Mitsubishi F1M2 MODEL 11 early version

Acki
Hi Luciano!
Always fun to watch a Mitsubishi. I´ll watch this.

luciano gianfilippi
I'm building from the box this seaplane made by Hasegawa # 09874 edition year 2009
The Mitsubishi F1M2 Pete model 11 contains parts for the early type, that means
a different canopy for observer officer (radio operator and gunner too, are the same person)
FIRST STEP COCKPIT AND FUSELAGE
The cockpit interior is full of fine molded parts, but for the seat belts I preferred
the set of Fine Molds + some japanese photo etchings by Eduard
Take note that part L10 of instruments panel in the photos available of the real
aircraft is not in black color as in the Hasegawa instruction sheet, but seems
in interior green
The decals fits very well on the panel
Is necessary to put some cables inside the cockpit and some leverages with handpoint
in red (for the MG)
Be careful with the position of panel D9 because is the main connection between
the pilot office and the observer office; and be careful with the part D6 and N3
N3 is transparent and is necessary to paint apart in glossy black without cover the top
front of this instrument
I THINK THE BETTER WAY is to try many times the connections before put glue inside
SECOND STEP WINGS
If the aircraft you want to model wears the dark green of IJ Navy remember to paint
first the yellow identification border, before to put gray under and green above
Using masking tape, I put first a line of glossy yellow at the evening and the day after
I covered with yellow mat : the result is better (I used acrilyc Tamiya colors)
The decals from the box are good but with some drops of decal solution adherence
goes better on the wings
THIRD STEP THE MACHINE GUN
The MG japanese type 92 provided from Hasegawa kit is very good, and was
a Lewis MG manufactured in Japan
7 different colors are necessary to achieve a good impression.
- steel
- black metal
- wood
- matt red
- silver
- brown
- matt black
I painted apart the ammunition magazines and glued the firing pin made from
etched part and plastic strip: a good alignment is necessary, but the plastic
support means safety when you move the model (the so thiny metal parts
usually goes broken very quick)
FOURTH STEP WIRING
WORK IN PROGRESS NOW
(Source of documentation: "Model Art" special magazine on IJNavy seaplanes
and "Koku Fan" book on Mitsubishi F1M2 Pete + internet navigation)

luciano gianfilippi
The engine cowling in this model of Mitsubishi F1M2 (early version) is different from
the others later type because is lacking the air intake to convey cold wind to
the motor; the engine cowling is all round