Andrew's 1/48 Tamiya Raiden

[adt70hk]

Good evening all from a very hot and sunny UK

That's right.......

................for those of you that know my work I am deviating from the one true scale that is 1/72......I will now pause whilst that shocking fact sinks in.......

........................

.......................

..........ok, that should have been long enough!

As you may have seen, since the end of last year I have been buying a number of 1/48 wingy kits.  This will actually be the first of these acquisitions to be built and is the first ever 1/48 wingy kit I have built, and is also my first Japanese plane as far as I can recall - certainly not since I came back to the hobby.

A friend is running a Japanese plane GB on the British forum I am on, although it doesn't actually start until the 1st of July.

As this is the first large(r) scale aircraft I have built, I will be keeping it very simple.  So no mass use of AM parts or PE, aside from some metal barrels.  No point in biting off more than I can chew given I'm brand new to this scale and know virtually nothing about Japanese planes.  This also means I will have to put up the heavy Tamiya decals. 

So initial impression is that it's huge....certainly compared to 1/72!!!  Truly massive!! 

Second impression is that for a kit that was first released in 1973 (HERE), it looks pretty good.  This is a 2008 reboxing.  Obviously not up to modern standards but should turn out a decent enough plane and for the very reasonable price of £13.53 delivered.

I also had to buy some IJN paints for the build too and went for my usual Vallejo ones, and of course having got the paints I was forced to go out and buy more IJN kits to make the most of them!

Oh and in a nice touch is that it contains a couple of good quality pictures of the planes you can build, I assume to make up for the 1973 black and white instructions

So no more now on this until 1st July!

ATB

Andrew

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Some vintage instructions......nice and simple.....







And the nice colour shots

[Joe Rix]

That is oldie but a goodie Andrew. Should be a fun little build. The J2M Raiden is one of my favorite Japanese aircraft. I started this kit many, many years ago. It sits now in storage still partially built. Was just of a meh kit I fiddled with during my multi year hiatus from the hobby. Since then I've acquired more modern better detailed kits in 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32. As such, the old Tamiya languishes away. I look forward to you building this and giving this a treatment with your talents.

[stikpusher]

Welcome to 1/48 aircraft! That kit is an oldie but goody! I’m sure that you’ll have fun with this kit. I have had one in the stash for many years. One day…

[406 Silverado]

This should be a real treat to follow Andrew and as Carlos said, "Welcome to 1/48 aircraft". You'll be amazed at the detail that you can add in this scale. Looking forward to seeing this one on the bench bud.

[Tobi]

Looks as if you found yourself also some nice extra goodies.

[jeaton01]

I'm a Raiden groupie as well. I've built the Hasegawa J2M6 in 1/48 as well. Even have several of the Revell 1/32 kits, but the Hasegawa kit in that scale is of course the one to have.

[Leon]

Looking forward to you tackling this Andrew!

[keavdog]

I did this kit as well. I did the second aircraft markings on the instruction sheet.  They are for Lt. Sadaaki Akamatsu's aircraft - look him up, pretty colorful character. I'll be doing his zero down the road.
Looking forward to your build.

[stikpusher]

Jun 26, 2023 15:12:07 GMT -5 jeaton01 said:

I'm a Raiden groupie as well. I've built the Hasegawa J2M6 in 1/48 as well. Even have several of the Revell 1/32 kits, but the Hasegawa kit in that scale is of course the one to have.

Several of the 1/32 Revell kits?! Oh my! 😏

[adt70hk]

Jun 25, 2023 16:42:14 GMT -5 Joe Rix said:

That is oldie but a goodie Andrew. Should be a fun little build. The J2M Raiden is one of my favorite Japanese aircraft. I started this kit many, many years ago. It sits now in storage still partially built. Was just of a meh kit I fiddled with during my multi year hiatus from the hobby. Since then I've acquired more modern better detailed kits in 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32. As such, the old Tamiya languishes away. I look forward to you building this and giving this a treatment with your talents.

Thanks Joe!  I'm hoping so.  I'm not all up on most Japanese planes but there is something about the look of it I like for some reason.  Will try not to let you down!

Andrew

[adt70hk]

Jun 25, 2023 21:12:22 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

Welcome to 1/48 aircraft! That kit is an oldie but goody! I’m sure that you’ll have fun with this kit. I have had one in the stash for many years. One day…

Thanks Carlos.  It does look very good and I'm not adverse to old kits.

