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Playing in the Sandbox Group Build Sept 1, 2024 - Jn 1, 2025

Zoukei-Mura Ki-45


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I'm seeing too many Kotare Spitfires being built. I've decided to put mine away until my back heals well enough to focus on detail painting. I picked up the Z-M Nick from a fellow club member just before Christmas... The plan is to build it (mostly) OOB. The kit, as received, came with the Z-M cockpit PE set, so I'll be using that. I've a fondness for upward firing cannons, so the scheme I'll be building is the late production Kai Tei version. The kit comes with a boatload of clear plastic; almost a full airframe. Give me the opaque styrene, please.

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I've always been an "engines first, then internals" kind of guy, but I'm switching modes for this build.

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Cockpit color is Mr. Color C384 Kawasaki cockpit color. To my eye, it's a great match to the colored PE bits.

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I've always liked the Nick as it's a cool looking airplane (so is the Frances). I built a 1/48 Nichimo kit something like 25 years ago and still have it. Your model, I'm sure, will be a beauty Bill! :)

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8 hours ago, KevinM said:

So their is about four of us who have this one in the stash it seems.I will be following along to see were if any hiccups occur Bill.;)

Make that five , a fine looking aircraft.

Cheers

Dennis

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So far, the fit has been excellent. This is the PE instrument panel; I'm thinking a drop of future on the dial faces will be in order.

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And the radio box. More PE.

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Rear gunner's station. I still nave to finish the seat.

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View from the front. Still some detailing to do on the seat, side consoles and stick.

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Coming soon will be fitting all this into the fuselage halves. ZM provides multiple warnings about test fitting. We'll see how it goes.

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3 minutes ago, KevinM said:

Nice work Bill when I do mine I think I will go the 3D route with Quintas if they make it.;)

Unfortunately, Quinta Studios doesn't make a set for the Ki-45 (or I would have bought it). Yahu makes a panel for this kit.

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7 hours ago, DocRob said:

Interior is looking nice Bill. Which livery have you chosen for yours, plain green or camo?

 Cheers Rob

Thanks, Rob. According to the instruction booklet, the upward firing cannons are for the green (boring) paint scheme. I thought I saw a photo posted by Martin (who else) that had the dark "streaks" over aluminum. I like that paint job, even though it may be challenging.

5 hours ago, BlrwestSiR said:

The interior and IP both look great Bill. Are you going to weather them a bit or leave them as is?

Carl, if I do any weathering, it will probably be minimal. I've always been partial to the "factory fresh" look. Or maybe I suck at weathering...

2 hours ago, Peterpools said:

Bill

Nice work on the interior - looking mighty good. Just can't beat Quinta 3D sets.

Thank you, Peter - but there is no 3D printed detail available for this kit. I'm using photoetch (by Eduard, but marketed through Z-M). I'm not a big fan of their pre-painted stuff, the pebbled texture doesn't look right when you get up close. When I got the kit, it came with the PE, so I'm using it.

 

 

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Bill

I surely had a senior moment (more then I care to count these days). Why I wrote Quinta, I have no idea, as your text and photos clearly showed PE. Looks even better now, as PE is a lot hard to work then 3D resin details.

   

 

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Some progress:

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So far, the fit on this kit has been phenomenal.  I've started on the landing gear; I'm waiting for a few bits to dry prior to installing the IP and control stick. Once I paint the lap belts, the seats will be ready to go as well. Then, it's time to button up the fuselage.

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