This is my second build of this kit. The first time was over thirteen years ago, although I think I tried to build it at least once in between, and ended up tossing it. I built it this time because I wanted something to try a NMF on.

It is a pretty simple kit, and did not go together nearly as well as more modern Tamiya kits. Apparently, Tamiya has learned a thing or two since the 1970's, when this kit was introduced. I primed with Brite Touch Gray Primer, an automotive primer. The NMF was Gaia EX-07 Silver. It was definitely too bright. That paint may be suitable for small parts, such as landing gear, but it did not work well for an overall color. Also, I did not do nearly enough prep work, as there are numerous rough spots on the surface. The red on the fin was Mr. Color C-81 Russet, which was recommended somewhere as a substitute for the red in RAF roundels. Since the Japanese insignia appears to me as very similar, I thought the red on the fin would match the insignia. For the antenna and tires, I used Auto Borne Sealer Black.

The spinner and propellor blades were painted a Tamiya mix to represent FS34102. The mix I used was XF-5:3 + XF-13:3 + XF-2:1, which I found on the now-defunct IPMS Dayton Tamiya mix page (link to my copy). I wanted a medium green, based on information on this plane found on this page. I like the way it turned out. I did not pain the wing tips red, despite what the page on Arawasi's page states, as I was not sure if it should appear on both top and bottom. Also, I was getting tired of this kit.

This kit instructions had you paint the drop tanks aluminum, but, based on a brief note on this page, I used AMMO by Mig 125 Gold Yellow (RLM04). I used the kit decals.

Page last updated June 15, 2023.