1/72 Kawanishi N1K1/2 'Breaking Wind' Done! (Endpics page 3)

[Sticky Fingers]

Thanks, Tophe!
To keep you interested:


I could have used the decals provided to make the red stripes on the prop-blades nice and even, but I couldn't be bothered so I painted them on...

[Tophe]

Wow! Nice!
I plan to feature a thumbnail of your model (on my asymmetric aircraft site http://cmeunier.chez-alice.fr/Asymm_addition.htm ) as the very first built aircraft with contra-prop on one side and simple prop on the other side...

[tc2324]

Love the name of this.... 

[Sticky Fingers]

Wow! Nice!
I plan to feature a thumbnail of your model (on my asymmetric aircraft site http://cmeunier.chez-alice.fr/Asymm_addition.htm ) as the very first built aircraft with contra-prop on one side and simple prop on the other side...

I better keep my speed up then before someone beats me to it! I would be honoured, Tophe
I've ordered some paint online last week: it should've been here. Yesterday. . Can't do much without paint. So, I wait, patiently. 

[sequoiaranger]

I love this project.


But I have one "cautionary" comment: If the plane itself if symmetrical (as it seems from the overhead view), then the thrust from the engines needs to be "symmetrical" as well, or you will have SERIOUS problems trying to fly it. *IF* the thrust from the disparate engine/prop combinations is similar, "we" don't have a problem. If the thrust from the contraprop engine is greater than the other engine, then to achieve "symmetry" around the thrust line, the other engine would need to run faster or more powerfully to keep the plane straight. You have a "twin-engined" aircraft, and JUST like any other twin-engined aircraft, the thrust needs to be the same for both engines or the plane will be going in a circle! That is why most twin-engined planes have EXACTLY the same engine or engine/prop combinations---so that won't happen (battle damage notwithstanding).

[Sticky Fingers]

Thanks for the wise words, sequoiaranger. The right, de-cockpitted side has a different engine, though just as imaginary, from the engine on the left side . You can tell that from the different exhaust, the air-inlet just below the vertical stabilizer, oh and I lengthened the fuselage by glueing a 1:24 Suzuki Vitara (keeping things Japanese, see?) rim to the front of the fuselage to create more space for that bigger engine. That makes the fuselages asymmetrical, I think? So I see no problem with using those different prop-setups.

And it looks cool. If it ever would take off, I doubt it would be able to penetrate the heavy glass door that closes the display cabinet...

[Tophe]

I love this project.
But I have one "cautionary" comment: If the plane itself if symmetrical (as it seems from the overhead view), then the thrust from the engines needs to be "symmetrical" as well, or you will have SERIOUS problems trying to fly it. *IF* the thrust from the disparate engine/prop combinations is similar, "we" don't have a problem. If the thrust from the contraprop engine is greater than the other engine, then to achieve "symmetry" around the thrust line, the other engine would need to run faster or more powerfully to keep the plane straight. You have a "twin-engined" aircraft, and JUST like any other twin-engined aircraft, the thrust needs to be the same for both engines or the plane will be going in a circle! That is why most twin-engined planes have EXACTLY the same engine or engine/prop combinations---so that won't happen (battle damage notwithstanding).

Thanks for this realist comment, while we are here in the what-if universe: this could be an expensive prototype that will fail to fly, or a 'magic' aircraft with the pilot's mind power counter-balancing the thrust asymmetry. Imagination is endless. Our dear engineers may say "It wouldn't work", the smiling modellers may answer "so only us could build it"...

[Sticky Fingers]

After a couple of near disasters, all to do with some cheap primer I'm trying out, I now have this in the drying closet:


FWI: Here's one of the previous disaster areas.

That's three layers of paint, including primer, lifted clean of the styrene, having used the trusted Tamiya masking tape. The damage has been repaired and, on this particular project, I'll replace the use of masking tape with that of post-it notes.
More experiments with the primer will commence at a later date.


Oh, and before wires get crossed: paintcolours used are definitely not the same colours as used by the Japanese before, during or after WW2, but I don't care. Same goes for the flash on the vertyical stabilizers.

a 'magic' aircraft with the pilot's mind power counter-balancing the thrust asymmetry.

That just gave me an idea for another project! I hate you, Tophe

[Tophe]

Wow! Impressive model  , even if the paint work turns to a hard job...

[Sticky Fingers]

Thank you, Tophe.

Painting's done, did some work on the panellines and added a few decals.

Not done with either of those, but as it starts to look more and more like a proper plane, and the primer/paint problems fade from memory, I thought I'd share some of the joy

I will not go for the heavily chipped paintjob you can see in many wartime photographs (and on many scale models), maybe just a few scratches here and there.

[Tophe]

Looking good!

[Sticky Fingers]

Funny that. Started the painting with a problematic primer and end it with a problematic varnish .
All decals were in place, panellines were done and everything had dried totally so it was time to seal the lot and I thought "I'll give Vallejo Air's flat varnish a go", having never used it but having had good experiences with Vallejo Air in general.

OMGWTF my model's turned white! Almost furry!


Might have had to much pressure through the airbrush, or not enough, or had the nozzle to far away, I have no idea.

After a few choice words that made the dog flee to her cage (and gave the paint enough time to harden out) I did the first thing that came to mind: I mixed up my last drop of Tamiya clear with my last drop of Tamiya thinner and diluted the mixture with tap-water and sprayed it over the now mouldy looking plane. It's drying now, but I promise pics will follow, whether good result or bad.

[Cobra]

This is Superb i Could Almost Picture this Plane in a Game i Owned once called 'Heroes of The Pacific'! Great Work Can't wait to see it Finished Dan

[Sticky Fingers]

Thanks Dan! Nearly gave up hope, but Tamiya came to the rescue:




It even now has a nice satin sheen to it now, which wasn´t intentional but is most welcome!

me--> <-- Tamiya-san


Now for the next possible horror scene: painting the canopy frames! Oh jolly

[Tophe]

You make me love horror films...