I did a 1/72 1970 Monogram 110 a few years ago.  It had raised panel lines but I wasn't that fussed.  They're one of my favourite planes and it was something to practice on as it was the first twin engined aircraft I'd made in about 40 years and the first I'd ever done with an AB....I was not going to risk my Eduard 1/72 Profipack 110 first time out!


ATB

Andrew

[adt70hk]

Jun 25, 2023 21:43:15 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

This should be a real treat to follow Andrew and as Carlos said, "Welcome to 1/48 aircraft". You'll be amazed at the detail that you can add in this scale. Looking forward to seeing this one on the bench bud.

Thanks Joe!

Sorry to disappoint.  Not much detail to add this time.....just keep it simple and get it finished OOB.....hopefully to an OK standard! 

Andrew

[adt70hk]

Jun 26, 2023 11:17:54 GMT -5 Tobi said:

Looks as if you found yourself also some nice extra goodies.

Indeed!  The guns and masks were part of my Father's Day gift from my daughter!

As for the paints, well you can't really finish a kit without them can you!!

ATB

Andrew

[adt70hk]

Jun 26, 2023 15:12:07 GMT -5 jeaton01 said:

I'm a Raiden groupie as well. I've built the Hasegawa J2M6 in 1/48 as well. Even have several of the Revell 1/32 kits, but the Hasegawa kit in that scale is of course the one to have.

Hi John

Not sure if I would describe myself as a Raiden groupie!  I was basically looking for a cheap Japanese 1/48 scale for the GB I mentioned.  That said they do have a certain something about them!

ATB.

Andrew

[adt70hk]

Jun 26, 2023 15:27:51 GMT -5 Leon said:

Looking forward to you tackling this Andrew!

Thanks Leon....I am too....but all that could change on the 1st, when I cut the first plastic off the sprue.


Andrew

[adt70hk]

Jun 26, 2023 16:20:46 GMT -5 keavdog said:

I did this kit as well. I did the second aircraft markings on the instruction sheet.  They are for Lt. Sadaaki Akamatsu's aircraft - look him up, pretty colorful character. I'll be doing his zero down the road.
Looking forward to your build.

Thanks for the tip John.  Wil have a look.  The thought of putting those thick, heavy yellow zig-zag decals was already making me lean towards the one without.

ATB

Andrew

[adt70hk]

Jun 26, 2023 16:57:49 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

Jun 26, 2023 15:12:07 GMT -5 jeaton01 said:

I'm a Raiden groupie as well. I've built the Hasegawa J2M6 in 1/48 as well. Even have several of the Revell 1/32 kits, but the Hasegawa kit in that scale is of course the one to have.

Several of the 1/32 Revell kits?! Oh my! 😏

My thoughts exactly.  A friend on the British forum I'm on has been trying to corrupt me into large(r) scale aircraft......so far he's only manged to get me to 1/48! I just don't have the space for 1/32.....and to be honest I'm not sure I have it for 1/48 either!

Andrew

[TJ]

 I'll be watching this one. 

I too build in both 72nd and 48th. Don't have room for anything bigger

[406 Silverado]

Jun 27, 2023 14:49:53 GMT -5 adt70hk said:

Jun 25, 2023 21:43:15 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

This should be a real treat to follow Andrew and as Carlos said, "Welcome to 1/48 aircraft". You'll be amazed at the detail that you can add in this scale. Looking forward to seeing this one on the bench bud.

Thanks Joe!

Sorry to disappoint.  Not much detail to add this time.....just keep it simple and get it finished OOB.....hopefully to an OK standard! 

Andrew

You won’t disappoint at all Andrew! Dude……it’s a Tamiya. A lot of details are already built in. Lol

[stikpusher]

Jun 29, 2023 7:37:02 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

Jun 27, 2023 14:49:53 GMT -5 adt70hk said:

Thanks Joe!

Sorry to disappoint.  Not much detail to add this time.....just keep it simple and get it finished OOB.....hopefully to an OK standard! 

Andrew

You won’t disappoint at all Andrew! Dude……it’s a Tamiya. A lot of details are already built in. Lol

I will qualify that with "it's old  Tamiya". Their detail then is not what it is now... or even a decade or two later... 

[adt70hk]

Jun 27, 2023 19:14:19 GMT -5 TJ said:

 I'll be watching this one. 

I too build in both 72nd and 48th. Don't have room for anything bigger

Johnny

Thanks for the support.  Don't tell anyone but I have built one 1/35 kit!   But it was only a Pz II so it takes up no more room than my 1/72 Tiger II! 

Jun 29, 2023 7:37:02 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

Jun 27, 2023 14:49:53 GMT -5 adt70hk said:

Thanks Joe!

