Of the “readily available” kits for the Kikka in 1/72, does anyone have experience with them in terms of dimensional and detail accuracy? The three that I’m looking at are the kits by MPM, Don’s Model Works, and AZ Model.
Also, I noticed in one of the “What-If” AZ Model issues is a Kikka in US test markings of stars-and-bars and stripes on the tail. I don’t know if the Kikka ever wore that scheme in reality (just know of the three yellow, green, and silver schemes for the two prototypes in Japan). Does anyone know for certain?
It’s proven challenging finding information on the subject, and I’m only interested in airframes and schemes that actually made it to reality.
Finemolds also make a kikka, probably a good kit. The mpm kit is one of their older kits. A real short run kit, thick sprue, thin/irregular panel lines, some PE etc. But can be build into a nice model. I do not know anything about the other ones but I have some recent AZ Model kits (Schelde S.21 and Fokker D-XXIII, guess what my nationality is…) and those are some nice kits. So maybe their kikka is the same.
I love jap’s, I really love 'em prototypes,
Randypandy, I wouldn’t really care if Hasegawa or Tamiya looked into it because the fine mold box is very good! I love the few of their products that they have, very detailed and they do put some love into their work. Now, I have the Finemold kit, but they do come at a price, but when you open the box you could easily mistake it for a Hasegawa or Tamiya kit.
I paid big bucks for this one, but I really like it (+ I preordered it at the store so I had to pay it lol)
I paid 40 euros, which is 50$.
Enough said, this is the box and its content. The box
Sprues
More sprues
Instructions
Jap explanation of kikka, with a couple of drawings, only a pitty that they don’t have a translated version
A bit of info about the fate of the only working prototype.
The first prototype was ready by August 1945. Lieutenant Commander Susumu Takaoka made the first flight on August 7. He made a second attempt four days later but aborted the takeoff and crashed into Tokyo Bay, tearing off the landing gear. Technicians had mounted the two takeoff-assist rockets at the wrong angle. Development of the Kikka ended four days with the Japanese surrender. Another prototype was almost ready for flight and about 25 other Kikkas sat in the Nakajima factory in various stages of assembly.
Randypandy, have to agree on that one, but than again,
it still is a prototype and there are a lot of basic kits of $50 don’t you think?
Only a shame they didn’t put those folding wings in the kit…
I forgot that I had this one, it’s a pic of the Kikka at NASM, looks like they’ve got plans for it.
Btw, Note the end of those wings for wingfold details… This actually gives me an idea for this model.
The box
Sprues
More sprues
Instructions
Jap explanation of kikka, with a couple of drawings, only a pitty that they don’t have a translated version