Army Type M in Mongolia

[NARSES2]

After flight testing of the Me109E the Imperial Japanese AF were sufficiently impressed to keep an eye on future developments of the airframe in their quest for a "heavy fighter" type. When they learnt that the F type had been tested with a radial engine they asked for access to the technical reports and after the type had been flown by the Berlin Air Attache they obtained a manufacture licence.

The Me109 X therefore became the Army Type 4 Light Fighter; Ki-99. By this time the Ki-60/61 had assumed the role of heavy fighter and the Type 4 was to be used in the tactical-recce role.

Some 45 were produced by the Army Air Arsenal, but for various reasons, including an innate belief in the superiority of Japanese designed aircraft, the type was never popular with it's pilots. Never the less it gave good service on some of the lesser fronts until quite late in the war, by which time it was undoubtedly obsolete.

This particular aircraft was operarated on the Mongolian sector of the Russian Front during 1944. By this time the Russian Front in so far as the Japanese were concerned had stabilised as they had made all the territorial/material gains they needed during 1942/1943. With the Russians completely focused on the West Fronts (to the Japanese) the Far Eastern front was one of patrols with the odd skirmish small action thrown in, more to keep the troops up to scratch then anything else.

[NARSES2]

The model is the RS Models Me109X which is very nice and quite an easy build. Paints are mainly Tamiya, WE and Xtracrylic with transfers from the spares box, although the unit marking came from a Rising Decals sheet for Japanese Light Bombers (a Ki-30)

I forgot to mention that the Allied reporting name was "Mike" actually given to the Me 109, and Ki-99 was an unbuilt Mitsubishi project.

This is the first model I've finished in a while, been going through one of my regular "I aint any good at this spells", needed to remind myself I do it for fun not the glory 

Chris

[Jschmus]

needed to remind myself I do it for fun not the glory 

That may be, but it's a good-looking model, and I imagine it'll cause no end of head-scratching at it's next show appearance.

[ysi_maniac]

Love your concept!

[Mossie]

needed to remind myself I do it for fun not the glory 

That may be, but it's a good-looking model, and I imagine it'll cause no end of head-scratching at it's next show appearance.

I agree with Jason, I'm not particular familiar with Japanese types & the Me-109X really does seem to fit very well with their types.  Definately looks the part, good job mate!

[Tophe]

nice!

[Glenn Gilbertson]

Interesting backstory and a good looking model.

[Brian da Basher]

Your Type M is a winner all the way, NARSES! It actually reminds me a little of a Tojo and that resemblance really makes this one work for me. Going with an all brown prop and spinner was a very nice touch.

Brian da Basher

[BlackOps]

Chris, this one came out just right!