Empire of the Rising Sun Group Build

[BlackSheep214]

I knew that was coming…. Great imitation of Lyle though…

[LyleW]

I knew that was coming…. Great imitation of Lyle though…

Gonna jump on my Rufe soon...

Just don’t jump from your Rufe

Many have tried to imitate but there is only one.

I must admit the Rufe/roof thing slipped by me at first. Old age and paint fumes, I g uess.

[Stikpusher]

So here I go (again on my own)
A new month, a new week, and a new project. I’m starting my long planned Otaki/Arii Ki-43 II, with a set of Aeromaster Decals, Yahu instrument Panel, and possibly some PE bits from this generic Japanese PE detailing set.



this is what comes in the box



Externally, as a typical Otaki/Arii kit, the detailing and shape is nice, but the cockpit needs help, and the wheel wells are barely there



So I started by drilling, grinding, and removing the too shallow wheel well ceilings… I’ll build new ones of a more appropriate depth







Then I addressed the pilot seat which has a block looking like a stack of phone books in the seat pan. Since the kit pilot figure is terrible, I won’t be using him, and I began cleaning up the seat, removing the block and drill8ng some lightening holes in the seat back.





I’ll address the hole in the seat bottom, then add a bit more detailing to the seat. There is a resin replacement seat available, but it’s’ cost and shipping is more than I paid for this kit, so no thanks…

More to come in a few days…

[keavdog]

Cool. I always liked the interesting color of ARII plastic. They were pretty nice kits for back in the day, but ya those wheel wells...
I'm thinking about starting my Frank - just can't decide on which scheme.

[BlackSheep214]

Nice subject, Stik!

[Stikpusher]

Cool. I always liked the interesting color of ARII plastic. They were pretty nice kits for back in the day, but ya those wheel wells...
I'm thinking about starting my Frank - just can't decide on which scheme.

Yeah, that blue gray plastic is pretty nice. Considering the molds are from the mid to late 70’s I think that they are nice kits and a great deal for the price. I’m looking forward to your Frank.

Nice subject, Stik!

Thanks Tom. I’ve been wanting to build this kit and kept putting it off for years…

[tempestjohnny]

I'm sure it'll look like a kit from the 90's when you're done. That seat though

[cbaltrin]

So here I go (again on my own)
A new month, a new week, and a new project. I’m starting my long planned Otaki/Arii Ki-43 II, with a set of Aeromaster Decals, Yahu instrument Panel, and possibly some PE bits from this generic Japanese PE detailing
More to come in a few days…

Good start Stik. Which marking option you doing?

[Stikpusher]

TJ, I’ve already corrected the seat. It’s not super accurate, but it’s much closer to the real think compared with what came in the box…

Chris, I’m going with a 77th Sentai aircraft out of Hollandia New Guinea in 1944. The mottled green camo over bare metal.

[cbaltrin]

I’m going with a 77th Sentai aircraft out of Hollandia New Guinea in 1944. The mottled green camo over bare metal.

That should be fun!