Tackhikawa Ki-9, Type 95-1 Japanese Army, 1945 Korea, Empire of Japan. 1/48 Nichimo.
This is Nichimo’s 1/48 Ki-9 Spruce training aircraft. I tried to replicate the aircraft in photos that my father took while with the occupation forces in Korea at the end of WW 2. The aircraft had their rear cockpit covered over, probably to carry cargo or maybe a more sinister purpose. Normally these planes were an orange/yellow color, but many were painted over in a dark green, as I did with this one. This was a nice kit to build, it also included rigging wire and to boot the decals were usable.
10 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Bill Koppos said on May 15, 2020
Hmmmm sinister purpose….I saw one of these with a 55 gallon drum strapped into the back ‘pit…can’t even imagine.
Very nicely done model. Looks good in green. I had a 1/32 one years ago, wish I had it back.
John Healy said on May 15, 2020
Nice work, Robert. You really matched it to the photos.
Richard Bungay said on May 15, 2020
Beautiful!!!
Spiros Pendedekas said on May 15, 2020
Fantastic work, Robert. I followed your work from the start, and all I can say is that is splendid. I liked your motivation too.
John vd Biggelaar said on May 15, 2020
Very nicely done. Always impressive to see the constructions of these bi- (or more) planes.
Paul Barber said on May 15, 2020
Just beautiful Robert! Great to see less common subjects being built. Especially when they turn out like this!
Haslam Yeoman said on May 15, 2020
Well done. Indonesia inherited a few of these after the war as well. The one I have seen is overall dark green with the bottom half of the Hinomarus roughly over painted in white. I think your model is most realistic.
Tom Bebout said on May 15, 2020
Well done Robert! And a nice addition to the EOJ Group Build. I like it.
Reinhard Spreitzhofer said on May 15, 2020
Great end result! As my dad and I found out when he built the Ki-51, these old Nichimo kits still make nice models.
Greg Kittinger said on May 15, 2020
Very nice Robert – but you have succumbed to the 1/48 dark side!! Yikes!
Robert Royes said on May 15, 2020
Only for smaller Bi-planes and such, I’m still a 72er. @gkittinger
Pedro L. Rocha said on May 15, 2020
Very interesting and well built model. This old kit is not often seen, good thing you chose to build it. Thanks!
Robert Royes said on May 15, 2020
Thank s all, and stay well!
Louis Gardner said on May 16, 2020
This little biplane of yours looks great Robert !!! @roofrat
Thanks for participating in our Empire of Japan group build. I know this one has a special meaning to you, since your Dad took those photos, and you replicated something that he saw. He’s smiling at you right now from Mars……. and probably hanging out with my Dad talking about their time in Korea……
Robert Royes said on May 16, 2020
Thanks my friend.@lgardner