Subject: Re: Article of 1/48 N1K Aircraft
From: "Steve Bamford ARC" <[email-masked]>
To: "Rossmann's" <[email-masked]>
Date: Sun, 28 Aug 2005 01:14:05 -0700

Hi Mark,
I just wanted to let you know your article went on ARC today.  Thanks for sending it in.   

Steve Bamford
Aircraft Resource Center
http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com
 
Live like there is no tomorrow;
Love like you've never been hurt.
Work like you don't need the money.
Dance like nobody's watching.
Sing like nobody's listening.
Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Rossmann's 
  To: [email-masked] 
  Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2005 8:53 PM
  Subject: Article of 1/48 N1K Aircraft

  Hi Steve,

  Thanks for considering my article for print. Please advise when you think it may run...

  Sincerely, Mark L. Rossmann 
  ------------------------------------------------------------

  "1/48 Kawanishi N1K Aircraft " 

  by "Mark L. Rossmann"
  --------------------

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  History: Kawanishi N1K Kyofu (Rex)

  This was a seaplane fighter, which the N1K1-J Shinden was developed. The Kyofu(Powerful Wind) was fast, and powerfully armed. By the time this plane made it to the field in 1943, Japans offensive capabilities turned to defense and only 97 were built. The Japanese Navy initiated a seaplane project, out of which came the A6M2 Reisen seaplane and the N1K1, which first flew in May of 1942. It was a mid-wing monoplane with large floats, powered by a 1460 hp Mitsubishi MK4D Kasei 14 radial engine driving a pair of counter-rotating two-bladed propellers. The production version started in spring of 1943 and  ceased production in March of 1944. A Mitsubishi MK4E Kasei 15, 14-cylinder radial air-cooled engine, creating 1530 h.p, powered it.. Max speed 304 mph at 18,700 ft., ceiling 34,645 ft., range 1,036 miles. Armament was 2 20-mm cannon, 2 machine guns and up to 132 lbs. of bombs.

  Construction: N1K Kyofu Seaplane is a Tamiya kit no.  61036. (built 2005)

   It was built OOB and as with all Tamiya kits they are well thought out and went together very straight forward. As noted a very nice dolly is included  along with the mounting ladder for the climb to the cockpit.

  Painting: Tamiya synthetic Lacquer spray-paint AS-2 IJN  Navy Grey and AS-1 IJN Navy Green. 

  Decals: From the kit and represent No. 103, "Ohtsu" Kokutai. Decals adhered fine to the Tamiya spray paint, using Solve Set to snug them down. .

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  History: Kawanishi N1K1-J Shinden (George)

  The Kawanishi Shinden may be the only case in history of a land based combat aircraft derived from a seaplane. This was a privately developed aircraft which was fast, well protected and heavily armed. It was among the few Japanese planes that could compete on the same level as the Corsair and Hellcat. The Shinden ("Violet Lightning") were built to the tune of 1,435 during the last two years of the war, but were used sporadically. Since this was a private venture the Japanese military was reluctant to acknowledge the virtues of the plane, even with its initial problems with landing gear and engine. Once ironed out, the plane went into production in mid 1943. Production version was powered by a Nakajima NK9H Homare 21, 18-cylinder cylinder radial air cooled engine creating 1,990 hp. Max speed 363 mph at 19,335 ft., ceiling 41,010 ft., range 1,581 miles. Armament was 4 20-mm cannons, 2 machine gun and up to 264 lbs of bombs.

  Construction: N1K1-J Shinden is a Otaki kit. (built 1987)

   It was built OOB and as with all Otaki kits the interior was lacking detail. However, the exterior works up well providing a drop tank and 3 sets of decals. The fit was good with minimal filler and sanding, instructions in Japanese, but the pictures can be followed if care is taken.

  Painting: Tamiya acrylic Light IJN Navy Grey and IJN Navy Green hand painted with  a brush.

  Decals: From the kit and represent No. 151, "341st Air Group", fighting in Iwo Jima, Formosa, then the unit was destroyed in the Philippines. Decals adhered fine to the Tamiya paint, using Solve Set to snug them down.

          
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  History: Kawanishi N1K2-J Shinden Kai (George)

  With the short comings of the original design, the Shinden Kai  took to the air in December of 1943, which it shared the same engine as the K1-J but was different in a lowering to the wing system, in order to shorten and simplify the landing gear. The fuselage and tail were also redesigned which created an exceptional aircraft that the Japanese Navy accepted immediately as its standard fighter and fighter-bomber. Major production began in June of 1944. With the increase in U.S. bombing raids only 415 of this version could be built. Production version was powered by a Nakajima NK9H Homare 21, 18-cylinder cylinder radial air cooled engine  creating 1,990 hp. Max speed 369 mph at 18,375 ft., ceiling 35,300 ft., range ,4881 miles. Armament was 4 20-mm cannons, 1,100 lbs of bombs.

  Construction: N1K1-2 ShindenKai is a Hasegawa kit #J5. (built 2005)

   It was built OOB and is well designed with a great fit. The interior is adequate and the kit builds to a nice scaled version of the aircraft. Lower wings and upper wings sprayed separately then matched. Body sprayed separately then the wins matched to the body.

  Painting: Tamiya synthetic Lacquer spray-paint AS-2 Light Navy Grey and AS-1 Navy Green.

  Decals: From the kit and represent aircraft No. 45 of the"343rd Air Group", re-established at the Matsuyama Air Base 12/44, fighting to the end of the war. Decals adhered fine to the Tamiya spray paint, using Solve Set to snug them down.

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  Conclusion: The series of aircraft kits is relatively easy to construct. If you like Japanese aircraft this series of aircraft were fun to build providing a unique history of a specific aircraft type.

  References:  For all aircraft, "Rand McNally Illustrated Guide to World War II Airplanes - Volume 2". Each of the kits decal information.

   

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