Yes, it looks like an ME 262, but it isn’t. It’s a Nalajima Kikka, an ‘orange blossom’ special. It was quite a bit smaller than the Me 262, about 4/5ths smaller. It was designed and built in Japan fpr the Nakajima works. The Ne-20 jet engine was also about 4/5ths smaller than the german BMW 003A on which it was based. An Me 262 was en route to Japan in a submarine and plans, but it did not get to Japan so the design had to be based on knowledge of the technology.
The aircraft first flew in August 1945. For its second flight, it was fitted with RATOs. These made the takeoff difficult to control so the aircraft ended up on the beach of Tokyo harbour. A few more airframes were assembled but production ended when WW2 came to an end. Three of the airframes went to the USA to be studied. One still exists in the National Air and Space Museum. One can only speculate as to the effect on US bombers might have been had the aircraft been a bit earlier.
The kit if from Eagles Talon Inc. It’s a 1/72 vacform with very finely recessed surface detail. Too much paint will fill in these lines. The plastic is thick enough to make it fairly easy to build, i.e., there are no weak thin points that need extra care. There is no undercarriage or decals so one has to depend on scratch building and scraps. I had to print the roundels as I had none that were small enough.
All in all, it’s an oddity to have in a collection, but an interesting one to have.
Nakajima Kikka; Eagles Talon 1/72
- gengriz
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Re: Nakajima Kikka' Eagles Talon 1/72
Very nice!
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- iggie
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Re: Nakajima Kikka; Eagles Talon 1/72
Excellent build and interesting history of the type.
As you say, a few months earlier and in greater numbers may have made a significant difference to history.....
As you say, a few months earlier and in greater numbers may have made a significant difference to history.....
Best wishes
Jim
If you can walk away from a landing, it's a good landing. If you use the airplane the next day, it's an outstanding landing
"Never put off till tomorrow, what you can do the day after tomorrow"
Jim
If you can walk away from a landing, it's a good landing. If you use the airplane the next day, it's an outstanding landing
"Never put off till tomorrow, what you can do the day after tomorrow"
- FAAMAN
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Re: Nakajima Kikka; Eagles Talon 1/72
Very nice as usual
Been modelling for years, still learning . . . .
Model kits are meant to be assembled . . . . . . . . . . eventually.
Model kits are meant to be assembled . . . . . . . . . . eventually.
Re: Nakajima Kikka; Eagles Talon 1/72
Terrific work.
Regards, Paddy.
On The Bench
Fujimi 1/72 A-7E Corsair II
On The Bench
Fujimi 1/72 A-7E Corsair II
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Re: Nakajima Kikka; Eagles Talon 1/72
Good build of an interesting type, Vacant. I think the danger lay in whether the earlier availability of types such as the Kikka and Me-262 could have bought enough time for the Axis to develop their own A-Bomb as that was the real war winner. The Allies were hot on the axis' lead with jet types and IMHO the early lead would have soon been caught.
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IPMS#12300
Work is the curse of the modelling classes!
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Re: Nakajima Kikka; Eagles Talon 1/72
A baby 262,well tidy mun.
Regards celt.
Regards celt.
Re: Nakajima Kikka; Eagles Talon 1/72
Two Thumbs up
Besting 60 years of mediocre building of average kits in the stand off scale
- gnomemeansgnome
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Re: Nakajima Kikka; Eagles Talon 1/72
Nice.
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ICBM = Insatiable Collector and Builder of Models
- skypirate
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Re: Nakajima Kikka; Eagles Talon 1/72
Nice to see this rarity.
AZ Model has released a range of these in 1/72 and there is even a 1/48 kit around.
Thanks for sharing,
David
AZ Model has released a range of these in 1/72 and there is even a 1/48 kit around.
Thanks for sharing,
David