Sorry to disappoint.  Not much detail to add this time.....just keep it simple and get it finished OOB.....hopefully to an OK standard! 

Andrew

You won’t disappoint at all Andrew! Dude……it’s a Tamiya. A lot of details are already built in. Lol

I'm sure it will be fine Joe.....just  bit nervous!  It's sooooo big!!!

Jun 29, 2023 12:21:39 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

Jun 29, 2023 7:37:02 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

You won’t disappoint at all Andrew! Dude……it’s a Tamiya. A lot of details are already built in. Lol

I will qualify that with "it's old  Tamiya". Their detail then is not what it is now... or even a decade or two later... 

That's true Carlos but I intend to do it closed canopy and with the pilot in place, so not much of the insides will be seen.

I think I'm a bit old fashioned in that I like to have pilots on board, brings them to life a bit........no to mention making it hard to see the mistakes!



Thanks again guys.  The good news is that I can start cutting the plastic at the weekend!

ATB

Andrew

[406 Silverado]

It can't be that big. It's not even as big as a teeny Zero.

[jeaton01]

But it's fat in the middle like a Gee Bee!

[adt70hk]

Good afternoon all

So as the GB this is for started yesterday, I have been cutting a small bit of plastic.

Now, I will probably be incurring the wrath of the Modelling Gods but I have not started with the cockpit!   That's right....a wingy build not starting with the cockpit!!


Instead I have started with the pilot...purely so the rattle-can primer would have a chance to dry whilst I got on with the rest of the build.  There was a bit a seam line all the way around him but nothing too major.

All things considered, he's not looking too bad considering he's 50 years old, albeit his current perch looks a tad uncomfortable! 

Its our model club tomorrow night and so I think I'll hold off cutting any more plastic, so I can work on it then  but at least I have started!

ATB

Andrew

[406 Silverado]

That is a good looking figure despite the age of the kit. These Tamiya aircraft kits reall are “all that”!! Looking forward to seeing more progress on him as well as the cockpit.

[adt70hk]

Jul 2, 2023 10:09:23 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

That is a good looking figure despite the age of the kit. These Tamiya aircraft kits reall are “all that”!! Looking forward to seeing more progress on him as well as the cockpit.

Not too bad at all, all things considered Joe!  More to follow soon!

[adt70hk]

Good evening all

So Monday night was club night and so I took this kit to work on.  By the end I had the fairly basic cockpit constructed.  The fuselage halves and wings were also off the sprue by the close

This has allowed for a bit of a rudimentary dry fit.  This has highlighted that there is not much support for the rear of the underside wing to grab on to where it joins the fuselage when it's put in place but I have a cunning plan.

Wings are now gluing with the help a 'few' 'clamps'.

Best of all the pilot actually fits in his seat!!  This is unlike every 1/72 Airfix pilot I have ever used......I now cut their flying boots off before bothering to paint them, I've had that many problems in the past.

Is it an uber detailed modern kit? Nope!!! but it's going together ok so far!

ACW as usual.

ATB

Andrew


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[deafpanzer]

Glad to see that you are making a very good process. I bet it felt good that the figure fit perfectly!

[406 Silverado]

Everything seems to be humming right along for you on this one Andrew. That IS one nasty gap at the bottom of the fuselage between the rear of the wing at the center and the fuselage. Yikes!!! Looking forward to seeing how you tackle that but know that you'll do well I know.

[adt70hk]

Jul 5, 2023 15:59:53 GMT -5 deafpanzer said:

Glad to see that you are making a very good process. I bet it felt good that the figure fit perfectly!

Thanks Andy and yes very pleased. 

You think Airfix would have updated the British pilot by now as I think he's well over 50 years old....so I feel a bit bad cutting his feet off without a second thought! 

Jul 5, 2023 17:35:30 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

Everything seems to be humming right along for you on this one Andrew. That IS one nasty gap at the bottom of the fuselage between the rear of the wing at the center and the fuselage. Yikes!!! Looking forward to seeing how you tackle that but know that you'll do well I know.

Thanks Joe.

The gap is not that bad, I was just pressing down a bit to show how small a contact point there was.  It actually line up pretty well

What I will do on the wing mid-point, as I have already done on other parts where lining it up could be tricky, is to put some 0.3mm x 4mm plastic strips along where the joins will be to give the other half something to butt up against.

It's something I did on my 109s for my 'Hunters and Hunted' collection as AZ Models really are awful on that point.  This old Tamiya kit is nowhere near as bad but some dry fits show it has definitely helped.

Hopefully you can see what I mean below.



Thanks again both.

ATB

Andrew