Fine Molds 1/48 Mitsubishi Ka-14

Post your completed aircraft here.
User avatar
jeaton01
Elite Member
Posts: 2110
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2020 9:20 am
Location: Northern California
Contact:

Fine Molds 1/48 Mitsubishi Ka-14

Post by jeaton01 »

This is Jiro Horikoshi's first design, the first prototype for the A5M Claude, as it turned out. A second prototype was built without the gull wing, and that wing made its way to the Claude. What a shame, the gull wing is so graceful. I've really enjoyed these newer Fine Molds kits, and I have another A5M on the way from Japan. It's the A5M2b version which had the closed canopy, a feature the pilots rejected out of hand and the A5M2b was usually flown without the sliding and aft sections. I have the Classic Airframes A5M4 and A5M4-K also, but I have a feeling those two are going to be a bit of a letdown after the Fine Molds kits.

The box art:
Image

Eduard seatbelts, Gunze Mr Color 126 Mitsubishi interior green.
Image

The kit gives you a flat faced instrument panel part for the decal, but I put it on the second part that had relief. The decal settled well just with MicroSol. I used Mr Color interior blue green for the magazine, much better than the acrylic I used on the A5M4. Take a good look at the pressure bottles, you'll never see them once the fuselage is assembled.
Image

Superb fit.
Image

Image

The main wheels were grooved with a Dremel tool to allow installation after final painting, same as the wheels were molded in the A5M4 kit. All the engine parts were painted on the sprue. The ignition wires were painted rust before the engine was assembled. Touch up will be needed on the cowl after assembly. Masks were made for the windscreen with the Cameo vinyl cutter.
Image

Almost a shame to put the cowl on.
Image

Image

The markings were all painted, including the propeller stripes. No unit markings, this one was a prototype only. Tamiya XF-14 is the overall color, X-7 Red for the Tail, X-1 Black for the wing tips, and Mr Color Cowling Color for the cowl.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Ka-14, A5M4, A6M2b.
Image
Last edited by jeaton01 on Sun May 10, 2020 5:54 pm, edited 2 times in total.
My modelling website, with build logs.

http://goldeneramodel.com/mymodels/mymodels.html
User avatar
LyleW
Admin
Posts: 13838
Joined: Fri Dec 13, 2013 7:25 am
Location: Mt. Washington KY

Re: Fine Molds 1/48 Mitsubishi Ka-14

Post by LyleW »

That is a real beauty. You are right ...the gull wing add a lot.
To make each build less crappy than the last one. Or, put another way, "Better than the last one, not as good as the next one!"..
User avatar
Stikpusher
Moderator
Posts: 19621
Joined: Sat Apr 05, 2014 8:37 pm
Location: Ceti Alpha 5

Re: Fine Molds 1/48 Mitsubishi Ka-14

Post by Stikpusher »

Oh that is a very graceful looking design. And also is a beautiful build John! :shoutout:
"Surely I have made my meaning plain? I intend to avenge myself upon you, Admiral. I have deprived your ship of power, and when I swing 'round, I intend to deprive you of your life."

FLSM
User avatar
Floki
Elite Member
Posts: 3656
Joined: Wed Dec 12, 2018 2:23 am
Location: Muncie, Indiana

Re: Fine Molds 1/48 Mitsubishi Ka-14

Post by Floki »

The gull wing design is very beautiful on this aircraft. You did a amazing job on it.
March as one, Don't look back
Odin's sons... Attack!
Unleash hell! Do not repent! Warfare grants us no lament
Let your weapons slash and tear This is no place for fear
Hold the lines! Move as one! In unity our victory's won
Our shields will form a mighty wall
United we shall never fall
User avatar
jeaton01
Elite Member
Posts: 2110
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2020 9:20 am
Location: Northern California
Contact:

Re: Fine Molds 1/48 Mitsubishi Ka-14

Post by jeaton01 »

Thanks, fellas, it was an enjoyable build.
My modelling website, with build logs.

http://goldeneramodel.com/mymodels/mymodels.html
User avatar
Medicman71
Elite Member
Posts: 10047
Joined: Mon Apr 07, 2014 9:32 am
Location: Houston, Tx

Re: Fine Molds 1/48 Mitsubishi Ka-14

Post by Medicman71 »

Those are all very nice!
Mike

Sponsored by Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Saab, BAE, and Dassault
User avatar
jeaton01
Elite Member
Posts: 2110
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2020 9:20 am
Location: Northern California
Contact:

Re: Fine Molds 1/48 Mitsubishi Ka-14

Post by jeaton01 »

Thanks again, Mike :bye:
My modelling website, with build logs.

http://goldeneramodel.com/mymodels/mymodels.html
User avatar
keavdog
Elite Member
Posts: 3706
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2019 1:14 am
Location: Goodyear, AZ

Re: Fine Molds 1/48 Mitsubishi Ka-14

Post by keavdog »

Great looking build John. Did you mask the red tail? Really nice. Wonder why the gull wing was chosen? Forgiving dihedral. I believe the Corsair gull wing was chosen to support that monster prop and reasonable length landing gear. I appreciate the family pics BTW. I want to start doing that.
Thanks,
John

Ain't no reason to hang my head, I could wake up in the mornin' dead.
User avatar
Stuart
Elite Member
Posts: 9752
Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2014 1:06 pm
Location: North Wales
Contact:

Re: Fine Molds 1/48 Mitsubishi Ka-14

Post by Stuart »

All three of those build look fantastic John - very nicely done.

You're right, that Gull wing adds a lot to the aircraft.
Stuart Templeton 'I may not be good but I'm slow...'

My blog: https://stuartsscalemodels.blogspot.com/
User avatar
tempestjohnny
Elite Member
Posts: 3490
Joined: Sat Oct 15, 2016 4:51 am
Location: Naples. FL

Re: Fine Molds 1/48 Mitsubishi Ka-14

Post by tempestjohnny »

Very nice. I really like the Fine Molds kits
Post Reply

Return to “Completed Builds”