you steal the rear gun from another kit?
Where did the stencils come from?
Frederick J Seitz III said on April 7, 2016
Bernard, I have to agree with you there. I really liked the model, but it seriously needed something, hence the detail sets.
I have the Hasegawa kits, but I thought, ” I never see these Nichimo kits built up…” so I had to be different…
I used Aeromaster decals, the the stencils are part of that set, 48-168c.
The rear facing weapon was stolen from another Nichimo kit, a Mitsubishi Ki-51, “Sonja”, which I ‘Screwed the Pooch’ while building. I had to modify it a little by adding the drum magazines.
Thanks for the compliments!
Bernard E. Hackett, Jr. said on April 7, 2016
Freddie, you got the Hasegawa, too? I had the same thought about the Nichimo, only to make an air-to-air Kamikaze one, with the “arrow” down the side, and the faired/empty rear cockpit.
I think Nichimo is now gone, so if you’ve got it, hang onto the Sonia. Their KI-43 -I Hayabasa is another favorite.
Frederick J Seitz III said on April 7, 2016
I have another “Sonja” in my stash, but the one I spoke of, I Screwed up so it’s an experimental kit
Greg Kittinger said on April 7, 2016
Very nice build and finish! Weathering looks nice and subtle – early-war.
I’m not a huge fan of aftermarket stuff – if I’m going to add some detail I like to just use styrene, sprue, spare parts and imagination! At least those usually fit!
Robert Royes said on April 7, 2016
Beautiful work. great detail.
Bill Koppos said on April 7, 2016
Excellent. Like the streaking effect much.
Frank Steffens said on April 7, 2016
Great work Freddie! Some aftermarket stuff can surely give you agita.
Frederick J Seitz III said on April 7, 2016
Agita…..that’s a good word for it. I liked the challenge, but it’ll be awhile before I take another run at something like that again.
Stan Traas said on April 7, 2016
Like your finish very much Fred. Not an easy feat to make a one color/mono paint job interesting, and I think you’ve done a fine job of that.
Frederick J Seitz III said on April 8, 2016
Thank you, Stan. Coming from such an accomplished builder as yourself, means quite a bit.
P.k said on April 8, 2016
Like!!
George Williams said on April 8, 2016
Looks like the “agita” was worth it, Freddie, a find build of a rarely seen kit, but, you have to be careful with some of those aftermarket goodies.
Stephen W Towle said on April 9, 2016
What I find interesting about these old Nichimo kits…. for there age they are shape wise reasonably accurate and they don’t break the bank. They also, predicted the future with the dimples long before it was fashionable. You don’t have to worry about buying a pounce wheel, Keep up the good work Freddie.