Jeff's Zuikaku Val***Finished***

Runs: November 1st to December 6th
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jssel
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Jeff's Zuikaku Val***Finished***

Post by jssel »

User Name: jssel
First Name: Jeff
Manufacture: Fujimi
Scale: 1/48 (1/50)
Model Type: Japanese Navy D3A1 type 99 "Val"

IJN Kuikaku. 7DEC41 (US time)

Box Art:

Image

What is inside:

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Opps........can we say Google Translator:

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Decals:

Image

Enough for three. Two from the Pearl Harbor attack.

The kit is nicely scribed, farily well detailed and good clear parts.

I will be off and running shortly.
Besting 60 years of mediocre building of average kits in the stand off scale
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jssel
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Re: Jeff's Zuikaku Val

Post by jssel »

An old Scale Modeler Magazine stated it was a very good build and likeness.
Besting 60 years of mediocre building of average kits in the stand off scale
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Re: Jeff's Zuikaku Val

Post by jssel »

After surveying the kit and taping together some big pieces work started with the cockpit.

The sidewalls are bare so I began laying in some formers and stringers to jazz it up a little. This shot shows the bare part and the fuselage half above shows some interior work.

Image

This picture is an overview of the innards. Not to bad for the age. The three disks in the picture will end up being ammo magazines for the gunner. The engine comes in four pieces and is pretty nice all and all.

Image
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Dirkpitt289
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Re: Jeff's Zuikaku Val

Post by Dirkpitt289 »

It looks like a nice kit and I have no doubt you'll do a fantastic job. Nice start. Can't wait to see more.
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Re: Jeff's Zuikaku Val

Post by jssel »

I wanted everyone to see just how big this kit is in 1/48. I have taped together the main pieces and using both a ruler and "Sumo Pilot" you can see it is a rather large airplane. It did have folding wingtips for carrier use.

Image

Went to work on the engine today. Very nice for how old the kit is. Testors Steel with a black wash. Crankcase is Testors 1138 Gloss Grey.

Image

Adding stringers in the cockpit area also today and a few more details not provided for in the kit.
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Re: Jeff's Zuikaku Val

Post by Dirkpitt289 »

Looks like a big one
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Re: Jeff's Zuikaku Val

Post by jssel »

Interior painting tonight.

Here is the interior after I cobbled together some innards.

Image

Now I can take or leave pre-shading but I do think it lends itself to larger scale subjects and only if done with an easy touch.

Image

Finally a homebrew mix of Khaki and Green for the interior color.

Image

Details will get their colors and finally some dry brushing to tidy things up.
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Re: Jeff's Zuikaku Val

Post by Dirkpitt289 »

Looking good so far. I like the home brew for the interior color.
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Re: Jeff's Zuikaku Val

Post by jssel »

Thanks for that Brews. Will be easy to change at this point. I don't think Tamiya strays to far from accuracy.
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Re: Jeff's Zuikaku Val

Post by jssel »

Seems a Google photo search shows Sakae 11's and 12's with dull aluminum and the 21's in gray. But there is not much out there that isn't restorations. That Zeke looks terrific Brews.

Like I say, there is a little time before I mount it.
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Re: Jeff's Zuikaku Val

Post by jssel »

Final painting and drybrushing have been done this morning. It's not much but is an improvement over the bare walls provided from the kit. It is not a direct match to real Val's but enough gizmology to look OK.

Image

Dry fit of the fuselage halves shows that you can just make out the interior of the wing assembly on each side of the cockpit floor. So interior paint was sprayed on the blend it in.

Image

There are a couple of really nice instrument panels provided that needed a little drybrushing and Future for the bezels. The large panel in front the partial panel for the gunner in the rear.

Image

So now I may have the time today to do some real building and get it all together.
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Re: Jeff's Zuikaku Val

Post by Dirkpitt289 »

This is looking good so far. I like this.
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Re: Jeff's Zuikaku Val

Post by Molly-new »

Brews wrote:So, boys and girls, now you know how the inside of your Airfix Val should look. :)

Great work, Jeff.
And how very nice it looks too.
Airfix WWII Aircraft Of The Aces.
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Re: Jeff's Zuikaku Val

Post by jssel »

OMG, thanks guys.
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Re: Jeff's Zuikaku Val

Post by jssel »

The last update failed to show the harnesses on the seats. From what references I have the Japanese used mostly lap belts with an occassional single shoulder belt.

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Here is the state of play at the moment.

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Again the fit is very nice. So far the only issue I have had with with one wheel spat. I could not get the front edge to close tightly at all so I slathered on the putty and sanded it smooth.

A good day for modeling as it is sleeting and heavy wet snow outside. But it is a fast moving front and the snow will not stay (he boldy predicts).
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