This is one of a number
of 1/144 Kawanishi N1K Shiden-Kai model kits from Platz
Hobby .
The fine panel line detail as well as excellent detail in other areas of this
kit is easily as good as 1/72 scale. Platz has taken the 1/144 scale kit
to a very delicate looking and well detailed level. All panel lines are
fine and recessed. The canopy and windshield are a one piece affair, so if
you want to pose this model with an open canopy you have 2 choices. Use an
Xacto knife and carefully cut the windscreen apart from the rest of the
canopy.......or just cut grind/sand/file away the unwanted parts from the 2
canopies included in this kit. Yes you actually get 2 kits in this one
box......so if you are willing to sacrifice the second kit to have an open
canopy on your model, then this is an option.
The 4 pages of
instructions are your usual exploded line drawings with the majority of text in
Japanese. They look like they will be easy to follow.
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The engine cowl ring is very finely crafted and the prop blade is
thin and looks correct. You also get an engine which will come to life
with a bit of paint and dry brushing. The tail wheel is very nicely
detailed and of course the main landing gear look very good as well. This
kit comes with a separate seat and flat instrument panel that could be dressed
up with a custom made instrument panel decal if you were motivated. The
seat is well done and could be further enhanced with seat belts. The main
landing gear are delicate looking and well detailed and even have 2 part landing
gear doors. This kit does include a drop tank that you have the option of
mounting on the belly of the aircraft. The tailwheel is amazingly well
detailed and very tiny. The antenna mast behind the canopy is a little
thick and I think a more accurate replacement could be scratchbuilt if you were
truly keen to do so. The engine cowl has tiny exhaust pipes coming out of
it. The panel lines on the wings are well done and there is even shell
ejection chutes on the underside of the wings. The canopies have very fine
clearly defined canopy frames that will assist when painting the canopy.
The decals include 5 different
Kawanishi N1K Shiden-Kai "Late Version" from 1944 and 1945 including 2
with fuselage stripes and even the orange prototype. Platz has chosen a
good variety of paint schemes.
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Kawanishi N1K Shiden-Kai
"Late Version" Orange prototype 1944
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Kawanishi N1K Shiden-Kai
"Late Version" 343rd Naval Flying Group, April 1945, Matsuyama Air
Base
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Kawanishi N1K Shiden-Kai
"Late Version" 343rd Naval Flying Group, April 1945, Matsuyama Air
Base
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Kawanishi N1K Shiden-Kai
"Late Version" 343rd Naval Flying Group, Aug 1945, Ohmura Air Base
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Kawanishi N1K Shiden-Kai
"Late Version" 343rdNaval Flying Group, #5243 Kawanishi
factory
The decals are excellent quality and
in register and include stencils including prop decals for 3 aircraft. All
parts are packed in separate bags to protect the smaller more delicate parts and
even the canopies are in their separate bags.
1/144 models are a blast to build
out of the box and I guarantee you will enjoy building in this tiny scale and if
you are crazy enough to try.......I've seen some stunning detailing in 1/144
scale.
Check out http://www.platz-hobby.com/
for this and other fine products. I'd like to thank Platz
Hobby for the review sample......this kit is made in Japan and the high quality
is evident throughout this tiny model kit.
Steve
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