Nakajima Kikka (AZ Model)
![Album image #1 Album image #1](/albums/img/0/6/0/1457060-10105-40-pristine.jpg)
Not much choice if you want to build a Kikka. I will make the prototype however, not this what-if silliness.
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Not a lot of parts - moulded with the typical AZ short-run quality.
![Album image #3 Album image #3](/albums/img/0/6/1/1457061-10105-40-720.jpg)
And here are the rest of the bits.
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The kit decals (upper left) and those from the old MPM kit. The PE fret is from NH Detail in Sofia, Bulgaria.
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The photoetch seat is a bit nicer than the kit part.
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NH Detail provide a lot of greeblies to enhance the office.
![Album image #7 Album image #7](/albums/img/0/6/7/1457067-10105-47-720.jpg)
The instrument panel and film from NH seem quite nice. I added some decals from the spares box to tart it up a bit.
![Album image #8 Album image #8](/albums/img/0/6/8/1457068-10105-94-720.jpg)
The levers look like matchsticks - but those are the colours shown in the Monogram monograph on the Kikka, which are colour photos of the surviving airframe.
![Album image #9 Album image #9](/albums/img/0/6/9/1457069-10105-10-720.jpg)
Apparently there were no shoulder harnesses, just lap belts.
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The cockpit assembly can be added after the fuselage halves are together.
![Album image #11 Album image #11](/albums/img/0/7/3/1457073-10105-95-720.jpg)
A bit of weight up front.
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A bit of putty...
![Album image #13 Album image #13](/albums/img/0/7/5/1457075-10105-85-720.jpg)
...here and there. You can also see that I've added completely fictitious details to the empty gear bays.
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Mr. Hobby IJN Dark Green on top and IJN grey underneath. A really boring paint job.
![Album image #15 Album image #15](/albums/img/0/8/1/1457081-10105-60-720.jpg)
The only stickers were the hinomaru in six spots. The prototype had no other markings that can be seen in surviving photos.
![Album image #16 Album image #16](/albums/img/0/8/2/1457082-10105-85-720.jpg)
I did some modulation of the green, but this aircraft made only one flight so it wasn't heavily weathered.
![Album image #17 Album image #17](/albums/img/0/8/3/1457083-10105-55-720.jpg)
I made a colossal mistake by leaving the area behind the cockpit primer grey - it should be dark green. Too late now!
![Album image #18 Album image #18](/albums/img/0/8/4/1457084-10105-47-720.jpg)
I added the venturi tube on the starboard side. PE parts from NH Detail are used for the small antenna in front of the windscreen and the tail skid.
![Album image #19 Album image #19](/albums/img/0/8/5/1457085-10105-99-720.jpg)
The landing gear doors are photoetch from NH Detail. Much nicer than the kit parts.
![Album image #20 Album image #20](/albums/img/0/8/6/1457086-10105-66-720.jpg)
The Kikka's only flight occurred on the day after the Hiroshima bombing.
![Album image #21 Album image #21](/albums/img/0/8/7/1457087-10105-79-720.jpg)
The head-on shot shows the Kikka's gull wing design nicely.
Comentarii
30 24 April 2023, 22:16
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I just finished the AZ Model kit of the Nakajima Kikka. Despite the title on the box, the Kikka never received a designation such as "J9N" - only "Kikka." Japan's first jet fighter, it bore a superficial resemblance to the Me 262 but was a much smaller aircraft. The Kikka only made one test flight (the day after the Hiroshima bombing) for about 40 minutes or so. It was heavily damaged in a subsequent aborted attempt to take-off with rocket pod assist and never flew again. There is a surviving airframe at Udvar-Hazy which is being restored for display.
The model is a typical short-run kit. Luckily I was able to find a nice photoetch sheet from NH Detail in Sofia, Bulgaria so I could add some details. At the end of the day, not a great kit and not my best work (by a long shot). But if you want a 1:72 Kikka, this is probably the easiest way to do it. Cheers, Bill
24 April 2023, 22:57
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Excellent job all'round 👍🏻
I wish I had the etch set when I build mine, it takes it to another level
28 April 2023, 08:45
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Thanks mates!
@Jan - the etch set really improved the kit. I only wish I had a vacuform canopy that I could easily open up so you could see the cockpit. I thought about cutting open the kit's injected canopy, but it is fairly thick and I didn't want to make a mistake and ruin it as it was all I had.
I used to have the old MPM kit of the Kikka in my stash (even more basic than this one) but I sold it. I think the AZ kit is still available, so it is the simplest way to get a 1:72 Kikka. Better yet, look for the 1:48 Kikka from Fine Molds. I've heard that's the best one of all.
Cheers, Bill
1 May 2023, 20:38
Album info
1:72 AZ Model kit