A6M2-N 'Rufe'

[AJay]

Hey guys,

Here's a build I completed today. It's a Tamiya 1/48 'Rufe'. I had more than a few problems with this old kit, perhaps due to it being just my 4th build and my first airbrush work.

I wanted to experiment with weathering techniques so also used this kit as a test-bed to try out my artist's pastels. Okay, so a float plane like this probably wouldn't have displayed this much abuse, but it was fun to create none the less. Obviously the real aircraft was aluminum so wouldn't rust, but I decided to put some surface rust anyway. Trawling through old wartime photos, the floats on these aircraft did seem to take a beating, and given the tough service life/enviroments in which they served, they're sure to have been a little beaten up.

The aeriel mast snapped during painting so I put it away for safe-keeping. When I went to glue it back on last night........you guessed it! No where to be found! I've read that a lot of Zeros had their masts sawed off as the radio equipment was so bad....perhaps I'll completely remove it :smile1:

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[yak face]

Hi ajay, thats one beaten up rufe!I really like it. Youve certainly got the hang of the weathering , and a lot of japanese aircraft did get really scabby so i think its fine (although as you concede , they wouldnt have rust streaks, lets say its just plain muck!!) Im really into jap stuff at the mo ,you know how it is , i just seem to go from one fad to another, and ive got quite a few in the stash so this is making me want to go and start one! cheers tony

 

[AJay]

Glad you like it and thanks, Tony. I'm glad it's inspired you and look forward to seeing what Japanese bird you decide to build : )

 

[msm2]

I really like it. 5 stars from me. Got one of these in the stash Tamiya 1/48 Mitsubishi Ki-46 III Type 100 Dinah.

 

[stona]

Nice job,it looks really beaten up. I don't know much about japanese aircraft but I do know that they often looked pretty distressed and your certainly fits the bill.

Cheers

Steve

 

[spanner570]

I do like to see a beat up model in any form and this a superb example. You have the weathering off to a tee, rust or not it matters not one jot. It's being able to create the finish you require that matters.

Very well done, big 5 for sure....

Cheers,

Ron

 

[geegad]

Hello bud it looks amazing top marks well done bud

Geegad

 

[Dave W]

Looks really good.Youve got me thinking about weathering my Kingfisher now.This looks like the Japanese version of the Vought Kingfisher with its big fuselage float configuration.

 

[AJay]

Msn, Steve, Ron, Geegad and Dave, thank you so much for your compliments!

It's taken me since before Christmas to actually complete this model, but I'm glad I did. If I was to build a dio for her, I'd have her abandoned after the war with some allied airmen inspecting her. Maybe something for the future : )

 

[yak face]

Glad you like it and thanks, Tony. I'm glad it's inspired you and look forward to seeing what Japanese bird you decide to build : )

Hi ajay. ive got a 1/48 tamiya mitsubishi raiden, two 1/48 dinahs (recon and cannon armed versions) a Revell 1/48 aichi 'val' and the incredible submarine based floatplane, aichi seiran in 1/48 also tamiya. I think its either the raiden or the seiran. Cheers tony

 

[AJay]

Tony, I have the Tamiya Seiran in 1/72 - the 1/48 will be a beauty when you've built her. The 'Jack' is another one I'd like to build. Sounds like you've got some great kits in your stash. There's some very cool colour schemes for the 'Val'!

 

[yak face]

Ajay ,the Val is the hasegawa mould reboxed by revell , and its a superb kit, but it can be found for less than half the price of a hasegawa boxing!! The seiran just fascinates me, the idea of a submarine carrying three of them folded up in a 4m dia tube/hangar is incredible!! The idea was to surface near the target then unfold and catapult them off to drop their bombs , the plan was to attack the locks on the panama canal but the target was changed to an american base in the pacific , and whilst on its way there the sub recieved the news that japan had surrendered, so they never got used, cheers tony

 

[AJay]

We're like-minded Tony, because that subject also fascinates me, too. There's a book about the subject you've mentioned above on Amazon; I've had my eye on it for while, but too many wish lists not enough money! lol The giant subs that carried them are also interesting and worthy of a model (wonder if the do one?). There was something on the news not too long ago about a dive team that discovered one.......exciting stuff indeed!

 

[Dave W]

Tamiya do a 1/350 kit of the giant 1-400 submarine.I believe the real thing was around 400 feet long?.

 

[Dave W]

Hannants sell the sub for £53.99.

 

[AJay]

Dave, that's many weeks' pocket money for the I-400! LOL

 

[yak face]

Thanks alot dave (sarcastically!) now ive got a sub on my wanted list!!LOL, seriously though , i might be tempted if i ever see one half price anywhere. cheers tony