1/32 Tamiya / MDC Nakajima A6M2-N "Rufe"

Gallery Article by Bernd Kramer on Oct 5 2010

 

This is a Nakajima A6M2-N Rufe in 1/32nd scale.  I'm always wondering why none of the great manufacturers has made a kit of it yet. Well, nevertheless.

The plane shown here is based upon Tamiyas A6M2b Model 21 "Zeke" Kit and MDCs Rufe Conversion Kit.

Antenna wire was created from fishing line.  No further details were added.  Hope you'll like it.

This particular Rufe depicts one belonging to Sasebo Kokutai which was located on the Island of Kyushu in Japan (prefecture of Nagasaki) where it was assigned for home defense purposes.

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

Actually, all of the Rufes were destroyed during WWII - some of them by stormy weather (typhoons) -  except one.  It was captured by British troops at Singapore on September 1945.  After doing some testflights, the Brits handed it over to the French, where it was used against the Vietminh at Bien Hoa, Vietnam.  Sad enough, this last of the Rufes has crashed on September 19, 1946. 

Painting was done with Tamiya Colors and Alclad for the Spinner.  The hinomarus and the markings on the tail section were airbrushed on, as well as the red warning sign on the main float underneath the spinner.  I was using a Montex Mask for the hinomarus and the numbers and a piece of paper for the sign "Sa".

Bernd Kramer

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Photos and text © by Bernd Kramer