1/48 Hasegawa Nakajima Ki43-II

Hayabusa (Oscar)

by Eric Hargett

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This kit was built OOB and represents a typical high-quality modern Hasegawa kit.  I based the paint and marking scheme off an old Japanese military photo that was supposed to represent one of the relatively unmarked aircraft of the 248th Flight Regiment.  Cockpit detail, recessed panel lines, and the fit were all good.  Decals were a bit thick and required quite a bit of Solvaset to adhere to the surface. 

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Cockpit details and wheel wells were painted with Model Master 'interior metallic blue'.  The entire aircraft was then airbrushed with Floquil 'Old Silver'.  The yellow bars along the leading edges of the wings were painted next and then masked.  A mixture of ordinary table salt and water mixed with a very small quantity of hair spray was then applied randomly with a brush to selected areas of the aircraft and allowed to dry thoroughly.  Model Master 'IJA Green' was airbrushed free-handed over the dorsal surface of the model.  Tamyia flat black was then used for the anti-glare panel.  The aircraft was allowed to dry for a least 48 hours and then the dried salt was scraped away from the aircraft with a cotton cloth in the direction of air flow.  Result....instant and realistic paint chipping.  The model then received a few thin coats of Future and decals were applied.  A thinned oil wash in addition to an acrylic sludge wash were applied to the recessed panel lines.  Pastels and oil paints were used to touch-up some of the weathering.  4X monofilament dark tippet (there's always some around if you're a fly fisherman) was used for the wiring.  A final coat of clear flat completed the model.

Overall, I'm satisfied with the result as this was my first attempt at constructing a WWII Japanese aircraft in typical 'green' colors with the use of the salt technique for paint chipping.  I've tried simulating paint chipping with brushes, masking tape, blades, and toothpicks but all resulted in mediocre or poor results.  The salt technique is the way to go for paint chipping as long as you keep the effect 'random'.

Eric

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Photos and text © by  Eric Hargett