1/48 AB&K A2N3 Biplane
Truth be told, I am not sure why I went online and bought this model in the summer of 2020. I may be very into Japanese WW2 planes but biplanes? Hey, I am not insane. Then again, these silver doped planes are very attractive with their red stripes and large scripts. This one turned out to be an excellent little kit (emphasis on little).
The only problem I had with the kit was installing the cockpit into the fuselage. I ended up having to file down one side of the cockpit considerably to get the fuselage to close up completely.
Adding the top wing is always a difficult part of any biplane build. I attached the braces to the bottom wing and the fuselage. Then I did the "flip it onto the top wing and glue one section at a time" method. I was subsequently told this is NOT the way to do it.
I'll know for next time!
I rigged the plane using Wonder Wire (extremely thin ceramic wire sold by Precision Enterprises). The wire is straight as an arrow but you can bend it in order to fit it into place.
If you are interested in reading more about the airplane or this model build, I have a blog entry about it here:
http://modelairplanemaker.com/2020/10/30/1-48-a2n3-biplane-fighter-by-abk/
Nice job, Chris! Love the colors and clean look...WELL DONE.
A gem of a build.
Nice work, Chris! That is an excellent kit.
Beautiful result. I gotta pull mine out and finish it. Thanks for the inspiration!
I've started on their A2N2 - basically the same aircraft but with a straight top wing instead of the dihedral. I got the one with the photo etch and resin, and it really is a lovely little kit, aside from the fit of the cockpit floor and bulkhead. But that's easy to remedy.
I've also got the GasPatch 1/48 Otsu 1, which is going to be much more involved. But if anyone's looking for a Japanese biplane that falls together on its own, check out the Fine Molds Kawasaki Ki-10. Even the most biplane averse will have nothing to complain about with that one. You could probably put that one together while wearing mittens.
Amazing result, Chris!
Beautiful. I was unaware of this aircraft
Superbly build, Chris @modelairplanemaker
Never heard about ceremic wire but it looks amazing.
Seems I'm attaching the upperwing of a bi-plane like you did which seems not the way to do it, can you tell which way is the better approach?
John - I was advised the best way to do it is to start the attachment with the middle "posts" and then glue the outer ones. I suspect this would also help with any leveling issues. I'll know for next time!
Real nice.
Excellent ! Looks very nice.
That is really nice! Looks like that wire may work ok for 72 scale - what do you think? I may elect to build a few more bipes if it does!
Beautiful results!
Wow! What a clean, well-made model plane! Very well-done indeed Chris @modelairplanemaker. ?