dai phan Posted October 24, 2023 Share Posted October 24, 2023 (edited) Greetings, After 3 latest builds of non Tamiya, I am itching to have that perfect fit build again. Hence my new project to be started this weekend. Dai Edited October 24, 2023 by dai phan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted October 24, 2023 Author Share Posted October 24, 2023 Hi all, I was wondering what kit to build as I also have the Accurate Miniature kit. But after I look at the parts and engineering of both kits, my choice is clear. Here is a comparison on Hyper Scale. Dai https://hyperscale.com/2012/features/il2amtamiyacomparison48bg_1.htm Quote Link to post Share on other sites
falcon74 Posted October 25, 2023 Share Posted October 25, 2023 I have built both and definitely Tamiya all the way! Have fun with it as this kit is another Tamiya winner! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted October 25, 2023 Author Share Posted October 25, 2023 (edited) Hi all, Ready to start. You can tell I have had this kit for a long time! Dai Edited October 26, 2023 by dai phan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted October 28, 2023 Author Share Posted October 28, 2023 (edited) Hello all, The fit and engineering is fantastic. Every time I build Tamiya kit, everything goes so well and so fast. I went out of my norm by using kit's decals for the instrument panels. Dai Edited October 29, 2023 by dai phan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted October 29, 2023 Author Share Posted October 29, 2023 (edited) Howdy, The plane is now ready for priming and sanding in which I am sure will be minimal. Again I am just marveled at the wings and fuselage engineering and fit. Very complex assembly but the fit is perfect. I cannot tell the difference between the joint lines and panel lines. Dai Edited November 29, 2023 by dai phan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted October 29, 2023 Author Share Posted October 29, 2023 One thing about this project is the limited decals offerings. I am looking for the VVS scheme different than the box but there are not many out there. All have the similiar 3 tone camo scheme. Anyone knows anything available please let me know. Dai Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted October 30, 2023 Author Share Posted October 30, 2023 (edited) Greetings, The plane is now ready for the paint job and decals. I ordered some decals that are different than the usual 3 tone camo as seen on the box art. Will do some research to make sure they are correct. I have to make the sure the scheme I choose is the M3 (sweep wing) rather than straight wing 2 seater. That brings me to let you guys/gals know that Hasegawa and Tamiya produced both 1/48 Ki-61 and H is short nose and T is long nose. Check the decal reference to make sure it is the right version you are modelling. You can see that build here on ARC. Dai Edited October 30, 2023 by dai phan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lgl007 Posted November 1, 2023 Share Posted November 1, 2023 Looking fantastic! -Greg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted November 2, 2023 Author Share Posted November 2, 2023 First set of decals have arrived. Dai Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted November 4, 2023 Author Share Posted November 4, 2023 Hi all, Everything has arrived. Will start painting today. Dai Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted November 4, 2023 Author Share Posted November 4, 2023 Hi all, An excellent reference for the IL2. Unfortunately I could not locate the references to the 2 potential schemes that I want to do. The winter white and all green AMT-4 machines. Dai Il-2 Shturmovik (massimotessitori.altervista.org) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted November 6, 2023 Author Share Posted November 6, 2023 (edited) Greetings, Painted the AMT-7 blue from MRP. The paint went on smoothly and did not require as many coatings as expected from my previous MRP experience. I am contemplating either the all white or all green scheme. The all white scheme is from Accurate Miniature and the green is from Foxbot decals. I was unable to find an online reference to either of these schemes. I want to make sure they are for the sweep wing and not the straight wing version. Well looks like I have to trust the decal sources. Dai Edited November 6, 2023 by dai phan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted November 11, 2023 Author Share Posted November 11, 2023 (edited) Hello all, Painted the airframe. The Hataka AMT-7 ( lacquer) has very poor bonding to the clear plastic so I primed with Mr Color first then go with the paint. Without being primed, the paint will lift off as you try to remove the masks. One bad thing about Tamiya's engineering is the clam shell canopy assembly. As on the 109 and here, there are two large unscale pegs that are cemented onto the fuselage. Certainly Tamiya can engineer this much better than these 2 unscale, awful slugs. Dai Edited November 11, 2023 by dai phan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted November 11, 2023 Author Share Posted November 11, 2023 (edited) Regarding the pegs, I will have to sand them off and carefully CA in the canopy. These are just unacceptable in this level of a kit. Dai Edited November 11, 2023 by dai phan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted November 19, 2023 Author Share Posted November 19, 2023 (edited) Hi all, Applied the decals. I really think this scheme is not correct because I have yet to see a two seater with single color through photos or