I started Hasegawa’s 1/48 A6M2-N “Rufe” a few days ago, and completed the cockpit today. I’m using Eduard’s photoetched detail set (no surprise there, huh?) on this kit. Based on some excellent reference pics I have, I added numerous wires, cables, linkages, and hoses. I also added the tube for the fresh air inlet from a drilled piece of solder, and added the box to the pilot’s right foot. The PE item wasn’t quite correct, so I used two sides of it (with holes) and added a plastic top. The PE handles are leftovers from another detail set. The Nakajima cockpit color was mixed from Gunze Sangyo paints. The little “floor” behind the cockpit was first painted Alcad Aluminum, then overcoated with Gunze Clear Green for the Green Aotake. The interior of the fuselage, ahead and behind the cockpit, was also given the same treatment.
"Nuff blabberin’. Here’s the pics:
This will be a pretty quick build from here. I’ll assemble the airframe Friday, and probably paint it also (the fuselage halves & wing halves are done). The PE flaps, engine, and bombs will be done after that.
Absolutely first rate work, as always. How do you find such detailed reference material to work with? I go to the usual links listed here on the forum, but rarely find much good cockpit detail pics. Any suggestions would be most welcome, and thanks for sharing your great work with us!
I got the kit on sale for about $15, and the PE was only $10. Pretty good kit and detail for just twenty five bucks !
I got the airframe assembled today. I had wanted to paint it, but I forgot that the canopy wasn’t Futured yet. I also have to add the “glass” and PE ring to the gunsight.
The lower wing didn’t quite match the fuselage shape at the nose, as it was a bit wider. I undid the fuselage seam at the nose and Tenaxed the wing in place one side at a time. I pushed out the fuselage through the opening in the nose to eliminate a couple small gaps. No filling required !
The main float was glued with CA for a strong bond, and to eliminate any potential gaps. After a little sanding, I have what appears to be a one-piece airframe.
I’ll have to wait until Saturday to paint. It will still be one of my quicker builds !
Not many replies for all the viewings. Maybe you’re getting tired of my stuff?
Great like always! What is color of sit belts? We are not tired of you models, I will speak for my self (Please no offense to other great modelers) but only think I can say about your stuff is “Great Job” “Whhoowww” or just be speechless, however keep them coming.
Perish the thought! We will NEVER get tired of seeing your marvelous work! I think the light response traffic is the result of turkey (L-Tryptophan sleep inducing) overdosing on all our parts! Please keep the pics and info coming. I’d be lost without you and Swanny!
Gumiflex - I painted the belts with Gunze acrylics. The lighter portion is H313 (yellow) and the leather portion is H7 (brown).
Gumiflex and Bgrigg - a simple like/don’t like is fine. I like this cockpit more than any other I’ve built, and I was surprised to see how few out of the many who viewed it offered any words. You needn’t think of offering different comments. Anything is fine with me.
Brian - yes, the dreaded turkey enzyme ! I buy a half a pound of deli turkey for my cat each week (at $8 a pound !), and he gets it twice a day. And he always takes a nap afterwards !
Thanks pixilater, I actually picked up a kit of the Ki-84II Oscar early version today. Perhaps you could fill us in on what ‘propeller colour’ is, for want of a better term from Hasegawa.
Shaun - the color is “Red-Brown Primer,” and was used on some props and antennas. I use the out-of-production AeroMaster Warbird acrylic paint on mine. You can find mixes (using Gunze Sangyo acrylics) for just about every IJN/IJA aircraft here:
