Nakajima Kikka (AZ Model)
Not much choice if you want to build a Kikka. I will make the prototype however, not this what-if silliness.
Not a lot of parts - moulded with the typical AZ short-run quality.
And here are the rest of the bits.
The kit decals (upper left) and those from the old MPM kit. The PE fret is from NH Detail in Sofia, Bulgaria.
The photoetch seat is a bit nicer than the kit part.
NH Detail provide a lot of greeblies to enhance the office.
The instrument panel and film from NH seem quite nice. I added some decals from the spares box to tart it up a bit.
The levers look like matchsticks - but those are the colours shown in the Monogram monograph on the Kikka, which are colour photos of the surviving airframe.
Apparently there were no shoulder harnesses, just lap belts.
The cockpit assembly can be added after the fuselage halves are together.
A bit of weight up front.
A bit of putty...
...here and there. You can also see that I've added completely fictitious details to the empty gear bays.
Mr. Hobby IJN Dark Green on top and IJN grey underneath. A really boring paint job.
The only stickers were the hinomaru in six spots. The prototype had no other markings that can be seen in surviving photos.
I did some modulation of the green, but this aircraft made only one flight so it wasn't heavily weathered.
I made a colossal mistake by leaving the area behind the cockpit primer grey - it should be dark green. Too late now!
I added the venturi tube on the starboard side. PE parts from NH Detail are used for the small antenna in front of the windscreen and the tail skid.
The landing gear doors are photoetch from NH Detail. Much nicer than the kit parts.
The Kikka's only flight occurred on the day after the Hiroshima bombing.
The head-on shot shows the Kikka's gull wing design nicely.
Hozzászólások
30 24 April 2023, 22:16
Bill GilmanI just finished the AZ Model kit of the Nakajima Kikka. Despite the title on the box, the Kikka never received a designation such as "J9N" - only "Kikka." Japan's first jet fighter, it bore a superficial resemblance to the Me 262 but was a much smaller aircraft. The Kikka only made one test flight (the day after the Hiroshima bombing) for about 40 minutes or so. It was heavily damaged in a subsequent aborted attempt to take-off with rocket pod assist and never flew again. There is a surviving airframe at Udvar-Hazy which is being restored for display.
The model is a typical short-run kit. Luckily I was able to find a nice photoetch sheet from NH Detail in Sofia, Bulgaria so I could add some details. At the end of the day, not a great kit and not my best work (by a long shot). But if you want a 1:72 Kikka, this is probably the easiest way to do it. Cheers, Bill
24 April 2023, 22:57
Jan PetersExcellent job all'round 👍🏻
I wish I had the etch set when I build mine, it takes it to another level
28 April 2023, 08:45
Bill GilmanThanks mates!
@Jan - the etch set really improved the kit. I only wish I had a vacuform canopy that I could easily open up so you could see the cockpit. I thought about cutting open the kit's injected canopy, but it is fairly thick and I didn't want to make a mistake and ruin it as it was all I had.
I used to have the old MPM kit of the Kikka in my stash (even more basic than this one) but I sold it. I think the AZ kit is still available, so it is the simplest way to get a 1:72 Kikka. Better yet, look for the 1:48 Kikka from Fine Molds. I've heard that's the best one of all.
Cheers, Bill
1 May 2023, 20:38
Album info
1:72 AZ Model kit