illustrations on the Net. Single color I have seen is for the single seater and post war export models. But since I have no proof, I went ahead with this scheme. The Foxbot decals are very thin but strong. It does not respond to Mark Fit or Microsol but alone as is, it adapts well the panel lines and no solution is needed. I use the Quinta Studio seat belts (included with the cockpit set ) and I really like it. They feel like real leather belts and look very realistic. With this, PE seat belts are really outdated. The right side slogan is purely speculative as no illustration is given on this side. Next will be sealing the decals and weathering. Dai Edited November 19, 2023 by dai phan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted November 20, 2023 Author Share Posted November 20, 2023 (edited) Hello all, Applied the wash and next will be the chips and dings. I replaced the "aiming guide " decal on the top fuselage with the Accurate Miniature one as the width is much more scale than Foxbot's offering. Tamiya's offering is the best but I did not use as it is way too thick. The wash really brings out fantastic surface details of this kit. Dai Edited November 20, 2023 by dai phan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted November 20, 2023 Author Share Posted November 20, 2023 (edited) Greetings, On my research I have came across some IL2 photos with the slogan "The workers of Ivanono" on the fuse as depicted on my build. Although the illustration shows multi camo IL 2 with #11 (mine is 7), there is a picture that shows single color ones. That mean perhaps #7 has all green overall color? Dai Edited November 20, 2023 by dai phan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lgl007 Posted November 20, 2023 Share Posted November 20, 2023 Awesome work Dai. Very clean build with great attention to detail! Just lovely 🙂 -Greg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted November 21, 2023 Author Share Posted November 21, 2023 (edited) Howdy all, Tried to use AK Weathering Pencil to add chips and dings. It is an exercise of frustration. The pigments do not stay on the model and all they do is leaving streaks and marks. I have to press hard to get any pigments on and a gentle blow will blow everything off. Many reviews on the Net states this product does not work and recommend using Prisma Color instead. I will remove all that I applied and use a different pencil set. Any advise is welcomed. Dai Edited November 30, 2023 by dai phan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chukw Posted November 21, 2023 Share Posted November 21, 2023 (edited) Check your other thread about the pencils. https://www.instagram.com/p/CzV9PPRtxB8/ https://www.instagram.com/p/CzV1UaPtgFW/ Edited November 21, 2023 by chukw Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted November 22, 2023 Author Share Posted November 22, 2023 (edited) Hi all, I found this informative article on pencil weathering and I bought the Prisma Soft Core Pencils as advised from the author. I can tell you from a perspective of an average modeler is this pencil is vastly superior to AK's. The pigment goes on easy and stays on. Plus it is under 2 USD per pen that is much cheaper than AK. The PC 1059 (10% Cool Grey) offers a very strong contrast for chipping appropriate for weathering of Japanese planes in the Pacific. In fact this pencil PC 1059 is my go to when duplicating chips and scratches. Since the pigments go on easy, just lightly drag the tip across the surface and you will have realistic scratches. I really hate to say negative thing about a brand but save your money and get the Prisma pencils instead. Dai Paint Chipping Made Easy: Prismacolor Pencils – Jon Bius Scale Models Edited November 22, 2023 by dai phan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RichB63 Posted November 22, 2023 Share Posted November 22, 2023 (edited) Dai, Thanks for your appraisal of the pencils…very helpful. And the model looks really cool. You’ve been a prolific builder of late! Rich Edited November 22, 2023 by RichB63 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted November 22, 2023 Author Share Posted November 22, 2023 15 hours ago, chukw said: Check your other thread about the pencils. https://www.instagram.com/p/CzV9PPRtxB8/ https://www.instagram.com/p/CzV1UaPtgFW/ The video shows how to duplicate streaks using AK pencil and water. I have tried that method and works well but I prefer oil as it works better in my hands. My original concern was creating chips and dings and AK pencil just does not deliver. Dai Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted November 23, 2023 Author Share Posted November 23, 2023 (edited) Greetings to all, The project is completed. This has been a quick project due to excellent engineering and fit. PROS: 1. Excellent enginering and fit as usual with Tamiya. 2. Open or closed canopies. 3. Detailed cockpit and wheel wells. 4. Choices of underwing stores. CONS: 1. Thick decals. 2. Comical use of decal seat belts. 3.Tail balancing weight is molded in. Prone to breakage during assembly. 4. Landing gears must be assembled before painting. Prone to breakage during sanding and painting. 5. Awful pegs on the rear canopy. I removed this mounting mechanism and used white glue to cement the rear canopy. The Foxbot decals are thin, strong but do not respond to setting solution. There is no need for solution as the decals settled really well into the panel lines. Dai Edited November 28, 2023 by dai phan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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