Airfix 1/72 Nakajima B5N1 'Kate'

[Narayan]

Greetings!

My internet homepage is the Airfix site and for some time now it has been telling me to purchase this:



Who am I to argue?

The Nakajima B5N aircraft were carrier torpedo bombers used by the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. They were due to be replaced in the early 1940's but when Japan entered the war they ended being used for their duration in the conflict. Airfix released a new tool version of this kit last year which was the latter version of the aircraft the B5N2. This kit has new boxing and a few new parts mainly around the front of the fuselage, engine and cowling.

________________
Narayan

Impressive. Most impressive. Obi-Wan has taught you well. You have controlled your fear. Now, release your anger. Only your hatred can destroy me.

A:B 2016 9:8 2015 53:07 2014 21:04 2013 39:12 2012 20:05 2011 11:10 2010 44:12 2009 19:16 2008 16:03 Overall 314:82

[Narayan]

The kit itself, like all Airfix new tools, is quite detailed. This means quite a busy instruction leaflet which gives various options for the aircraft. That not only includes the armament but also the wing position.















The decals are by Cartograf which I'm led to believe are very good.



________________
Narayan

Impressive. Most impressive. Obi-Wan has taught you well. You have controlled your fear. Now, release your anger. Only your hatred can destroy me.

A:B 2016 9:8 2015 53:07 2014 21:04 2013 39:12 2012 20:05 2011 11:10 2010 44:12 2009 19:16 2008 16:03 Overall 314:82

[Narayan]

With over 100 pieces this is quite a kit for 1/72.





In keeping with the new tool Airfix kits it is quite detailed.











So that's the kit. The kids are back at school and I have the day off. So I'm off to the bench.

________________
Narayan

Impressive. Most impressive. Obi-Wan has taught you well. You have controlled your fear. Now, release your anger. Only your hatred can destroy me.

A:B 2016 9:8 2015 53:07 2014 21:04 2013 39:12 2012 20:05 2011 11:10 2010 44:12 2009 19:16 2008 16:03 Overall 314:82

[iggie]

This kit mysteriously arrived at chez iggie too; funny how that happens!

It looks seriously good in't box, and certainly up to the recent high standards (for me anyway, although some have said I have very low standards.... ) of Airfix new tool kits.
I will be watching this with interest!

[Old_Tonto]

Would this one have been used at Pearl Harbour or the later version?

It looks very nice on the sprue.

[Dazzled]

Would this one have been used at Pearl Harbour or the later version?

It looks very nice on the sprue.

The B5N2 was the version in service at the time of Pearl Harbour although, as is often the case, the earlier version was still being used by some units.

[celt]

I dont build Axis aircraft very often, if at all but this has tempted me to give it a bash.

[Barry]

In my collection of 493 built kits, I have only one Japanese aircraft (Mitsubishi G3M 'Nell'). I'm going to get one of these and build it just as a show of appreciation to Airfix for all the good work they are doing.

[celt]

How many built kits did you say,I have space for about twenty and operate on a one on, one in bin system.

[ShaunW]

That is a great looking Airfix new tool Narayan. Over the years I have only built two Japanese aircraft, both of them Zeroes, one the old tool Airfix in 1/72nd and one the old 1/48th offering from Tamiya. Japanese machines carried a wide variety of markings and colour schemes and really I'm at a loss to say why I haven't built more Japanese types!

[Barry]

Well Celt, I'm fortunate enough to have a 10x25 model room with four display cases and I've been building at a rate of 10-15 a year (all 1/72) for roughly 47 years. I've binned a few over the years, but I'm still running out of room in my cases.

[celt]

Wow, I attempt about 20 kits a year,I usually finish about 3.Most are either binned or started and not finished and put away only to be thrown out in a mad clear out later in the year.

[Narayan]

I finished off a very busy office on this aircraft.



I'm doing this one in flight. The instructions would have me put the crew in towards the end of the build. But having done some dry fitting I think it would be best if they go in now. Unfortunately for the poor old rear gunner he had to have surgery on his legs to get him in.





Fuselage and tail wings next.

________________
Narayan

Impressive. Most impressive. Obi-Wan has taught you well. You have controlled your fear. Now, release your anger. Only your hatred can destroy me.

A:B 2016 9:9 2015 53:07 2014 21:04 2013 39:12 2012 20:05 2011 11:10 2010 44:12 2009 19:16 2008 16:03 Overall 314:83

[MarkyM607]

Looking smart.

[iggie]

Very neat!

Can the rear gunner face rearwards and hence avoid qualifying for the next Paralympics?