S-58 "Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition"

Every year at this time the magazine "Scale Aviation" organises a competition.
This year's challenge is to buy a new kit for less than 2000 yen and build it by December.
I chose the HSS-1 from Italeri. (1881Yen) 

Cut out the existing plastic part as we want to replace it with a metal mesh 

OK! 

This competition always attracts modelers of a high level, so I want to put in a serious effort and submit a well crafted work. 

The cutting of the fuselage has been completed.
Now the work is suspended until the PE parts arrive from the Czech Republic. 

The decals have arrived from Germany. 

Excellent quality, but as "海上保安庁(JCG)" is in simplified Chinese and the font is different, we have to consider alternatives. 

And the PE parts have arrived safely from the Czech Republic! 

Work resumes! 

Needs to be adjusted to fit PE parts 

Thank you for your patience.
I've been busy and we're almost two weeks away from the deadline!

Recommended background music: Vangelis - Antarctica 

There are photos ( funenokagakukan.or.j..3th_nankyokukannsoku ) of the various maintenance hatches being opened and serviced, and the contents need to be built up to replicate this. 

Especially the engine compartment is a blank space in the original kit, so I made a lot of things myself. 

The fuselage is now glued in place.
From here on we will proceed at once! 

Sets the frame for lettering text. 

Apply masking tape… 

Remove the frame and you're done! 

Do the same on the other side. 

Painting the "alert orange" that will stand out in Antarctica. 

I removed the masking tape.
It's painted beautifully! 

I was worried about the word "海上保安庁 (Coast Guard)", but it looks fine. 

we have a problem!
My home-made decals for aircrafts registration are not coloured at all. 

I managed to cope with this by using hastily made stencils and existing decals! 

mission complete! 

All that's left is to take the photos outdoors in natural light.
Now that it's snowing, we'll be able to take pictures that look like that! 

I've been filming on location in Antarctica. 

I have just been selected as a Masterpiece at the Scale Aviation Convention 2022!
This is thanks to your support, thank you very much!