Nichimo 1/48 Mitsubishi Ki-51 Type 99 "Sonia", IJA

Started by Reinhard Spreitzhofer · 58 · 4 years ago · IJA, Ki-51, Nichimo, Sonia
  • Profile Photo
    Reinhard Spreitzhofer said 4 years, 8 months ago:

    Never participated in a group build, so let´s give it a try.
    Good timing, my dad recently started the Nichimo Sonia and will soon start a IJN Kate.

    The kit was first released in 1975. Molding still looks fine.
    DSC_0012 by grimreaper110, auf Flickr

    DSC_0004 by grimreaper110, auf Flickr

    DSC_0005 by grimreaper110, auf Flickr

    DSC_0006 by grimreaper110, auf Flickr

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    DSC_0008 by grimreaper110, auf Flickr

    already painted and built up the engine
    DSC_0009 by grimreaper110, auf Flickr

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    Louis Gardner said 4 years, 8 months ago:

    Hello Reinhard @grimreaper
    This is a neat kit that Nichimo did back in the 1970's. I have the exact same boxing in my stash. I'll be looking forward to see how it builds. Please keep posting the photos... it's looking good.

    Thanks for joining us.

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    Reinhard Spreitzhofer said 4 years, 8 months ago:

    Hi Louis!
    I´ll do! Already doing regular WIP posts for all my dad´s projects on Britmodeller, so it´s no problem to do it here too 🙂

  • Profile Photo
    Reinhard Spreitzhofer said 4 years, 8 months ago:

    using Tamiya XF-71 Cockpit Green for the interior
    DSC_0008 by grimreaper110, auf Flickr

    don´t know if this unit/aircraft was only used as an attack plane or was also used as a recon bird, so my dad installed the cameras too

    DSC_0003 by grimreaper110, auf Flickr

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    more engine progress

    DSC_0006 by grimreaper110, auf Flickr

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    Louis Gardner said 4 years, 8 months ago:

    Now this is what I'm talking about ! Good stuff right here ... Thanks for posting your Dad's work for us to see. Thanks again, and please stay safe out there. We are in some crazy times right now...

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    Spiros Pendedekas said 4 years, 8 months ago:

    Hi Reinhard! Great progress!
    Got three 1/48 early release unbuilt Nichimos: Jake, Kate and Nick; found 15 years ago at my local hobby shop. Bought at the embarrassing low price of 10 euros each. Love them as they are, but I prefer to build them. Have to do something with the Jake cockpit (the kit is "motorized") so a joke cockpit is provided.

  • Profile Photo
    Reinhard Spreitzhofer said 4 years, 8 months ago:

    and some more progress
    although you won´t see mcuh later, my dad applied some wash
    DSC_0004 by grimreaper110, auf Flickr

    this is the kit´s pilot seat, very 70ies style 😀
    DSC_0001 by grimreaper110, auf Flickr
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    thinned it down slightly, rounded the upper edge, drilled some holes and added Fine Molds plastic seat belts
    DSC_0004 by grimreaper110, auf Flickr

    DSC_0005 by grimreaper110, auf Flickr

    DSC_0006 by grimreaper110, auf Flickr

    used masking tape for the rear seatbelts
    DSC_0008 by grimreaper110, auf Flickr

    DSC_0009 by grimreaper110, auf Flickr

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    Reinhard Spreitzhofer said 4 years, 8 months ago:

    cowl mounted
    DSC_0003 by grimreaper110, auf Flickr

    DSC_0004 by grimreaper110, auf Flickr

    sadly Nichimo didn´t provide clear parts for the landing light covers

    either my dad will paint them or do some scratchbuilding...

    DSC_0005 by grimreaper110, auf Flickr

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    Spiros Pendedekas said 4 years, 8 months ago:

    That's great progress, Reinhard! Looks excellent! I loved the efforts to improve the simple seat by drilling and reshaping. Looks much more realistic now, doesn't it.
    Fantastic efficiency and quality inyour builds. A am deeply amazed!. Now where is my Nate? Got to catch up!
    All the best!

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    Reinhard Spreitzhofer said 4 years, 8 months ago:

    decided to paint and only simulate the landing light covers, easier to do and no danger of ruining the model

    wings and fuselage joined

    DSC_0004 by grimreaper110, auf Flickr

    DSC_0005 by grimreaper110, auf Flickr

    canopy masked with Montex masks

    DSC_0001 by grimreaper110, auf Flickr

    decals look good

    DSC_0002 by grimreaper110, auf Flickr

    shouldn´t they work, masks for this scheme are provided on the Montex sheet

    DSC_0003 by grimreaper110, auf Flickr

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    Spiros Pendedekas said 4 years, 8 months ago:

    Looking very sharp so far, Reinhard. Good masking! (something I hate).

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    Louis Gardner said 4 years, 8 months ago:

    This is fantastic stuff right here... I am amazed at how quickly it has come together. Looking great !

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    Reinhard Spreitzhofer said 4 years, 8 months ago:

    Thanks again Spiros and Louis! As mentioned the fit is very good, so the build is fast forward so far.

    finally looking like an airplane
    tailplane done

    DSC_0004 by grimreaper110, auf Flickr

    DSC_0005 by grimreaper110, auf Flickr

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    Spiros Pendedekas said 4 years, 8 months ago:

    Excellent progress, Reinhard! Trully quality work! Keep up!

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    Chuck A. Villanueva said 4 years, 8 months ago:

    Very nice start on a kit I have not seen in a long time much less built. Noting the Wingsy Sonia recently presented earlier in the week despite an excellent effort and paint scheme, the builder had to really wrestle with it. The Nichimo kit looks great so far. Except for the seat, the details provided in the interior looks great. I was leaning on getting the Wingsy just to have a Sonia, but going to see if I can find the Nichimo kit instead. Like Spiros I have the Nick which is a decent kit also. Thanks for sharing your WIP, as now we can see how you make such excellent models. Well done, will keep watching this build and taking notes.