Siam at War...1/48 Nakajima Ki-27b "Nate", Royal Thai Airforce
8/2025
Next one finished by my dad.
Hasegawa kit with Siam Scale decals. Either this time the decals weren´t so good (used Siam Scale several times before) or the paint surface, because the decals silver a bit. Painted with a selfmixed grey, MRP RLM82 and Gunze H60 IJA Green.
EZ Line used for the antenna wires. The canopy wasn´t a good fit. Tried to make it fit by sanding and bending, but that caused two cracks in the rear part. Replaced that part of the canopy with a vacform from Dead Design.
Build thread here
https://imodeler.com/groups/serving-under-another-flag/forum/topic/siam-at-war-1-48-nakajima-ki-27b-nate-royal-thai-airforce/
On December 8th 1941, Japan started to invade Thailand and forced it to become its ally, which then happened on December 20th. In January 1942 Thailand declared war on the Allies. The Thai Airforce was reluctant to support the Japanese advance with its aircraft. So Japan delivered a whole bunch of various aircraft types to the Thais. Among them were 12 Ki27, designated Fighter Type 12 or ‘Ota' by the Thais, which were built under license in occupied Manchuria and stationed at Don Muang airfield. The Thai Nates didn´t play a significant role in combat, although they had some sorties and engagemenst with US aircraft. By April 1945 only 5 Otas were still airworthy, by November only 1.
To avoid confusion with the British roundels, the Thai roundels were replaced with a charging elephant from 1941-1945.
Nice work. That’s still a very popular kit after all of these years.
Thanks John! Yes, still turns out lovely.
Amazing work on this great kit. Very nice paint and rivet highlights. Too bad about the canopy.
Another Mania kit the that was so good that Hasegawa continues to use it today.
Thanks George! Yes not all old things are bad 🙂
How did you mount the engine? I went with the "make my own firewall" route. I love the markings
Thanks Chris! Most of the time my dad and I try to avoid the common schemes and markings. My dad glued the engine into the middle cowl ring, applying the glue on the sides of the engine.
Excellent Nate and very nice markings, Reinhard!
Thanks a lot Spiros!
A wonderful result, Reinhard @grimreaper
Well done
Thank you very much John!
Fantastic - love the scheme and markings - I'm with you on unusual options!