- Thread starter
- #41
BOBO
Airman
Watch out – ACCIDENT: anything can happen. I swept the model off the table with my big backside and caught it with open hands.
Fifteen minutes later, everything is back on track: the lubricant and fuel filler caps are now on the fuselage, the port and starboard navigation lights are on the wings, and the standard gunsight is in the cockpit. I've repositioned the upward-firing gun (the fairing panel beneath the cockpit), and the propeller assembly—including the spinner and cooling fan—is also finished. I'm still struggling with the upward-firing gun's sight, though, as there are no drawings or good photos available.
A summary so far:
Building the model is fairly straightforward, though there are many small details to correct or add—a task that becomes more daunting once you realize where all the potential pitfalls lie. Assembling the wing and fuselage presents some tricky moments (especially the gull-wing section!). The propeller is also problematic; it looks like a hybrid between the standard type and the high-speed version.
You have to cut the cockpit canopy in two—as done here—to properly detail features like the grab handles and the reflector sight.
The Tamiya kit is excellent for simple conversions, but for the J2M3 and J2M5 versions, I would always prefer the Hasegawa model.
The decals are very good and sufficient in number.
Applying a final clear coat is highly recommended, as the decals—sourced from a mix of different manufacturers—vary in their level of sheen.
Fifteen minutes later, everything is back on track: the lubricant and fuel filler caps are now on the fuselage, the port and starboard navigation lights are on the wings, and the standard gunsight is in the cockpit. I've repositioned the upward-firing gun (the fairing panel beneath the cockpit), and the propeller assembly—including the spinner and cooling fan—is also finished. I'm still struggling with the upward-firing gun's sight, though, as there are no drawings or good photos available.
A summary so far:
Building the model is fairly straightforward, though there are many small details to correct or add—a task that becomes more daunting once you realize where all the potential pitfalls lie. Assembling the wing and fuselage presents some tricky moments (especially the gull-wing section!). The propeller is also problematic; it looks like a hybrid between the standard type and the high-speed version.
You have to cut the cockpit canopy in two—as done here—to properly detail features like the grab handles and the reflector sight.
The Tamiya kit is excellent for simple conversions, but for the J2M3 and J2M5 versions, I would always prefer the Hasegawa model.
The decals are very good and sufficient in number.
Applying a final clear coat is highly recommended, as the decals—sourced from a mix of different manufacturers—vary in their level of sheen.
