Does it look Italian or Japanese WW2?

[63cpe]

Picked up a longer running but very slowly advancing project. Fuselage and flying surfaces were already glued when I got it. Now I'm kitbashing it with some other parts, vertical tail is from Il-4, horizontal tailplanes will also come from the Il-4, engine nacelles from Caproni Ca311 and cockpitglazing (needs to be trimmed to fit) is an 1/24 P-51 "Dallas Hood" from falcon. But I feel the project came to a split: Does it look Italian WW2 or does it look Japanese WW2?

Depending on which theater I'll match the armament and camo.

IMG_20190303_173555130 by Buddy Holly, on Flickr
IMG_20190303_173603395 by Buddy Holly, on Flickr
IMG_20190303_173621160 by Buddy Holly, on Flickr
IMG_20190303_173645427 by Buddy Holly, on Flickr

Please, let me know what your opinion is...Italian or Japanese. Thanks!

Cheers,
David aka 63cpe

[Rheged]

Probably slightly more Italian than Japanese, but not by much!  I can also detect a slight flavour of German Siebel, specifically the front end of a 204D....but maybe that's just my imagination.

[JayBee]

Yes I think Italian/Caproni, but you will have to do something about the wings. They just shout out American.

[63cpe]

@Rheged, Yes your right it defeinatly has a German/Siebel touch to it, but wanted something more streamlined. The canopy of the Siebel 204D is still a bit Humpty-dumpty like...

@Jaybee, Ok thanks. Sure get your point about the wings...have a set of Caproni Ca 311/313/314 wings available. But let's check what other members feel like.

Thanks,
David aka 63cpe

[Tophe]

Does it look Italian WW2 or does it look Japanese WW2?

I would say it looks Beauty WW2 but this is not your question, sorry.
It reminds me the Japanese Dinah III
see https://modelingmadness.com/review/axis/j/jaaf/pres46.htm

[63cpe]

Thanks Tophe!

Haha, you've found the source of inspiration!
I've always loved the sleek lines of the Dinah III and Caponi 311/313/314 (glasshouse canopy). At the start of this project I thought, hey let's check if the sleek lines could be transplanted into a transport plane at the size of a Mitsubishi Ki-57 or Caponi CA311/313/314. I guess that's also how this identity crises started to seep through.... It was kind of "integrated" in the project.

David aka 63cpe

[Tophe]

Thanks to you (I had forgotten the beautiful Ca.311, probably I saw it several years ago then no more, while Google has it, yes).

[Scotaidh]

If you're going for Italian, then add another engine onto the nose.    That will solve any identity crisis quick, fast, and in a hurry, as Maj. Payne said.   

[TallEng]

I'd go with Tophe on this one its got that Dinah/Japanese look about it,
except for those wings, they just shout Dakota to me.

Regards
Keith

[loupgarou]

Which Dakota kit is yours? The old 1/90 Monogram one?

[Mossie]

except for those wings, they just shout Dakota to me.

My first thought was American, but I was thinking of the C-46, a combination of the wings and faired cockpit.  But to answer the question, I'd go with Japanese and the Dinah connection too.

[comrade harps]

except for those wings, they just shout Dakota to me.

My first thought was American, but I was thinking of the C-46, a combination of the wings and faired cockpit.  But to answer the question, I'd go with Japanese and the Dinah connection too.

My 1st thought was the Dinah, then the late model C-46s without the front step  but I agree with the Caproni look, too.

As the Japanese did build the DC-3 as the L2D, I would go with a Japanese version and keep the wings.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Showa/Nakajima_L2D

[Old Wombat]

I'm getting a more Caproni vibe (Ca.311 & Ca.313 but, especially, Ca.331) but the Mitsubishi Ki-46-III isn't too far behind.

The wings do scream C-47/DC-3 but that could be fixed by halving/eliminating the backward rake of the wings; so they either taper straight out or rake forward.

My 50c (after inflation).

[NARSES2]

A little bit late to the show, but has more of an Italian vibe to me

[63cpe]

Thanks gentlemen!

I do understand the mini-and-slimmed-down C-46 look. But I want it to loose it's American style. So, I'll adopt the proposed change of outer wings or re angled outer wings eventhough the Japanese did copy the Dakota as L2D.

@ Narses2: welcome and please join!

@Loupgarou: yes, i guess it is. I got this model about 60% built, missing engines, undercarriage, sidedoor and canopy. In the fuselage is Monogram stamped and comparing to an 1/72 C-47 it is about 1/90-1/100.

@ Old Wombat: Your 50 cents are very much appreciated and are actually worth much more! I really love the Ca331! What a beauty! Just as sleek as Japanese aircraft but definitely Italian in style. Can't really define what the Italian style is over the Japanese style.

Cheers,
David aka 63cpe