MITSUBISHI Ki-46-III "DINAH"


Scale: 1/48, TAMIYA

　Tamiya has an uncanny knack for providing a superior level of detail with surprisingly few parts. I loved this feature building their George, and the Dinah might be the best example yet. No, the cockpit doesn't include all the details you'll find in those photos of the surviving example at RAF St. Athans' Museum...but to anyone who remembers the old Marusan kit of this bird, it's a wonderful representation. The control yoke, cameras, electrical panels, etc. are very crisply done, and deserve special care in painting and detailing. The visible bulkheads with their respective wiring and structural details are very convincing. Lone Star Models offers a resin cockpit that is small improvement on the kit parts and has some problems and omissions of its own; I elected not to use it. At this writing Eduard's brass is still your best bet if you wish to augment details here. The most noticeable omission are the oxygen bottles in the rear cockpit.

　The engines are magnificent examples of one piece moldings, and very accurate against photos. You've only to add the gear housings and again, give the painted cylinders a careful wash to bring out the delicate finning.

　I think Tamiya took a step up in two areas with this model: first, the surface detail is as finely wrought as Hasegawa's, it being notably finer than on Tamiya's earlier Spitfire, Wildcat, and George. And second, "Invisa-clear" decals by ScaleMaster are provided - in my mind a real improvement over Tamiya's "house decals," usually nicely printed but very thick.

　I've seen several finished models of this kit now, and the question is basically 'how well can you paint?' This kit clicks together. The clear parts fit like jewels, even attached in the closed position - impressive considering that each canopy consists of three pieces, and important since, as thin as they are, the pilot's sliding hood is still too thick to attach open without sitting way too proud of the fuselage. The good news: Falcon/ Squadron have spoiled us with a flawless vacform example that will facilitate opening up the crew stations, as used here.

　It almost goes without saying, but the landing gear looks to scale and very comprehensive, with the simple circumferential tread pattern on the tires. The wheel wells come in halves, and will take some effort to solve that seam problem if that's important to you, but their detail is also appreciated, whether standing alone or as a fine start for you pathological detailers.

　I was happy to see that the initial release of this kit seemed clearly designed for a forthcoming Ki-46-III-Kai fighter version. The forward fuselage break and the parts breakdown on the trees hinted strongly at the parts necessary: new nose, pilot's canopy, and cowl flaps. And two prop styles are already present in the kit, as well as the second set of prop spinners with the Hucks dog starter at the tip. It happened, all right, but no prizes awaited me, though I was soon allowed to buy one of them. I believe that's the next Dinah I want to do.

　I wish I could have predicted the same for the original design operated by the JAAF, the Ki-46-II; it's the model I've always waited for in quarter scale. Fundamental differences in the forward fuselage, pilot's cockpit and canopy mean that Tamiya would face considerably more expense and retooling if they were to offer the step-nosed -II. I hope ya'll will buy a lot of -IIIs so they'll come with a -II.

　The markings on this one were all done with paint, the reference being a side view in Model Art #323 (caption kindly translated by Mr Kiyoshi Nakatsuka) and two distant photos in the January 1993 FAOW from Japan. A -III Dinah in overall grey-green is a bit of a rara avis. All paint used was by Tamiya. The model was built to represent a factory fresh a/c just delivered to the 17th Chutai. Details follow, though a far from complete list of what could be done to improve or modify this kit.

Pilot's Cockpit: pilot's port throttle and mixture control completely replaced; both "quadrants" are scratchbuilt. Pilot's right side details similarly redone for better scale effect and accuracy. On both sides of the front cockpit several details / wiring were altered or added per photos. The cockpits were done before the Eduard brass set was issued.

Observer's Cockpit: New rear cockpit floor made (kit's is not full span), camera and radio details reworked in brass, plastic, and sprue. Forward bulkhead of the rear cockpit and sidewalls have much plumbing added, including the oxygen routing system on starboard side.

Canopies: Squadron's vacform canopies used in conjunction w/ kit's, w/ grabs and latches added from brass.

Engines: Additional detail to engines include oil drain lines between outer ends of each cylinders, and harness wiring for all cylinders. The separate thrust exhausts were carefully drilled out at ends.
With exception of the cowlings, all the riveting is done by hand per Maru Mechanic drawings, including all underside surfaces.

Wheel wells reworked by adding fore and aft bulkheads omitted from kit, along with their structure and details; adding plumbing and small details, and 2 pieces of the Eduard brass set.

Landing gear: tires sanded flat for illusion of weight; photos show no noticeable bulge however, so this omitted; landing gear legs dressed up with brake line, additional retraction mechanisms, brake drums added to wheels hubs.

Nose landing light faired to contour, and repolished in an attempt to capture its integral look.

Stainless steel hypo tubing pitot replacement made. as was the pitot cover often used for this delicate instrument. Streamers added as per a photo of an 18th Sentai Dinah.

Clear windows replaced w/ clear stock; Antenna post cut down and aerial strung.


To sum up, buy it and build it! Swallow your American pride and fork over the yen! rd.

Mark Smith