Aichi D3A2 “Val” in 1/100 from Aaron Murphy

[Butelczynski]

Originally Posted by Robotaleem

That's what she said

She seems to get around a lot...

[Robotaleem]

Originally Posted by Butelczynski

She seems to get around a lot...

lol..............

[Rata]

Originally Posted by MichaelS

Also known as X-Acto #11 attached to an X-Acto knife. Don't be like Rata --- grab the right end.!!

So that's what I was doing wrong. But you can talk- you're the one with bloodstains all over ya fuselage sport!

[Rata]

.....and long live 1/100!

[MichaelS]

Murph's Val finally done!! It has been a long haul. Life just kept interrupting. This is Aaron Murphy's D3A1 "Val" from the attack on Pearl Harbor. Arguably this carried very first bomb to be dropped on that "Day of Infamy".

I found this to be a great little kit. Aaron designed it to be 1:33 but my twisted mind wouldn't settle for that. This is my now standard 1:100.

A few things I learned which to me is a lot of what modeling is all about.

1. I used styrofoam formers for the first time and was very happy with the result. I used a take out container that is approx 1/8" thick. In this scale this allows you to have the former join both fuselage sections perhaps doing away with joiners. I used joiners on this but may try without on my next build.

2. I will never use "low odor" Krylon Matte spray again as a pre spray. Nothing will stick to it!

3. I have some "Uhu" glue and all in all it has its good uses. It will stick almost immediately but unlike superglue it gives you a little time to position before it sets. Yes it does "string" but with some care and practice that is controllable.

4. I am just not a "wheel pants" kind of guy. These things are way tiny in 1:100. The bomb is a piece of bamboo skewer sanded to shape with the fins and mount added. The prop shaft if Plastruct styrene.

This was a test build for Aaron. Pericles is also doing the Midway version. I did run into one problem with the wing fillets but am fairly certain that was my fault. Once Pericles finishes his Aaron may make adjustments.

As they say in the rags "Coming soon to a store near you".

For those interested here is my complete build album in Google photos.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/S1ak8t3j4F8LGuhXA

[Rata]

Excellent work big fella on an important (but largely neglected as a paper subject) Japanese WWII bomber. Full marks for Mr. Murphy for filling this gap.

I can almost hear the little guy in the cockpit shouting 'Tora! Tora! Tora!'


長生きします 1/100!

[Butelczynski]

Just like scaling up,you can only scale model down so far before you will run into problems.That's why for single engine models I prefer 1/50 or larger scale and do multi engine models in 1/100.

Man,I do admire your patience with tiny parts like that.Effect is pretty good,especially on wheel spats.I did few of those on W.Lysander and even when much larger they are a challenge.

[Vinalssergio155]

Magnificent MichaelS, beautiful model for your shelf.

[Don Boose]

Outstanding job, Michael!

I am often defeated by wheel pants, but yours look very good to me.

The head-on image shows that everything is straight and true and square.

Don

[Rata]

Originally Posted by Don Boose

The head-on image shows that everything is straight and true and square.

Including his military inspection standard fingernails!