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Mitsubishi J2M3 Raiden

Started by Tom Bebout · 15 ≡ · ↻ 4 years ago

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Tom Bebout said 4 years, 7 months ago:

This is the old Tamiya 1/48 scale kit. Not a lot of parts but detail looks good and it should be a rather quick build. Have to do some research concerning colors etc. I also have a Gekko Type 11 in the stash and may do it as well depending on time.
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
Tom Bebout said 4 years, 7 months ago:

Opened the box and looked over the parts. Not a lot so this should go rather quickly when i start.

The cockpit has some nice detail, the IP is just a decal placed on a flat surface.

There are two nicely molded pilot figures included, one sitting and one standing.

There is no engine, however, but with the cooling fan and spinner attached you would never see the engine.

The glass is only displayed in the closed position, but since it's big and clear you'll should be able to see the cockpit rather well.

Instructions are straight forward and easy to comprehend

The only issue I for see are the decals. They are old and I'm not sure how they'll lay down or maybe disintegrate upon hitting water.

Two versions are depicted and I like is the lighting bolt version the best.

Should begin building in the near future.
Louis Gardner said 4 years, 7 months ago:

Thanks for joining us Tom... @tom-bebout
I have that same kit in the stash, and was looking to build the larger 1/32 scale Hasegawa version of it as part of our new group. Hopefully the decals will work out for you. Please keep me posted.
Bill Koppos said 4 years, 7 months ago:

There are scads of after market decals for that. Check out Sprue Brothers. OR better yet, cut and mask out the circles, and paint 'em!
George R Blair Jr said 4 years, 7 months ago:

Great choice. I have always loved the way this plane looks.
Spiros Pendedekas said 4 years, 7 months ago:

Excellent choice, Tom. What a beautiful plane!
Tom Bebout said 4 years, 4 months ago:
Long time no post so here's a quick update. Finally got the cockpit together, added some belts and a little wash to the side consoles.
1. added belts

2.
Of course the wing Nav lights are molded plastic representations, so they were cut out and replaced with some scrap clear sprue.
1. clear sprue with green paint added to drilled hole

2.
The final results turned out quite well IMHO.
1. finished result
To get some clear sheen on them I use various grades of sanding sticks. The triple one I found at Sally's Beauty Salon where my wife buys her hair color. [pic 4]
1 additional image. Click to enlarge.
1. This works great to clear up clear parts

2.
Spiros Pendedekas said 4 years, 4 months ago:

Loved the wingtip lights, Tom.
Excellent cockpit, too!
Erik Gjørup said 4 years, 4 months ago:

Always nice when the beauty salon has modeling stuff 🙂

I like the lights a lot
Tom Bebout said 4 years, 3 months ago:
Finally got some bench time and completed the IP which is an AM piece.
1. After market IP
Then closed up the fuselage and thought the fit of the IP was very good and enhanced the over all look of the cockpit
1. IP fit was very good
Next came the wings which required some sanding and had some fit issues requiring some putty.
1. Some sanding to get tight fit
The cowl was also slightly smaller than the fuselage leaving a slight step which meant more sanding.
1. Slight step between fuselage and cowl
Should have some paint on her shortly.
Spiros Pendedekas said 4 years, 3 months ago:

Nice job, Tom! The IP is really nice and adds alot to realism.
John Healy said 4 years, 3 months ago:

Nice work, Tom. I’ve always wondered what that kit looked like. Looks like it still holds up well.
Louis Gardner said 4 years, 3 months ago:

Tom, @tom-bebout
This is really looking sharp ! That aftermarket IP is definitely the ticket to a great looking office. What company made it and where did you get it from ? I'm very curious, as I still have one of these in the stash and just looked at it a few minutes ago. Thanks bud.
George Henderson said 4 years, 3 months ago:

just found this thread; innards turned out well Tom. I've always loved this tubby little beastie
Jeremy Millan said 4 years, 3 months ago:

I’ll be following this build...I’ve always wanted to build this kit but knew nothing about it. And the lights and IP look great.

Here’s a pic I took of a Raiden at the planes of fame museum recently. I love the yellow lightening bolts on it.
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.

Viewing 1 - 15 of 15 posts

The Empire of Japan 1919-1946

Mitsubishi J2M3 Raiden