With the Jill finally finished, now to get started on the Nichimo Ki-45 Nick.
Lets take a peek in the box. Popping the lid reveals the decals, a set of instructions. I received this kit from my good friend Louis Gardner a couple of years ago, among a couple of Pete's as well, so in the box he or the previous owner of the kit had printed out some reviews of the kit that were included.
The instructions are of the exploded style view of assembly. Mostly in Japanese, but they do include a separate written text in English to follow the order of assembly.
The decals are for 2 versions of the Grey with the Green spotted camo scheme.
I have a set of Rising Decals for an overall Dark Green Ki-45,
To help out a rather basic interior, thought not bad for a 70's designed kit from a company that would have toy like features. I will be using the Hasegawa Zoom set to enhance the Nichimo bits. Though the Instrument panel won't be able to be used as it is much wider than the Nichimo's IP. There were some interior details for this kit but being long out of production, I could not find any around.
Now the plastic, molded in a light grey styrene with fine rivet and engraved panel lines. Not bad in an era when raised panel lines were the norm. The first sprue contains, the horizontal stabs, gear doors, cockpit floor, wheels, engine nacelle cowl rings, and main gear components.
The flight deck floor is one piece which runs back to the rear compartment. Some raised electrical boxes, molded in pedals. Very basic
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1. Rudder pedals moulded in
The main gear doors are separate and can be posed closed with some trimming. Some basic interior details, how accurate will have to check on that.
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1. Some bit of flash
2. Basic details
Horizontal stabs are of 4 parts, upper lower halves. Elevators are moulded in neutral position. Fine rivet details.
Next sprue contains the props, engine cowls, main gear struts, interior components, instrument panel, engines and prop spinners.
The prop looks ok and the engine cylinder actually have decent details, fine cooling fins on the cylinder heads. Good to work with some fine detailing will enhance them.
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1. Cylinder heads with fine cooling fins
The pushrods and exhaust collectors are also provided as separate parts, cool.
The wings are also of 4 main parts. The engine nacelles are moulded into the lower half of the wings. Very fine petite rivet and engraved panel lines, a bit of flash but otherwise not warped.
Next are the fuselage halves, not much on interior details, stringers within the front and rear compartments. But exterior the fine rivet and engraved panel lines remain consistent with the rest of the kit exterior bits. Some flash, but again no warps or any other issues.
The clear parts are not bad, just a tad thick but will suffice. Will take note how the rear glass will fit an issue notated by Spiros on his Nick project.
next up paint the interior components, engines, etc...
more to follow
