Aichi D3A1 Type 99 "Val"

Christopher Mullins
stripped it down, repainted inside and out, I will be making the version from the Zuikaku, but I cannot find any that were Beige like it says in the instructions, on top of that, I like the Grey and Green better anyways, so I repainted it with IJN grey.

Christopher Mullins
Now I know why it says Beige, it is actually now Beige, but a protectant that they sprayed over the aircraft that gives it a golden brown color. Also it says in the instructions the bombs should be Black. This is false according to what I have read because Black bombs were for training. The small bombs are Type 98 #25 land Bombs and are Light Grey, Green nose, Blue Band on the Body, and the fuse should be brass or so. The bigger bomb is a Type 99 #80 Mk 5, an Armor piercing bomb used for capital ships, and should be Light Grey, with a white nose and green on the tip. I got this from Wikipedia, and I know how off it can be, but this looked like descent info. en.wikipedia.org/wik..ld_War_II_navy_bombs

Christopher Mullins
The fuselage stripes in the decals are wrong two, the Zuikaku had two white stripes, the decals are yellow, masking and painting them on. The tail stripes I am not sure about though, they may be right, have to do more research.

Kees Kleijwegt
I will be following this (re)build.
And thanks for the info on the colourcoding of the bombs. It appears my Val is equipped with practice bombs from now on! 🙂

Aichi D3A1 Val | Project by Kees Kleijwegt (1:48)

Christopher Mullins
I had an idea for the caramel brown tone that it is supposed to have. Revell has this clear finish in the cans, and I am thinking if I mix some of that with a little 382 Wood Brown, it may work to give it that brown tone. The downside is that if it doesn't work, I may have to start again from null. DOnt knwo whether I should try it or if I should just leave it like it is.

Kees Kleijwegt
I would try it on a scrap piece to test it? That way you don't risk to ruin it

Christopher Mullins
First I have to wait to get some money so I can go get the paint, pretty sad when you cant afford to spend Euro 3,60 for some paint

Christopher Mullins
Its finished now, it does have a thin coat of beige on it but it is not so noticeable unless you compare a totally grey one to this one. Not everything comes over good on pictures. I also lost the antennae when I was trying ot put it on , It jumped and I looked but had no idea where it went, but found a replacement for it that looks OK.