1/48 Civil Ki-15 Babs – Empire of Japan Group Build.
This is the new Fine Molds kit. Fine Molds has marketed three different versions of this model and mine is the third one finished here on imodeler in the last couple of months. We now have an example of each kit posted.
No complaints about this one. It was pleasant from start to finish. The interior is highly detailed but you can’t see 90% of it. I finished the interior with Humbrol enamels, and the exterior with Mr. Color and Tamiya lacquers. I sandwiched the decals between coats of Future and finished up with a coat of Testors gloss/dull cote mixed 4:1 then thinned 1:1 with lacquer thinner.
The aircraft was the prototype Ki-15 which was purchased by the Asahi Shimbun newspaper in Tokyo. They used the aircraft to set a 94 hr. speed record between Tokyo-London in April of 1937. It was timed to coincide with the coronation of King George VI. Interestingly today, 14 May, is the 83rd anniversary of the start of their return trip to Japan. If you’re interested, I did a build log on the Japanese group build page.
10 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Tom Cleaver said on May 14, 2020
Nice work as usual John. I’ve always thought this airplane looked cool and you’ve demonstrated I was right.
John Healy said on May 14, 2020
Thanks Tom. I’ve always liked this scheme too. Back in the ‘70s, I built one of these in 1/72. I think it was a Mania or Nitto kit. I remember it was a top notch kit with recessed panel lines. I think it may be marketed by Hasegawa now. Stay well!
Pedro L. Rocha said on May 14, 2020
Those rising sun painted in the bottom extremities of wings really caught my attention, though the sheer quality of the paint work would be sufficient for that purpose. Great build and like Tom said, it’s a very cool plane indeed
John Healy said on May 14, 2020
Thanks, Pedro!
Erik Gjørup said on May 14, 2020
Divine! Thank you for sharing the build in Groups, it’s been a real joy to follow the progress.
John Healy said on May 14, 2020
Thanks, Erik!
Michel Verschuere said on May 14, 2020
Sleek plane, looks like racer, good job!
John Healy said on May 14, 2020
Thank you, Michael. It was a speedster!
Robert Royes said on May 14, 2020
Beautiful build, beautiful scheme!
John Healy said on May 14, 2020
Thanks, Robert!
Spiros Pendedekas said on May 14, 2020
I loved your work from start to finish, John. Excellent!
All the best!
John Healy said on May 14, 2020
Thanks for the encouragement, Spiros!
dale travis said on May 14, 2020
Love it John. I was going to do this one too as I already did the military version. Glancing at the 175 + kits in my model storage closet, i figured one Babs is enough.
John Healy said on May 14, 2020
Thanks, Dale! One is enough for me too. Stash is a losing battle, but my rate of growth has slowed a lot. 😂
Terry Schuler said on May 15, 2020
John, What a nice model. I really like the classic 30’s look and attractive paint scheme. Well done !
John Healy said on May 15, 2020
Thanks, Terry! It’s a great scheme.
Paul Barber said on May 15, 2020
That’s quite a unique looking aircraft John, congratulations – a fantastic clean finish!
John Healy said on May 15, 2020
Thanks, Paul. It’s an attractive subject.
Tom Bebout said on May 15, 2020
That’s a great looking Babs John! She’s so typical of 30’s aircraft development, sleek lines that emote speed. I like it.
John Healy said on May 15, 2020
Thank you, Tom!
Greg Kittinger said on May 15, 2020
Wow – very nice in those unusual markings. Well done!
John Healy said on May 15, 2020
Thanks, Greg!