Tamiya's 1/48 scale late J1N1-S Gekko
Moonlight Sonata

by Jay Laverty

Tamiya's 1/48 scale Gekko late version is available online from Squadron.com

This is the newest release of the Tamiya 1/48 scale Gekko series, a late version fitted with the less than effective FD-2 radar that generally was removed by Japanese pilots to reduce weight.

This particular model was built using the kit decals as it was an aircraft that I was very anxious to build anyway. Flown by Lt. Shiro Kurotori and WO Juzo Kuramoto, this aircraft racked up an impressive record of B-29 scores, ending the war with the duo achieving Ace status in a single night after downing 5 B-29's and damaging a further 3.

The kit is up to Tamiya's usual high standards in moulding and assembly and would be a superb model built straight from the box.

I chose to take this model a bit further by detailing the cockpit with fusewire and adding some other small details, only missed by Tamiya due to the restrictions of the injection moulding process.

I added framework to the canopy as the entire cockpit would be quite visible modelled open.

The model was painted using White Ensign's Nakajima Green, although I may stick with Xtracolor next time as the finish with White Ensign is matt and having to add gloss varnish only puts more coats on.

Tamiyas decals are a bit thick to put it mildly and alot of Microsol was required to get them to sit properly. After the model was matted down I went to work with the Stardust weathering pigments produced by CMK and found these to be great. I used Dark and Light Earth around the Landing gear with Black Smut ( not a top shelf magazine!) and Light dust being used to recreate exhaust stains. Light dust was then used to further enhance the shading created during the painting stage.

I really enjoyed building this model and I hope you are as pleased with the results as I am. I love my Japanese subjects and you can count on seeing some more from me soon as I plan on doing a series of Night Fighters here.
 

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Model, Images and Text Copyright © 2004 by Jay Laverty
Page Created 23 July, 2004
Last Updated 24 July, 2004

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