This is my very first kit from Italeri. I’ve always had my eye on the Revell of Germany Arado. It’s been sometime as I continued to contemplate if and when I wanted to build the Revell of Germany Arado. I’m very glad I waited. A couple of days ago, Mrs. Toshi and I went on a outing.
Mrs. Toshi took me to Olive Garden to meet some family members. Prior to our dinner date, Mrs. Toshi surprised me with a visit to Hobby Town USA. Once there I got to purchase this kit and three other kits as well.
They are as follows:
Tamiya 1/48 F4U-1A Corsair
Hasegawa 1/72 Mitsubishi J2M3 Raiden (Jack) Type 21
Tamiya 1/35 Kampfpanzer Leopard
This should keep me busy for a week! LOL! No really, I’m going to take my time and have fun building these kits. I’ve even joined two GB. A Japanese GB (The Raiden kit) and a Thunderbolt GB (Raiden kit). You see, the Hasegawa Raiden kit comes with two Raidens. I couldn’t understand why a Japanese Raiden could join a Thunderbolt GB. I found out from modelcrazy that Raiden in Japanese means Thunderbolt. How stupid am I being of Japanese decent and not knowing what Raiden means! LOL!
Anyway, as always I hope you all enjoy this Arado build as much as I will build this kit. Thank you so very much for your support, reads, and replies! This means so much to me, I highly appreciate it!
Lucky man! Surprises from the wife are always enjoyable.
My wife has never taken me to a model shop, but i’ve certainly dragged her through a few
Some of my most treasured models are the ones my wife has gifted to me - even if they aren’t necessarily expensive or the latest or greatest, it’s the thought that she actually went to a model shop and picked something out.
I’m lucky to be able to have such a great wife like Mrs. Toshi. She’s been through hell and back with my issues and I so love her for it. My dream is to take Mrs. Toshi to Japan and walk through the main Tamiya store location.
I have to agree with you sir. It’s the little things that the Mrs. does that makes life so very special. You see, I have TBI Traumatic Brain Injury and the therapist introduced me to model kits. After that Mrs. Toshi has supported this endevour 150%, and I haven’t looked back as this hobby has helped with my recovery.
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support and willingness to follow my Arado build. I am most humbled.
Yes WannabeFarmboy, it does look like a great kit. I’ve heard and read reviews of this kit and nothing but positive remarks were made. I also have heard great things about Italeri kits, as I’ve mentioned above, this is my first Italeri model.
So far, I am currently working on the seat belts and will have pics up soon for this WIP. Normally, I’ve noticed that sea planes are unique looking in nature and the Arado doesn’t fail to be unique as well.
I want to thank you very much for your support and the following of my Arado build. It’s greatly appreciated.
Here is the very first step in the Arado build. I’m going to do a OOB build as I’ve never built a Italeri kit before. As you can see below, the seatbelts have been attached or in this case applied. Yes, it’s a decal seatbelt. I’ve never seen a decal seatbelt before so this was not only interesting it was fun applying.
I use a iPhone 4s to take the photos as that’s the easiest format for me. When I do, I always highlight the HD symbol. This time it makes my gray RLM 02 look a lot darker than it suppose to. It’s either darker pictures or pixelized photos. LOL!
I think forum members would agree that a little darker photos in HD is better than a bunch of blurry pics. LOL! Anyway, this is what’s being done thus far. I’ll continue to give updates on this build as I go along. So far, this kit is amazing! It has very nice and beautiful details, it’s well engineered, and a forum member noted that this Italeri Kit goes together just like a Tamiya kit. I must concur, it definately does! What a great kit so far.
This Arado looks like a very good kit. I am folowing with interest as I love seaplanes, especially in 1/48 scale. I may pick one of these up at the Orlando model show this month.
A little tip from your Uncle Jay;
I know it’s a little late however, but you can put the decaled seatbelts on aluminum foil then install them for a more realistic look.
It is an excellent kit especially for the price. It was $39.99 at 50% off! You gotta love that for a import kit. I hope you do pick a Italeri Arado up and do a WIP Uncle. I’d love to see what you would do to transform this kit with your techniques!
Uncle Jay Jay, I just love your tips! You’ve got me doing all kinds of neat new things everytime. As for the foil, I had no idea in that that could be done. I’ll definately keep that technique in my folder and apply it next time. Uncle Jay Jay, thank you so much for all you’ve done for me. You’ve watched me grow and helped me along the way. I so appreciate it. Please give my love to Aunty Jay Jay and you have a nice day Uncle Jay Jay. From your nephew, Toshi!
Nice choice of subject. I have been trying to get hold of the Revell 32nd kit bit its really hard to find at the moment.
Look forward to seeing you put this together, which marking option are you going for.
Several companies use, or at least used to, decal set belts, but i have not sen them used often. defintaly lok better with some form of backing behind them.
Thank you, I’ve always wanted to build a Arado. I had my sights set on a Revell of Germany Arado kit. I’m glad I waited to get this Italeri Arado as it’s my first Italeri kit.
As for what marking option I’ll be choosing is between these two. Arado Ar 196 A-5, 2/Sagr. 125 Crete 1941 or the Arado Ar 196 A-2, 1/BordfliegerGr. 196, Battleship Bismarck, 1940. Thank you Bish for visiting my Arado 196 thread!
I’ll get that Revell kit one day, i am hopeing it will be re-released soon. Theres a rather nice resin launcher for it i would not mnd displaying it on.
A lot of kits tend to have markings for one of the Crete based aircraft. Good choices either way.
Nice work so far Toshi. As for Italeria(SP) kits I have only built the M4A1 76mm Sherman, and I was very pleased with the outcome. I found it to be a very simple and straight forward build. It currently is sitting on my shelf waiting for me to fix it after its wreck during my last move.
I’d love to see a WIP of that kit from you. Especially with the resin launcher. I’m leaning towards the Bismark for it’s historical value and it’s paint scheme is one of my favorites!
Thank you sir. That’s great to know that your Italeri kit came out so good. So far from what the Italeri Arado Kit has offered and that I’ve encountered and built, the Arado kit is coming along just fine and I’m looking forward to the rest of the build with great excitement!
A very nice Wednesday (Humpday)! Mrs. Toshi took me to a brand new restaurant that opened here in Streetsboro call “Don Patron”, a Mexican grill. Being in the food industry for thirty plus years as a Executive Chef and a Master Sushi Chef, I know or at the very least I think I know a few things about the food industry.
What I liked was that the hostess opened the door for me and greeted me with great enthusiasm. we were seated immediately and a server attended to our every need right on the dot. The server must have touched our table at least six times of which was exceptional. What about the food?
There is another Mexican restaurant down the road Mrs. Toshi and I frequented Called “El Campensino”. Not anymore! The food at “Don Patron” was to die for. That’s some of the best food I’ve had in a long time. When service meets and exceeds your expectations, with great food, that made “Don Patron” my number one favorite Mexican eatery.
After that, we took a short trip to Walmart and came home. I of course immediately went straight into the den and started work on my Italeri Arado. Here is just a partial build of the Arados cockpit. Please take a view below. Thank you forum members!
