Sweet 1/144 Type 96 Carrier Fighter (A5M4)
I started this project yesterday, and finished it up this afternoon. As with all of Sweets' kits, I loved it. A relaxing (mostly), easy build and 4 really cool livery. The model was airbrushed with Alclad II White Aluminum, and Gunze-Sangyo acrylics. I fashioned a rudimentary seat harness from Tamiya tape. I'm especially pleased that I successfully placed both exhaust stubs and the aiming periscope! Those exhaust stubs were smaller than a pin head! The backdrop is another Coastal Kits set. I say "mostly" relaxing as the fuselage decals were a bit of a challenge. I used liquid mask on the canopy panes, but it didn't work as well as I'd hoped. So, I went back over the frames with a Molotov chrome marker. That actually worked pretty well. Weathering was omitted because this machine is so elegant I want it to stand on its own merits. Enjoy the pics!
9 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Spiros Pendedekas said on February 28, 2021
This is such an amazing build, James @jkelleycrna!
Kudos to your tackling those small exhausts and the periscope!
What a Sweet (literally!) little jewel!
Congratulations!
George Schembri said on February 28, 2021
Could easily pass for 1/72 or even a 1/48.
Impressive little guy and some great photos!
Haslam Yeoman said on March 1, 2021
That is a little gem.
Robert Royes said on March 1, 2021
Nicely done!
John vd Biggelaar said on March 1, 2021
Fantastic result for such an incredible tiny plane, James.
The build and the way you made the pictures make it look much bigger.
George Williams said on March 1, 2021
Yes, especially amazing in this scale, definitely liked.
Greg Kittinger said on March 1, 2021
It appears there are some really nice 144 kits out there now of small fighters, and you've really brought this one to life. Most of the older kits seemed to look like toys, but this really carries the role well.