EofJ GB 1/72 Fujimi Aichi B7A2 Ryusei Kai (Grace)
This is the Fujimi Kit C-34 Aichi B7A2 Grace, built as part of the Empire of Japan GB.
Straight OOB build using kit decals and Tamiya acrylics for the outer surfaces with a home mixes ‘satin' clear coat.
Within the last couple of months, I only just realized that the ‘A' in B7A2 indicates ‘Aichi' – Just as the ‘M' in A5M2 indicates ‘Mitsubishi'. Who knew? – Apparently everyone.
I can't remember the first time I read about the Grace but I do remember liking its inverted gull wings which reminded me of the Corsair and throughout this build the B7A kept reminding me of the F4U.
Almost every part had some flash on it – some parts were pretty obvious and other part just had the slightest amount only noticed when test fitting. Not too much in detail for the cockpit – basic seats, stick and instrument panel and a rear machine gun. Raised delicate panel line details made me keep filler and sanding to a minimum but the worst fit was the bomb bay doors but everything else fit quite well.
Need to comment that the Tamiya J.N. Green XF-11 looks totally different with a light blue background compare to a blank white background. The green is almost too dark against the stark white.
Got to know my Neo internal mix airbrush a little more and the more I use it the more I wonder why I stayed away from it so long.
Thanks for tuning in.
Just added the last two photos - an attractive 'model' sitting by the pool on a sunny day!
Nicely done, George! An older kit but still quite buildable, and a very interesting aircraft. Fortunately the Japanese had neither the Ryusei in any great numbers nor the carriers from which to operate them.
Thanks Jeff, it was a nice kit to build.
Right about the numbers - my research found that just over 100 total units produced due to initial production issues and then a major earthquake in May '45.
Aichi design team really produced some sleek, beautiful designs. That’s a nice clean model George!
Thanks so much Pedro.
Looks great - I built this same kit in orange trainer colors as something different. I may have to secure another to put in operational scheme like yours. A great-looking build.
Thanks Greg, I saw your build earlier. Nice 'in-flight' presentation.
These Fujimi's are getting hard to find bur well worth the search.
Well done, George.
This is a nice Grace.
Regarding the letters (A - Aichi, M - Mitsubishi) in the marking, this is also new to me.
Could it be that the B in B7A2 stand for bomber, and in A5M2 the A stands for assault?
Close but no cigar :
'A' = Carrier Fighter
'J' = Land Base Fighter
While:
'B' = Carrier Attack Bomber
'D' = Carrier Dive Bomber
Then:
'E' = Reconn Seaplane
'G' = Land Based Attack Bomber
I still haven't figured any rhyme or reason to the letter system yet.
But knowing some of the system really helps remembering the designation numbers.
Manufacturers are not 100% either as 'Z' = Mizuno
Thanks for sharing George.
This is a wonderful littlle model of a most aesthetically pleasing plane, George!
A joy to having followed your bulid thread, too!
Thanks Spiros @fiveten. Thanks for the comments during the build and foloowing.
I must admit that the possibility of having your QC Auditors nearby kept me on my toes, in a good way.
Cheers.
They can be hard, trust me...@georgeswork
They can be bribed with ice cream though!
Indeed they were watching your Grace and liked it.
Thanks again for having us along!
A real beauty! Nice outside shots.
Thanks Rob, just following suit with your recent outside P-40 photos.
Nice build! Those Fujimi kits are basic, but build up nicely!
Hello George, @georgeswork
Thank you for participating in our Empire of Japan group build. The "Grace" is a very good looking airplane in my opinion, and it does remind me of the F4U Corsair a little bit with the inverted gull wing angles. You did a fine job with yours, and I enjoyed following along with the build journal. The photos you posted here also look great... Isn't it amazing how the different color backgrounds can have such a dramatic effect on the final appearance of the color ? By simply swapping from a gray background to a light blue, or a white background, it can change the appearance considerably.
Well done my friend, and I pressed the "liked" button too.
🙂 … Greetings … 🙂 :
A very nice job on this one George, very pleasing to watch and more so … considering the scale.
Stunning George, although I can see Louis' Corsair, I am also seeing Stuka. What a fantastic build, research and subject. Absolutely incredulous that it is 1/72. Brilliant!
Nicely done George, your Grace somehow reminds me of what was produced after a Corsair and Helldiver mated. She looks good.