N1K2-J Shiden Kai, Halinski

[Falco]

Roomy cockpit... too bad some details will be hidden by the airframe.

[birder]

Thanks Falco I don’t like covering up these cockpit details but the pictures help me recall them and I try to make the canopy open to peek a bit I also printed them lighter in color a bit so is not as dark later

[ricleite]

You are doing a very fine work on that cockpit, Glen
It is hard to get decent pictures of the cockpit after closing the canopy but, with the model on your hands, you can still see a lot! The canopy of this plane is both small and heavily framed. Leaving it in the open position may indeed be a good idea.

[birder]

Thanks ricleite, it is fun to see the Halinski design details, and I have to say it's fun to put together, and some will be visible, since I recall the parts myself pretty well it will be good to peek into even though limited opening.

[smithdr]

That is lovely, Glen...maybe all this talk of LEDs may be in your future as well...???

I am following yours as I plan on putting that same kit together when I get some more spine!

Dan

[Isaac]

Here are some pictures I took of the Shiden Kai yesterday at the Air Force Museum before my volunteer shift. I have no access to the cockpit though.








Isaac

[birder]

Awesome! Thank you Isaac! I always notice how small the tires on IJN planes were.. the detail shots are really cool

[birder]

Present progress, closing up the cockpit and beginning to work the surrounding skins. I attach as many skins as I can before putting in formers, I'm not great at hiding seams otherwise... happy with my new printer and coloring looks nice to me, removed alot of peeled paint appearance of the Hal weathering, which is definitely accurate from a historical standpoint as none of these Shiden Kai's were over 6 months old but many had lost the original colors by the end of the war, I just think this looks cooler to me.

[birder]

Fuselage sections going together I am very happy with results so far for this, but Halinski sections fit like no other and this makes it a bit easier. Started by the tail and worked forward putting in formers while working toward cockpit.

[ricleite]

Originally Posted by birder

...Halinski sections fit like no other...

...and the color markings fit just as well!