Old Kate.

[dodgy]

This is a build that I started for FSM that I'm still working on. I've managed to get it closed up, but have been derailed by life events, plus the amount of filling and sanding. It's an old NICHIMO kit in 1\48th and whilst it has several fit issues, for it's time, the level of surface and cockpit detail is amazing. The fabric detail on the control surfaces, riveting and inscribed panel lines would do credit to any current kit today. Unfortunately the large greenhouse canopy is one piece and badly scratched from sliding around in the box for many years and it's going to be very tricky to re-instate. On the whole this is a lovely old kit and so far I've had a lot of fun with it. I was also amazed by how big this aeroplane is. Now thinking about the Trumpeter big scale offering...... mmmmm. This is also just an out of the box build.

[406 Silverado]

I do like these Kates Rob. Never heard of that manufacturer before. Will have to check those guys out.

This is the one right? 

[kyledehart5]

Awesome!! looking really nice!

[handiabled]

I've never heard of this kit brand before but it looks to have really crisp fuselage and cockpit detail. I'll be following this one with interest!

[brandonk]

This is cool. I love these Japanese subjects. And yes, it does have great detail for an older kit. Bookmarked.

[jeaton01]

That's a better cockpit than many of the older kits. I have one of the Nichimo Kate kits that is extra to me as I already built the Hasegawa Kate.

[Joe Rix]

You are doing some really choice work on that vintage kit. Some of those Nichimo kits were indeed nicely detailed for their time. Great selection to build dodgy.

[dodgy]

Jun 24, 2024 5:35:38 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

I do like these Kates Rob. Never heard of that manufacturer before. Will have to check those guys out.

This is the one right? 




Yep, that's the one! For an old kit it's so good, I'd buy it again.

[dodgy]

Jun 24, 2024 5:48:19 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

Awesome!! looking really nice!

Thanks Kyle!

[dodgy]

Jun 24, 2024 9:13:22 GMT -5 handiabled said:

I've never heard of this kit brand before but it looks to have really crisp fuselage and cockpit detail. I'll be following this one with interest!

Thanks mate. The detail is really nice, particularly on the fabric surfaces. Nichimo did a lot of stuff in the early 70's, (at least I think it was the early 70's). Mostly armour and aircraft I think.

[dodgy]

Jun 24, 2024 9:51:18 GMT -5 brandonk said:

This is cool. I love these Japanese subjects. And yes, it does have great detail for an older kit. Bookmarked.

Thanks BK!

[dodgy]

Jun 24, 2024 15:26:20 GMT -5 jeaton01 said:

That's a better cockpit than many of the older kits. I have one of the Nichimo Kate kits that is extra to me as I already built the Hasegawa Kate.

What scale was the Hasegawa kit?

[dodgy]

Jun 24, 2024 17:30:33 GMT -5 Joe Rix said:

You are doing some really choice work on that vintage kit. Some of those Nichimo kits were indeed nicely detailed for their time. Great selection to build dodgy.

Thanks Joe! I seem to be caught in a time warp at the moment as I have the Airfix HP42, the old Revell U Boat and the Williams Boeing 247 on the bench at the moment.

[stikpusher]

That old Nichimo Kate is a fine "Golden Oldie". I built one as a kid back in the 70's and it turned out as a typical product of my skills at that time. Not exactly a glue and paint bomb, but I didn't know about things like nippers, fillers, sanding, etc... Along with the Fujimi 1/48 Val, they were probably the best 1/48 IJN kits available in that era... Im looking forward to seeing yours be completed here Dodgy.

[keavdog]

I seem to remember Nichimo doing motorized kits.

Looking good Dodgy. Nice cockpit detail for the day. I need a Kate in the stash - huge wing, long greenhouse and slinging a big torpedo. What's not to like!

[adt70hk]

That's coming on very nicely indeed and for such an old kit, the detail is outstanding.

ATB.

Andrew

[jeaton01]

Jun 25, 2024 2:43:20 GMT -5 dodgy said:

Jun 24, 2024 15:26:20 GMT -5 jeaton01 said:

That's a better cockpit than many of the older kits. I have one of the Nichimo Kate kits that is extra to me as I already built the Hasegawa Kate.

What scale was the Hasegawa kit?

The one I built is 1/48,  Rob.

[TJ]

Rob this is coming along very nice. I think I remember building a Nichimo kit in the early 80's

[dodgy]

Jun 25, 2024 8:21:01 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

That old Nichimo Kate is a fine "Golden Oldie". I built one as a kid back in the 70's and it turned out as a typical product of my skills at that time. Not exactly a glue and paint bomb, but I didn't know about things like nippers, fillers, sanding, etc... Along with the Fujimi 1/48 Val, they were probably the best 1/48 IJN kits available in that era... Im looking forward to seeing yours be completed here Dodgy.

Thanks Stik

[dodgy]

Jun 25, 2024 9:27:52 GMT -5 keavdog said:

I seem to remember Nichimo doing motorized kits.

Looking good Dodgy. Nice cockpit detail for the day. I need a Kate in the stash - huge wing, long greenhouse and slinging a big torpedo. What's not to like!

You're right about motorised kits Johnno, (sorry, that's the Aussie in me adding an 'o'), this one is made to accept a battery if you want to spin the prop as an alternative to building the actual engine. Now about the stash, the Border, (or is it Trumpeter), kit is looking very, very tempting. And in large scale that would be one very big birdie.

[dodgy]

Jun 25, 2024 17:32:36 GMT -5 adt70hk said:

That's coming on very nicely indeed and for such an old kit, the detail is outstanding.

ATB.

Andrew

Thanks Drew!

[dodgy]

Jun 25, 2024 17:42:20 GMT -5 jeaton01 said:

Jun 25, 2024 2:43:20 GMT -5 dodgy said:

What scale was the Hasegawa kit?

The one I built is 1/48,  Rob.

Very nice mate! I really like the open canopy and the folded wings.

[dodgy]

Jun 25, 2024 17:54:09 GMT -5 TJ said:

Rob this is coming along very nice. I think I remember building a Nichimo kit in the early 80's

Thanks TJ! I hate to think how long this has been sitting in the stash.

[dodgy]

So..... I've filled, sanded, filled and sanded some more, ad nauseam, but this pesky seam still won't disappear.  

[handiabled]

I hate when that happens..... It's great to see you back on this one again!

[kyledehart5]

Ugh. I hate those never go away seams. So frustrating.

[dodgy]

So, I decided to try filling those seams with thick super glue. This is something that I have not tried before and it looks like it might have done the trick. Now onto some fine sanding and polishing. Fingers crossed!!! 🤞