Hi everyone!

This is my second entry at this exciting and addicting Empire of Japan (EoJ) GB!

The Val, a dive bomber, was an astonishing machine at the early phases (and even later) of the war. Superb aerodynamically, behaving more like a fighter than a bomber; speed and maneuverability were top class. Could be more of a match to an unaware fighter. Bombing accuracy was something the Val was renowned for.

I bought this kit during the Golden Ages of my shelf of doom creation and augmentation, which was about 15 years ago. It looks typical amazing Hasegawa, very promising in the box, totally sufficient for a less than average OOB builder, like yours trully. I will do the AI-251 plane, which was on board carrier Akagi, during the Midway conflict.

I had the usual expert (my 2.5 yo beloved younger son Nikos) examining the kit. He gave me two thumbs up and the order to proceed immediately! Please check the photos!

Thanks for all your supportive and constuctive comments during my first build! Now, let me execute my son's orders and proceed immediately!

Keep up, great builders of the EoJ GB!

5 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Fantastic choice Spiros @fiveten

I have one of these kits with the wing fold option... and lately it's been very tempting. Looks like you have it under control, and your little co pilot will keep things going for you. It's very cool to get your children involved in the hobby. You are setting a great example here.

@billkoppos I am ashamed to say I still try to locate my Saburo Sakai's Zero in my SoD...
I used not to be extremely fond of spats in the past...I am almost to be nominated "member of the month" at the "Spatted Beauties Lovers Worldwide" group.
I keep searching though...

When you least expect it you will find your Saburo Sakai A6M... When it is meant to be it will happen...
What is it with the wheel spats lately ? Maybe there's something in our water, for recently I too have been afflicted... and thinking about building another D3-A Val, a Ju-87 Stuka, a Henschel HS-123, and a Gee Bee racer ! LOL

Good model to work with Spiros, much more in detail in the cockpit. What Hasegawa provides in the kit is miles over the Fujimi. You may have a much better hand in detailing with the brushes and pencils, which I love to do myself. But just don't have that ability to do any more. Eyesight is still 20/20 but can't seem to maintain that steady hand. So been using the zoom sets for awhile now. I love the kid shots too, very nice moments with the kids. That's how I got started with dad myself. Of course we didn't have much else to distract us back then unless you collected baseball, football cards or was out playing little league sports.

Brilliant Spiros. Straight back in the game. Carry on at this rate and you’ll have built the entire Japanese airforce by the end of the group build! Love it!

@billkoppos: Two builds, both of them spatted? bit wild, I know, my friend... How about a Spit in spats? A whatiffer captured in Japanese markings?

Hi everyone!
Cockpit painted interior green and starting picking up its details. Painted steel: wheel rims, propeller, ammo magazines, throttle lever, foot pedals, stick, outward bomb pylons, central bomb restrain system, engine crankcase etc. Inner cowling painted interior green as well. Exhausts drilled to look more realistic (please compare from the pic below).
I have to say that this kit is of very high quality. It's a joy building my Hase Val!
Let's keep up, magnificent EoJ GB!

3 attached images. Click to enlarge.