Ian M's NakaJima A6M2-N Type 2 Fighter (Rufe). Tamiya 1/48

[Ian M]

We as the Pete went so quick I have loads of time to cobble this one together.




An older but typical Tamiya. OK detail and crisply moulded. And the frames on the canopies are actually raised enough to be findable under masking tape!


Not the largest of aircraft, but then the pilots where not exactly big either...

A bit of flash to deal with but not much.


Bit extra flash on this frame.

The usual Tamiya Decals. However they don't look that thick. By the time they have soaked up some water.... who knows.

LOL Huston; we have a problem.... Fortunately I have already downloaded a pdf of the English version.

I build start this one tomorrow. Maybe. Its going to be a wet day today. Much needed though we hit 30c here yesterday.

[papa 695]

Nice

[Jim R]

Looks interesting Ian. There's something about float planes

[Ian M]

Looks interesting Ian. There's something float planes

I rather like them as well. I have a couple already in 1/48 the Airfix Walrus and the Tamiya Swordfish. Both very good to build. The Airfix every bit as good as the Tamiya!

[Ian M]

One thing about this kit. Not a great deal to it...60 parts?
In an attempt to slow it down I have cut all the control surfaces free so they can be posed.

Been cleaning and fettling and even re-scribed the main float.

I might be wrong but I might have found why kamikaze started.
If I had to sit in this:

I think I would fly into a ship as well.
That is AK Airs take on that wonderful coating the Japanese used . It is though not clear. Others I have seen have to be put down over an aluminium base coat. Not this one, just shake and spray.
Not sure I will be buying more AK paints. Not a fan.

[Ian M]

Got the cock pit in and the fuselage buttoned up. Now that needs to cure up befor I start sanding. It is an older kit and that shows in the simplicity, low parts count and the not as accurate fit you expect from Tamiya. Wings, fuselage floats all need a fettle. Most abnormal for Tamiya. Any how:

While the fuselage sets up I cut out the wedges for the wing tip lights and have glued a bit of shaped clear sprue in. That will need to be very well stuck in as it is going to be sanded to shape in the wing....


So now I HAVE to slow down lol.
Hmm what to do...?

[Ian M]

Well yesterday was rain with rain on top. Started with a rather wet cat at 4AM demanding room service. At 4:30 a real belter of a thunderstorm rolled in and it was a good one!
Spent the day fettling and gluing the wings on. Quite a good fit actually. A small gap at the back of the underside in the main wing.
A large part of the day went by with masking the canopy! Yikes. that was fun...
Apparently the photographer had the day off yesterday. and no photos! Disgraceful! I know!

Today I threw some paint at it. Persevering with the AK real colours. I might as well as they where bought for these to Japanese aircraft.
They are not to bad and I am figuring them out, Its just getting the right ratio of Paint to Thinners. 50/50 is almost there. 45/55 is to thin. lol.
Anyhow the pictures.



Photos in the evening are soooo hard in my room. The lights cast way to many shadows. Perfect for a modelling room....NOT
The paint is AK's real colours 302 IJN J3 Hia-Iro grey.
No pre-shade or post shade its all the same colour, painted one panel at a time. more paint in the middle less at the edges. Letting the pigment load carry it!
Being a light colour I guess I'll have to do a bit of soot/oil by the engine and M/G ports....
Comments welcome as always.

[JR]

Interested to see how you dislike the AK real colours Ian .I've a pot of their 4 BO and a bottle of thinners . Mix noted , thank you .

[Ian M]

Interested to see how you dislike the AK real colours

The paints are not that bad, its a case of learning them. But I will be sticking with Model Air for the most part. I could not get the right colours when I ordered the two aircraft.
The Tamiya rattles are for a coming project...

[The Smythe Meister]

Blimey I have missed a lot this week, haven't seen your "Pete" yet,and you've already got stuck into this one!!:dizzy:
Nice start though,the dash looks good.... although,as you say,the fit issues are indeed unusual for Tamiya:thinking:.
Good stuff to watch Ian.... I'm now off to track down your completed "Pete":thumb2:

[Ian M]

Good stuff to watch Ian.... I'm now off to track down your completed "Pete":thumb2:

Whoa steady. Not taken the photos yet. lol

[Ian M]

I've a pot of their 4 BO and a bottle of thinners . Mix noted , thank you .

I was over thinned as I said and I went a bit thin as it was being pushed through a 0.2 tip. so have a play.

[Ian M]

Ta Daaaaaaaaa!

Need to fit the bombs... then its Decals and maybe a bit of weathering. Oh and paint the nav lights on the wing tips...
I would like to say that this is the most basic Tamiya kit I have built. I have built better Airfix kits! No dis to Airfix, their kits are now very good. I used more time cutting the control surfaces of and masking the canopy than I did building the rest of the model!

I could be tempted by the new Eduard if/when it comes out as a single boxing. Not sure I get the thought behind the Duo thing.

[Ian M]

Sorry I got a bit distracted by things. I can however report that the finished build is ready for inspection here:

https://www.scale-models.co.uk/threads/ian-ms-nakajima-a6m2-n-type-2-rufe.42177/

Thanks for dropping by.

A good GB as well Andy!

[The Smythe Meister]

Sorry I got a bit distracted by things. I can however report that the finished build is ready for inspection here:

https://www.scale-models.co.uk/threads/ian-ms-nakajima-a6m2-n-type-2-rufe.42177/

Thanks for dropping by.

A good GB as well Andy!

Thanks Ian, it's been good fun with some cracking builds:smiling4:
I'll check out your RUFE dreckly:thumb2:.

---