Hi guys!
Quick question, my Hasegawa Pearl Harbor Kate has NMF undersides, does that mean the aircraft was previously unpainted? Asking because I could go for an NMF scheme rather than the camouflaged one.
Thanks!
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Saw this commentary on another site:
When did the Japanese start to spray the green mottling over the natural finish of their aircraft? - Early 1943 and it was unique to the Army Air Force. Before that some very badly worn solid schemes often took on the appearance of a blotchy mottle, e.g. 64th Sentai
Was it factory or field applied? - Generally it was applied in Army Depots in Japan or overseas after production but before issue to units. But this varied depending on time and opportunity and sometimes units applied their own or extra camouflage to suit local conditions or flew aircraft received unpainted.
And, were the bottom surfaces painted or left natural metal? - In cases of mottle applied over natural metal they were usually left natural metal and that was the more usual finish but some mottles were applied on top of overall paint jobs of grey-green, light grey or light blue. The more elaborate schemes usually coinciding with periods ‘out of the line’ or during the less active monsoon periods. Two-tone variations included brown mottle over solid green, green mottle over solid brown and green and brown mottle over natural metal.
Also, was this scheme applied universally or was it regionally/theatre specific? - it developed as an expedient response to logistical challenges with participation in the New Guinea campaign but soon became general across SWPA and CBI as attrition and replacement became an issue. From June 1944 aircraft manufacturers were ordered to resume full factory painting using a standard scheme of olive brown.
The patterns and styles varied considerably so it is best to refer to a photo of the chosen subject where possible.
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Brilliant! I’ll paint my Kate in green/brown tops and metal below. Thanks!
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And double check the control surfaces on the underside. I think they were still IJN gray.
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Thank you for the compliments on the F-2. I really appreciate it. In comparison to the detail on the other builds, it’s almost like a snap together in comparison!
The Japanese have a history of great looking aircraft. As for history, the explanation of the paint schemes was really interesting. Thank you for adding that.
I haven’t accomplished much on the F-4EJ lately. It was my wife’s birthday this past weekend, so I was pretty focused on her.
Again, thanks for the compliments. It feels great to actually finish something after 5 years!
Greg
Some decent progress on the Tamiya A6M5. Wings and tail have been glued in place while the engine and prop are placed for posterity.
This is a REALLY great model kit. It’s too bad they didn’t do the rest of the Zero line. Detail and fit are Fabolous. Building this as an OOB build, so the belts you see, are cut from paper bits cut from the kit’s instruction sheet; including the buckles. (I wasn’t thrilled with the decal belts the kit provides…).
Hopefully will start to throw paint at her by the weekend…maybe.
Cheers, y’all!
Freddie.
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@cbaltrin This is a great idea! Thanks for creating the thread! Looking through my stash, I have a Mitsubishi J2M3 Raiden (Jack) in 1/48 scale by Arii that would be a fun build. Please count me in with this entry. Thanks again!
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Hello gents.
Short intro - I’m Eric Bergerud residing - depending upon the weather - in Berkeley CA or St. Paul MN. I teach history and write military history - most work on the Pacific War. So this Group Build is right up my alley. I’m delighted to see Finescale’s new owners have fixed their forums - I was on several Group Builds over the years until sometime around 2020 Kalmbach simply quit supporting the forums and I was shut out. Looks like things work now.
Must say that I like the look of the entries. Very sweet Pete and Tojo. I’ll keep alert because I have several of the kits worked on here - the Kate, the Tojo, the KI-84 and a 1/48 Tamiya A6M5.
I’ve finally started my entry - the 1/48 Hasegawa Ki-43 Oscar (Late - can’t tell if it’s a II or III the differences are internal.) Nice boxart:
Boxart by Eric Bergerud, on Flickr
I don’t build for the camera, so I don’t usually blow a few hours assembling a cockpit. In this kit, more than usual, the thing is going to be invisible. But I did a minimum wage job. I dry brushed the instrument panel and used Tamiya’s thin “bendable” tape for seatbelts. The color is a combination of Golden High Flow (a terrific model paint if you don’t mind mixing your own colors) Yellow Oxide and Green Oxide. It should work because that’s about what was applied inside Japanese planes as I understand it.
cockpit1 by Eric Bergerud, on Flickr
I’m a Hasegawa liker, but not a lover. In general their kits fit well but carry some quirks. The instructions aren’t very good - some important steps aren’t well illustrated - fortunately there are some video builds on YouTube and it pays to do some serious test fitting. This kit is noted, not kindly, for putting part of the ailerons in the assembly for the wing tips. So, there’s an unnecessary seam. I’ll live with it. The fit was pretty good. There was a small seam on both top and bottom which I had to deal with. I follow Paul Budzig’s wisdom (his YouTube Channel is terrific) on using Zap a Gap on most seems - with acrylic putty if the seam is thin and regular. So here is the fuselage: the first pic shows that there is indeed a cockpit inside - that no one will see, especially as this kit does not allow for an open canopy.
cockpitinsert by Eric Bergerud, on Flickr
fuselagefront by Eric Bergerud, on Flickr
Lastly, for now, I primed the kit. I took another tip from Paul Budzig and used a very good automotive primer: Duplicolor #1698 Black Hot Rod. This brew is a lacquer primer that is both sandable and and fillable - just what the doctor ordered if you’re dealing with ghost seams or scratches. And because it’s lacquer it adheres to the plastic perfectly allowing panel line repair etc. I’ll be painting my Oscar in Natural Metal with green streaks - as suggested in the box art. The primer dries matte but that’s fine with me - I don’t want a shinny metal finish, if I did I’d loo for something with serious shine. Anyway, so far so good - I hope.
Primed by Eric Bergerud, on Flickr
Eric
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Freddie, the detail on your zero is fantastic! And out of the box?
Eric, liking your Oscar, and you are right about the box art. That alone makes me want to buy one! I’m a sucker for box art.
Greg
Great to see you back. Kit looks like its coming along nicely. Looking forward to see your finish process. Are you doing the box art? I too have this kit in the stash so following along.
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Camo looks good. Your type 61 is coming along good.
Greg
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Glad to see you back Eric!
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Great progress TJ… Glad to hear its been a nice build. 
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Canopy masking looks great. Man, you need to add something in your photos to give us a sense of scale because I keep thinking that has to be 1/48 scale. So much detail. Very cool.
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Nice progress on the F-1 TJ! Cool looking plane. Reminds me a little of the SEPECAT Jaguar.
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That looks great Peter! Nice work
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Welcome dadoffour!
I will get you added to the roster.
Looking forward to seeing your Raiden.
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Chris it definitly does.