Nakajima Ki-43 - Halinski - 1/33

[scissorsandplanes]

If only I could do such a nice build in 1/100 scale

well done

[dje]

Great build, as always

[ricleite]

Thanks, friends
@ Scissorsandplanes - it would be really challenging at 1/100!

Skinning the wings proved problematic. The halves didn’t close properly in the centerline. Not at the front but at the back. The solution was somewhat radical: remove close to 1mm of the rear spar, both left and right of the central part. Fortunately, there were no nasty consequences for the wing skin finish.

[YOAVHOZMI]

Hey Ricardo

You continue to amaze me with your clean and accurate building.

YOAV

[ricleite]

@ YOAV - you know perfectly how to make it accurate and clean, too

Today’s pictures show the ailerons, with the already mentioned color difference, and the landing gear doors.

[Don Boose]

The wing looks quite beautiful.

I would expect the fabric control surfaces to look different from the painted or natural metal wing surfaces.

Don

[Erik Zwaan]

Ricardo, haven't been checking in regularly in the past weeks but I'm truly impressed by your skills. Such a clean build and what a marvellously detailed engine assembly. I wonder if Halinski's designers are auronautical engineers or something, they surely pay attention to the wing structure!

Regards,
Erik

[ricleite]

@ Don - yes, the different material is a good explanation for not having the same finish. The same happens on the horizontal stabilizer but not on the rudder. Maybe this last one had metal skin...
@ Erik - I can assure you that the gloss paper didn't ease the engine assembly! On some kits, Halinski models intake and exhaust ducts as well. The Sea Gladiator is a good example. The kit is just frightening!!!

The front fuselage has recesses for the engine exhausts. They make assembly tricky. On the third picture, you can see how I fixed the antenna mast and the spent cartridges dispenser ducts.

[smithdr]

Tricky indeed but lovely all the same! Great work, Ricardo...
Dan

[ricleite]

Thanks, Dan

The engine cowling is not as rounded as it may look at first sight. The air intake and the gun ports make it harder to assemble. The good point is that the engine fits inside, which is not as obvious as it should be…