Luftys Japanese Contribution. Aichi D3A1 Val

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
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Hi all, i said to Frank that everyone was building Jap planes and Lo and Behold, heres mine. It was bought by my friend (And Armor forums Satan, Big E) as an impromptu 2 man GB. Hes new to modelling and wanted to do something that he could compare his skills (Considerable, ive seen his work) to my efforts. Well mines done and i dont think he’s opened the box yet LOL. What sort of an excuse is have a new baby, I ask ya’s. I cut the wingtips off as there appeared to be cutlines on the wings. I havent a clue what the insides would look like so i scratched it to look good in my eyes.

Anyhoo’s heres the pics. I havent a clue about Japanese colours etc. Im going off the box instructions and some stuff off of a jap plane website, that escapes me now.

The decals were an execise in patience. Very thin and reasonable for an early revell kit but the rear yellow and blue striped affair on the fuz was a one piece and took some time. All in all im quite happy with the results. Comments, good and bad welcome.

…Guy

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Very nice! Great job on the weathering, very realistic without being over the top.

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Excellent work Guy. I did the same scheme from the Hasegawa kit. Yours is better with the weathering. Nice work on the wingtips too.

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I think it’s a great job, Guy![tup] Nice to see a Val in green. All your attention to detail is evident…and the paint/weathering is fab!

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Hi Lufty!

Great-looking kit, interesting and an uncommon topic. I particularly like the weathering! [bow]

For interest’s sake, what kit is that? Who’s the manufacturer? And is that 1/48 scale?

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Fantastic work fella! The subtle weathering looks just right to me, worn but not over the top. You’ve really pushed your skills with this one, top marks!

A couple of questions for you. The red stripes on the prop blades, should they be closer to the tips? Doesn’t look like they quite reach the edges of the blades. Also, is the canopy painted a different color, or is it just my eyes? Looks different in a couple of the photos but the same in others. Maybe I just need a stronger Optivisor lens…[8-]

Overall, a stunning build. Now I gotta get off of my [censored] and finish my Zero!

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Lufty Great build everything is top notch

Jason

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Well done, Guy! Way to broaden your horizons on this one. The only thing that’s got me worried is the trend I’m seeing: friends with the Armour Satan, building on Axis aircraft…etc. (just kidding by the way. sometimes it’s hard to tell on a forum)

Seriously, well done, friend. What’s next? Are you going back to German aircraft?

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Nicely done Guy [tup]. Thanks for sharing.

Regards, Rick

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[bow]Bugger![bow]

The Armour Forum Satan!

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Hello Luftwoller,

That is a sharp looking aircraft. The decal work is very nice, and the weathering bring it all together very nicely. Well Done. When I looked at the first pic, I thought the glass table top was water. Would make for a great backdrop for a carrier deck photo. Just an observation.

Nice work on the Aichi,

Best Regards,

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Very nice work lufty. the weathering is top notch, very realistic looking. I really like the look of it. Are the tails stripes painted on or decals? If thoseare decals they went down great.

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Wow Guy youve captured the look beautifully with that one,thats just the way i would have done it if i could do planes[tup]

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Impressive as always Guy! The weathering is spot on. i have the same question as Frank though the canopy framing appears to be a much lighter color? Still an impresive build. I have had the itch to build either a Val or a Kate for the last two months. Actually i have been watching eBay to see if i can pick one up for a good price as i have no good reason to add yet another kit tho the stash unless it is because it is a good deal or discontinued. Seeing yours may have just inspired me to finally grab one.

Whats with a tread head posting in our forum! Who let him in here! Just kidding. I love my German WWII armor also.

Soulcrushe

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Wow guys, what can i say. Im overwhelmed by your responses.

Jeff, thx fella

John, I believed that the Hasa kit was a re-boxing of the revell kit. But once again, im probably talking out of my a**e. LOL Thx about the wingtips. I was seriously wondering wether to do em or not. Space was the kicker. I dont have enough, so clipped wings suited.

Namrednef, thankyou, always good to have your opinion.

Yura, The kit is Revell and it is 1/48th. Its a great kit with loads of good detail. I give the kit 8 out of 10. If the plastic had been any colour other than green id have given it 9 out of 10.

Frank, Glad you liked it, I enjoyed building it, thats for sure. As for the prop decals. Yes, they should have been a little closer. The red of the stripes should have gone right to the edge. The cockpit is painted the same colour as the rest its just i didnt hit it with the ‘Clear’ before taking the masks off. Schoolboy error i know. Ill try and rectify and post a pic of the rework.

Jason, thx buddy.

Your Highness, [bow] BEWARE the Armor SATAN, hes evil. But his missus makes a cracking cup of tea, Build axis stuff, me?, Im always building axis stuff. Im feeling a bit off when something allied turns up in my stash LOL. Thats said i may join the Halftrack GB for my next project. I do have a TBM avenger beconning me with sweet nothings. OOh decisions decisions.

Rick, thx mate.

Big E, BACK FOUL SPOT, BEGONE TO YOUR DARKEST MODELLING HOLE. Get on with your Val. And if your a very good Beelzebub, we’ll be gentle with your effort.

Mobious, cheers. I see what you mean about the glass table top. I took those pics at 8.30 this morning, in my pants and it was freezing. The things we do for our art LOL.

Stan, Thank you. Yes the stripes at the back are decals. All the Hinomonmanomaru’s were painted. Rude not too, theyre round and red for Gods sake.

Andy, cheers bud, its coming to our model meet next wednesday.

SC, what are you doing here? Havent you got a BoB subject to finish? As for Bodge appearing here, I had to beg him to post something nice. LOL.

Cheers all. I love you all in a manly special way.

…Guy

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Wow sorry I’m late! Been so worn out don’t know whether it’s time to eat or use the bathroom!

Outstanding Val Guy! The folding wings are an excellent touch! That’s the Reveill kit Big E challenged you too? All I can say is the pressures on! I have an unbuilt Hasegawa kit that has those same markings. Built a few of the older Fujimi ones. ( Like ten) Are those Pearl Harbor Markings? Did they include any history with it? Just asking cuz as you know Hasegawa dooesn’t have much to say historically about it.

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Where have you bin man, I was waiting LOL. As for the markings, Im not really sure to be honest. The destructions just give a general biog of the Val. I have an old ‘Aircraft of WW2’ book that has pics of the Val in the Blue-grey colour that was apparantly the Pearl Harbor markings. The green might have been Pearl Harbor colourings too, but im not really sure.

Glad you liked it Aaron.

…Guy

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Now that’s an awfully impressive build! I really love the weathering job- especially the “worn paint” look! If I didn’t know better, it actually looks like it belongs on an island out in the south pacific! Very well done![bow][bow][bow]

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Stunning work on this one. Excellent weathering skills are on display here, and the color scheme you chose is one of my favorites. Wonderful model…display it proudly! [tup]

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Awesome job. [tup]