NAKAJIMA Ki-43 II "HAYABUSA"
by DAN SALAMONE
| This is the 1/48 Fine Molds KI-43II kit, in the markings of
the Manchoukuo Air Force. The model is probably the most
accurate model of the Hayabusa in 1/48, capturing the correct
outline of the aircraft. However, the fit of the wings to
fuselage is poor, and if building an NMF subject. requires
many extra hours of fitting, filling, sanding, and polishing
to prepare for paint. I used Mr. Surfacer 1000 as a primer, sanded to a shine with Micromesh sanding cloths. I then sprayed Floquil Old Silver, and sanded this with the same cloths, up to 8000 grit. While very bright- I sanded too much and in some areas you could see primer underneath. So, I sprayed again with Alclad II Duraluminum, and masked a few panels on the wings and fuselage, and sprayed a mix of Duraluminum and Aluminum. I mixed 25 drops of the former, with 5 drops of the latter to get a subtle difference. So subtle in fact, under some lighting you can barely see the difference. I prefer that to some models that appear to be built of a different metal with each panel, however. Again, I wet sanded with 6000 and 8000 grit Micromesh. I sprayed Testors Metalizer Sealer as a clear coat, and it hardly reduced the shine of the Alclad. This is a fantastic, and quick drying, alternative to conventional clear coats. The cloth fabric surfaces are a Gunze acrylic mix, 50 drops H335 to 15 drops white. Yellow IFF is Tamiya acrylic mix of yellow with a drop of red, the anti-glare is Tamiya Nato Black. The gear leg doors are aotake, mixed from Tamiya clear blue and green, along with a drop of Tamiya silver added for a metallic look. Finally, the prop and spinner are Gunze Mr. Color #131 lacquer. I used the kit decals, they went down very well with the help of Mr. Mark Softer. The tail stripes are white paint, with dark blue decal cut to 2mm strips. Weathering was kept light, an oil wash, and exhaust and some dirty spots are Tamiya Smoke applied with my Iwata HP-C. Dan Salamone |
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