Hey folks,
Here's my rendition of the 1/72 Airfix KI-46 Shiki "Dinah" of the 81st Hiko Sentai, 1st Chutai, Malaya, circa 1945. Wiki reference here>
It's a 1966 mould but re-issued with a new box and decals. As it's an Airfix kit, it comes with minimal details but leaves lots of potential for creative work. Being a recon aircraft, she doesn't have much on teeth and claws, but she does have beautiful lines. I basically kept it as simple as possible with minimal modifications.
1) Re-scribed panel lines;
2) Added details for the cockpit;
3) Added details and modifications on the spinners, new props, engine and engine housing details;
4) Added details on the main landing gear and landing gear doors;
5) Replaced the clear parts for the camera windows and landing lights with thick clear plastic;
6) New aerial antenna mast and added aerial wire with fishing line;
A war weary and weathered look was implemented to it to give it a unique character.
Paints were Mr Hobby acrylics, Humbrol Maskol to replicate the fuselage paint chipping, Tamiya Panel Line Accent Color and Mr Hobby Weathering Pastels to finish it off. The original decals were thin and crisp and came on easily with help from little Mr Hobby Mark Softer. The canopy masking was actually the most tedious part of this build.
Not an all too bad for a kit mould that's older than me. Highly recommended for 1/72 scale WW2 aircraft guys out there.
More images of this build here...
Here's my rendition of the 1/72 Airfix KI-46 Shiki "Dinah" of the 81st Hiko Sentai, 1st Chutai, Malaya, circa 1945. Wiki reference here>
It's a 1966 mould but re-issued with a new box and decals. As it's an Airfix kit, it comes with minimal details but leaves lots of potential for creative work. Being a recon aircraft, she doesn't have much on teeth and claws, but she does have beautiful lines. I basically kept it as simple as possible with minimal modifications.
1) Re-scribed panel lines;
2) Added details for the cockpit;
3) Added details and modifications on the spinners, new props, engine and engine housing details;
4) Added details on the main landing gear and landing gear doors;
5) Replaced the clear parts for the camera windows and landing lights with thick clear plastic;
6) New aerial antenna mast and added aerial wire with fishing line;
A war weary and weathered look was implemented to it to give it a unique character.
Paints were Mr Hobby acrylics, Humbrol Maskol to replicate the fuselage paint chipping, Tamiya Panel Line Accent Color and Mr Hobby Weathering Pastels to finish it off. The original decals were thin and crisp and came on easily with help from little Mr Hobby Mark Softer. The canopy masking was actually the most tedious part of this build.
Not an all too bad for a kit mould that's older than me. Highly recommended for 1/72 scale WW2 aircraft guys out there.
More images of this build here...
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looking quite authentic, might you have any build or closer up picture shots?
