1/72 Hasegawa G3M2/3 Nell
I built this as part of the iModeler "Empire of Japan" group build now under way. I had this in the stash since 2006 and it always looked nice in the box, so thanks for the inspiration to build it.
It was a great kit...good fit throughout and nicely engineered. A little basic inside, but in this scale, I think it's fine. The only challenge was masking the 75 individual panes on the clear parts...most of which are curved surfaces. There are masking sets out there, which I didn't realize until I was half-done. Oh well!
Mike
8 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Bill Koppos said on May 9, 2020
Don't matter as you aced the masking job. Nice build of a nice looking aircraft.
Haslam Yeoman said on May 10, 2020
Great build. Superb job on the masking. Glad it was you and not me.
Louis Gardner said on May 10, 2020
Mike, @mlicari
Thank you very much for participating in our Empire of Japan group build. Your G3M turned out marvelous. I really wish that a main stream company like Tamiya, Hasegawa, ICM, Revell, etc., would make one of these in a larger 1/48 scale.
Your masking work came out great too. I didn't envy you for that task especially with all those tiny windows ! I have a G4M "Betty" that will keep me busy with taping, and you will probably see it appear in our group, in the near future.
I guess the timing was right to bring it out and build it. Sometimes all we need is a little encouragement. There's still plenty of time left, so if you have any others, please don't hesitate.
"liked"
Mike Licari said on May 10, 2020
Thanks guys!
Spiros Pendedekas said on May 10, 2020
That's a fantastic outcome, Mike. Looks astonishing! Gotta build one, too.
All the best!
John Healy said on May 10, 2020
Excellent, Mike! I enjoyed watching this one come together.
Chuck A. Villanueva said on May 10, 2020
Very nice camo scheme. I built the LS/Arii kit a few years ago, at the time it was the only Nell I could find. Then Hase finally produced this and a couple of other variants. There was no masking set for this kit (as far as I know the LS kit still has no masking set for it) and it seemed it took forever to mask it. I didn't count the individual panels, now I know. Another well done and rarely seen Japanese medium bomber. Which could also be configured to launch a torpedo. Thanks for sharing a rare one Mike, well done.
bob mack said on May 10, 2020
splendid model
Rick Reinbott said on May 10, 2020
Sharp-looking model; love the camo!
Tom Bebout said on May 10, 2020
Nicely done Mike, great paint job on this rarely seen A/C as well. And seventy two panes of glass, that my friend is some kind of patience.
dale travis said on May 10, 2020
Very sharp Nell. Would love to have an injected mold kit of this in 1/48.
Mike Licari said on May 10, 2020
Thanks everyone! It was fun to build. I agree...it's a nice looking airplane, so I'm surprised you don't see this kit built very often (Hasegawa also released it with a torpedo).
Greg Kittinger said on May 11, 2020
Nice clean Nell - great work!
Mark Gran said on May 12, 2020
Nicely done Mike. Definitely one kit I would love to see in 1/48th injection molded.