Profile Photo
Kyle Koppos
24 articles

For-Lorn, a Solemn Survivor.

May 24, 2021 · in Aviation · · 14 · 2.4K

A few years back I took catalog of my model collection. I had a lot of models. This did not surprise me. I did a rough estimation of how long it takes me to finish one model, and multiplied by how many non-completed models (started and not) I had. The number was a large one, a number that well exceeded the average human life span. This surprised me.

I decided to cut the collection. For the sake of my well-being (and available space), I made a vow, to only collect aircraft, in 1/48th scale, of anything that flew before September 1945. As you can imagine, this is still a huge category, and I have a lot of kits remaining. But it served to shave a significant part of my gatherings away and shrink the holdings to a more manageable size, something that I could reasonably expect to finish before I die. I sold tanks, boats, sci-fi and other odds and ends. Mostly, I sold a large amounts of 1/72s. I kept some, things that hold significant meaning to me or were exceptionally rare. Most of the ones I kept were because they were started already.

This was one of the started ones, and is one of the last remaining 1/72s in my collection. It is the Kyushu Q1W1 "." It survived the purge, as it was in a state of near completion. A straight forward kit, in the typical "limited run Hasegawa" feel of fine molding but some flash and a little bit of fit issues that earlier kits of this manufacturer has. I added some details, but didn't go crazy as I just wanted to get it done.

The aircraft itself has a claim to fame of being one of, if not the first, purposely designed anti-submarine aircraft. A roll that has become an important mainstay in military aviation. Depending on the source, some say it was inspired by the Junkers 88 and some say it merely was convergent evolution, designed to be stable and having the crew close together in one cockpit. It was slow, on purpose, and supposedly nice to fly and maintain. But I wouldn't want to be the man at the gun facing the late-war Hellcat swarm.

Thanks for looking.

Reader reactions:
15  Awesome

9 additional images. Click to enlarge.


14 responses

  1. Amazing model of an important plane, Kyle.
    Not often seen built!

  2. Unusual build, but very nicely done, Kyle.
    Great detailing on that interior, especially for 1/72.

  3. Nicely done Kyle.

  4. Great build. Looks more like 48 scale than 72.I think this only the second time I have seen this kit put together. It would be really good to see some more Japanese twins released in 48 scale.

  5. Neat subject. Liked.

  6. Cleaning out the stash is good! I went through the same realisation !
    Nice model and work too.

  7. Love the lines of your Lorna, Kyle. Great job putting her together and great that you finished it.
    Looks very nice.
    I saw a Fine Molds Q1W kit (FP27) about a year ago and grabbed it as you don't see they too often.

  8. Neat and sweet. I like the finely airbrushed line underneath the nose area. The interior work and canopy framing can't be much better.
    Don't forget the stash you still have in your former residence, eh?

    • All thanks to Dead Design precut masks. Aftermarket masks help with that whole "finishing everything before I die" goal.

      The collection at Denton Street was also figured into the bucket list goal. Though I should probably recount eventually.

  9. Kyle...Good job on the first model I've seen of this a/c. Cool.

    Agree...canopy masks can be brutal, especially in 1/72 (like the multipaned/framed A6M5c Zero).

  10. Very nice! I don't think I have this in my stash - I may go looking for one. It does have a bit of "88" in it...

  11. Great build, nicely done!

  12. Beautiful build, Kyle.
    Greg, I've got one that will never get built. Let me know if you're in the USA and interested in buying it at a reasonable price.

Leave a Reply