1/48 Manshu Ki-79b – Empire of Japan Group Build.
This is the new RS Models kit of this unusual little plane. The Ki-79 was a trainer version of the Ki-27 army fighter. It was produced in Harbin, Manchuria by the Manshu Aircraft subsidiary of the Japanese Nakajima company. It was produced in both single and two seat configurations. In addition to being used as an advanced trainer by the Japanese army, it was also employed in boys high school flying clubs during the later stages of the war. These flying clubs were set up to provide special attack (suicide) pilots for the anticipated invasion of Japan. My model represents a Ki-79 of the 113th Shimbu Tai (army special attack squadron), that was expended during the Okinawa campaign.
The model is a simple, no frills, limited run kit. Everything went together as designed after the usual parts cleanup required for kits of this nature. I drilled out the rear cockpit instrument panels, made seat belts from lead foil, and added the box framing to the bomb fins. I painted it with a base coat of Tamiya AS-12 bare metal silver straight from the can. The green mottling was airbrushed Xtracolor RAF dark green with a bit of black added. Everything else was Humbrol enamels. The kit decals worked very well sandwiched between two coats of brushed Future. EZ line for the antenna and a shot of dull cote finished it off.
11 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Louis Gardner said on December 27, 2020
John, @j-healy
Magnificent work here ! It was fun to watch you build it in your journal. I have never seen another one like it built up before. The extra little things you did with drilling out the instruments, and the tiny scratch marks in the dark green paint near the cockpit make it stand out even more. I learned something while reading your article, and that was about how these planes were also used in High School "Flying Clubs".
Thanks for completing another one for our Empire of Japan group. I pressed the liked button too...
Happy new Year. 🙂
John Healy said on December 28, 2020
Thanks, Louis! Happy new year to you too!
George Henderson said on December 27, 2020
Very nice John. I was unaware of the kit. Added to the already way too long list
John Healy said on December 28, 2020
Thanks, George. I had a vague knowledge of the plane. Discovered the kit while perusing Hannant’s website.
Pedro L. Rocha said on December 27, 2020
Awesome model, first time I came across this Nate derivation and even more there is a kit for it. Nice airbrush work, thumbs up John
John Healy said on December 28, 2020
Thank you, Pedro! The Paasche Talon never fails.
Tom Cleaver said on December 27, 2020
Beautiful airbrush work, and I followed all the improvements you took the time to create with the model. A big "like"!
John Healy said on December 28, 2020
Thanks, Tom. It was an interesting little project.
Spiros Pendedekas said on December 27, 2020
This is an fantastic job of a plane very rarely seen built, John @j-healy!
I had the pleasure to follow your build and was amazed by the quality of your work.
Airbrushing is super!
I confess I had no idea this plane existance...
Congratulations on your build!
John Healy said on December 28, 2020
Thanks, Spiros! We really live in a golden age for our hobby with oddball kits like this becoming available.
John vd Biggelaar said on December 27, 2020
Beautiful build, John.
I really like that camouflage pattern you applied.
For sure I'm going to read your building thread.
John Healy said on December 28, 2020
Thank you, John!
Haslam Yeoman said on December 27, 2020
First build of this kit I have seen and a great result especially the airbrushing.
John Healy said on December 28, 2020
Thanks, Haslam! I had fun with it.
Reinhard Spreitzhofer said on December 28, 2020
That´s a rare one, lovely job!
John Healy said on December 28, 2020
Thanks, Reinhard!
Paul Barber said on December 29, 2020
Brilliant contribution to EOJ - and better still magnificent execution. The paint job is outstanding!
John Healy said on December 29, 2020
Thanks, Paul!
Greg Kittinger said on January 1, 2021
Lovely build of a rare subject! Love the scheme. Nice job with a short-run kit.