discussion Mania models 1/72 mitsubishi ki 51 Sonia

[yak face]

Heres the first of the double boxing of the Mania models Mitsubishi ki 51 ‘ Sonia’ . Mania produced a few kits before they went bust and they're worth tracking down ( although Hasegawa obtained the moulds so you can still find them in their boxings - ki51 sonia , ki15 babs, b5n2 kate , and ki 48 lily ) . Its a lovely kit with nice recessed panel lines and a nicely busy interior . Four decal options are offered for the two kits although assembly instructions are all in japanese so a bit of research is needed ( ive google translated all the instructions but there isnt any mention of paint colours , only the colour profiles sheet provided )

 

[yak face]

Started this ( yesterday actually ) with the cockpit . Its nicely done with plenty to fill the space and a few bits on the sidewalls like throttle levers and magazines for the machine gun . Ive added some Eduard etched belts to the seats , the strange japanese type and painted up the instrument panel which had nice raised detail for the dials . There are two small windows on the fuselage sides that need opening up and a clear part gluing in .Once I add the control column the fuselage can go together - odd thing is this kit has no locating pins anywhere so assembly has to be done carefully but it isnt a problem ( sometimes locating pins can actually cause fit issues )

 

[stillp]

You do find some weird kits to build Tony!
Pete

 

[yak face]

You do find some weird kits to build Tony!
Pete

I do like the unusual , unloved , underdog, even unbuildable Pete , in fact all the U’s !

 

[yak face]

Fuselage now together and bottom wing on first , while this was setting I assembled the cowling and fitted the engine . The exhausts are moulded on the front of the fuselage and though hollow arent very deep so they were drilled out . The top wings have now been added , a very nice fit which wont need any further attention . I’m in awe at the quality and modern feel of this kit , all the more incredible when you realise it was tooled in 1975 !

 

[Steven000]

Nice one, looking good Tony

 

[Geoffers]

Looking good Tony

I’ve never heard of Mania models but it looks very impressive for a 1975 era kit

Geoff.