A Neat Little `Nate` Ki-27b from Hasegawa in 1/72
This is the Hasegawa kit NP9 Nakajima Ki-27b ‘Nate', depicting the aircraft flown by Capt. Shironaga with the 24th Flight Regiment in the Philippines in 1940. Interesting history behind the Ki-27, being the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force's main fighter until the start of World War II
This is another example of a Hasegawa release of an older Mania mold. I got this kit from a vendor at a local show about a year ago, missing the canopy and about 80% built. I didn't notice at the time, but the previous owner must have used it as a engraving tester as most of the raised panel line were replaced by some decent but not perfect engraved panel lines. I had a spare canopy in my spare parts and figured this kit would be more good practice for my new Tamiya airbrush.
The kit came with some nice Aeromaster Decals and a camo pattern detailing the top view and the port side view. I also had the ICM instructions, which had the same two views – but, no starboard view. A quick search on iModeler came up with Reinhard Spreitzhofer's (@grimreaper) build from 2020 and all three views available – thanks Reinhard! Painting mostly freehand, I loosely followed the viewed pattern after applying some black pre-shading. I did use some UHU Tach pad for the upper/lower demarcation with the light grey and a couple of tricky tight areas. The ICM instructions ‘sort of' pointed me towards using XF-13 J.A Green, XF-5 Flat Green and XF-52 Flat Earth for the three-camo colours. I used XF-14 J.A. Grey for the undersides. Is this the first example of a tricolour SEA camouflage scheme? Looking at the final build, I probably should have used a lighter tint than the XF-5 Green.
The AeroMaster decals were nice, but they were a bit stiff. The decals worked out okay in the end.
When I do build the ICM kit, I plan to finish that nicer detailed kit with markings from the Royal Thai Airforce.
Overall, I'm happy with the result. Thanks for viewing.
Excellent result on the petite 1/72 Nate, George! Super painting job with your new Tamiya airbrush!
Thanks Spiros (@fiveten)!
It's amazing what can happen when you listen to/read instructions.
Thinning and pressure is the key.
This one looks really nicely done. I like the paint scheme & decals you chose.
Thanks Jay (@ssgt)!
Really nice work on this little aircraft, George @georgeswork
The new airbrush delivered great result, did you do the marcation by hand or did you use a mask for that.
Thanks John (@johnb),
I modified the post to say 'mostly freehand' as I did actually use some UHU Tach pad for the upper/lower demarcation with the light grey and a couple of tricky tight areas. I must of sprayed the plane about 5 times as I had to touch up each area which had overspray. I really like how opaque thinned Tamiya acrylics are and the way they can coverup previous painted areas
Nicely done George.
Thank you Allan (@kalamazoo).
Well done, George
Thank you Gary (@gwskat).
Excellent build!
Thank you Dan (@dbdlee)!
Very attractive build of a seldom seen subject.
Thank you Russell (@russjurco).
Well done, George!
Thanks John (@j-healy)
Well done, a fine looking little Nate!
Thank you Chas (@chasbunch)
Great looking little build, and I like that camo scheme. Well done!