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.

4 additional images. Click to enlarge.