I have to say that this is the best 1/48 kit that I have ever built. It is a 1990’s kit so it is not as detailed as modern Tamiya kits but given how little interior is seen that’s not a problem. Fit is, well Tamiya level and it was just a joy to build.
All markings are painted on using Montex masks (not the best) and no other aftermarket was used. This kit had pre painted canopy frames but, nevertheless needed masking and attaching before painting for consistency ensuring they had the same colour and weathering treatments as the rest of the kit. Consequently the only benefit to using these was the ease of masking. The only downside being the internal frames ending up the same colour as the fuselage but in this scale I don't really think it’s a problem.
I wanted a relatively lightly weathered finish but Japanese planes being what they were I did more panel edge chipping than usual but not large areas of flaked off paint. Think of it as being relatively early in its service life.
All markings are painted on using Montex masks (not the best) and no other aftermarket was used. This kit had pre painted canopy frames but, nevertheless needed masking and attaching before painting for consistency ensuring they had the same colour and weathering treatments as the rest of the kit. Consequently the only benefit to using these was the ease of masking. The only downside being the internal frames ending up the same colour as the fuselage but in this scale I don't really think it’s a problem.
I wanted a relatively lightly weathered finish but Japanese planes being what they were I did more panel edge chipping than usual but not large areas of flaked off paint. Think of it as being relatively early in its service life.
