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.

 

[flyjoe180]

I know Mania model moulds still appear in Hasegawa guise, but I'm not sure that I've seen this particular aeroplane before. It's coming together very nicely and quickly Tony.

 

[flyjoe180]

Maybe this link is of use to you with regard to colours Tony?

https://www.wingsykits.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/color_Ki-51_recon.pdf

 

[yak face]

Maybe this link is of use to you with regard to colours Tony?

https://www.wingsykits.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/color_Ki-51_recon.pdf

Brilliant cheers joe . That will help with the spotty green version I’m doing with this one. The other kit I’m planning to do as the reconnaissance version in the blue over light green scheme seen here
From what Ive found its a bit of a contentious one , there not being any photos or much mention of it but a respected japanese aircraft website reckons it would have been used , its just a case of finding out what colour blue it was .

 

[papa 695]

Just seen this one Tony, looks like a nicely detailed little kit. Cracking start.

 

[flyjoe180]

its just a case of finding out what colour blue it was .

I had a look through my bookmarks Tony, and found this colour chart for Japanese paint codes in 1945.

6-2 "Ao-iro" (Army code No.13/Navy E-1) is a likely candidate for the overall blue scheme. Equates to an FS number of 5088, which looks like a colour weirdly known as "Handicap Blue". I think you could get away with a slightly darkened 'Intermediate Blue' or a lightened 'Blue Angels Blue' sort of shade.

Japanese Aircraft Color Standards, Feb 05, 1945

 

[yak face]

I had a look through my bookmarks Tony, and found this colour chart for Japanese paint codes in 1945.

6-2 "Ao-iro" (Army code No.13/Navy E-1) is a likely candidate for the overall blue scheme. Equates to an FS number of 5088, which looks like a colour weirdly known as "Handicap Blue". I think you could get away with a slightly darkened 'Intermediate Blue' or a lightened 'Blue Angels Blue' sort of shade.

Japanese Aircraft Color Standards, Feb 05, 1945

Cheers joe , ive seen references to fs 35048 too which ive got ( vallejo dark Prussian blue ) so I might start with that and see if i need to lighten it a bit

 

[yak face]

Today it was time for my least favourite job - masking the canopy . A lot of japanese aircraft have multi pane canopies like this one ( 23 seperate panes ) and a pre cut mask is a nice luxury . Unfortunately to buy two sets would cost more than the kit so I gritted my teeth and did it by hand. Once this was done the canopy was glued on and the open rear section bunged up with a bit of sponge . After painting the canopy frames in the interior colour I was all ready to prime the airframe . This was when I noticed the landing lights in the wings . Theyre quite large and prominent and only supplied on the kit as solid . So out with the razor saw and after cutting them out pieces of clear sprue were cut to shape and superglued in . This will be sanded down and polished tomorrow . I think the wingtip nav lights were all one colour ( as opposed to clear with a coloured bulb ) so they will just be getting painted clear red and clear green .

 

[flyjoe180]

I share your dislike of complicated canopy masking Tony. That landing light conversion will make a difference.

 

[Steven000]

Great work on the canopy masking and landing lights Tony

 

[yak face]

I share your dislike of complicated canopy masking Tony. That landing light conversion will make a difference.

Cheers joe , have you seen the 1/48 ICM ki 21 Sally ? An interesting kit I considered getting until I looked at the instructions on Scalemates !! They provide a template for you to cut your own masks but just look at it , gives me the shivers !!

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

just look at it , gives me the shivers

You know what Ron would say Tony. Just hand paint it and then use a tooth pick to remove any over paint. I have never been brave enough to try it though.

 

[Tim Marlow]

That’s coming on well Tony. Like the landing light conversion as well. The Japanese idea of clear bulbs in coloured acetate is far more logical than the British idea of coloured bulbs in clear acetate isn’t it. Far less spare bulb types needed in stores.

 

[flyjoe180]

Cheers joe , have you seen the 1/48 ICM ki 21 Sally ? An interesting kit I considered getting until I looked at the instructions on Scalemates !! They provide a template for you to cut your own masks but just look at it , gives me the shivers !!

In 1/48 not so bad, but the sheer amount of glazing is enough to give me sleepless nights