Mitsubishi
J2M3 "Raiden" ("81-124"
s/n 3008) 381st Kokutai, Japanese
Navy Air Force Captured at Dewey
Boulevard Manila, Philippines on
Feb 20, 1945
Here is my Hasegawa J2M3
"Jack" in 1/48 scale. The model was built straight out
of the box. The under surface was painted with my home brew
mix of Mitsubishi IJN Grey using Gunze Mr. Color paints. For the upper
surface, I used Mr. Color # 124 for the Mitsubishi Dark Green. The
anti-glare was painted with Mr. Color # 125
Click on
images below to see larger images
I used the kit supplied
hinomarus and tail numbers. They responded well with Mr. Mark
Softer. Once the decals were dry, the model as given a wash and then
weathering was applied.
Although the 381st
Kokutai was not officially assigned in the Philippines, this particular
aircraft, together with another J2M3 "Jack" captured at nearby Nichols
Field could have been "stragglers", under maintenance or were "in
transit" to join their unit which was based at Balikpapan, Borneo when
they were captured. When the aircraft was found at Dewey Boulevard -(Dewey
Blvd. was used as an emergency runway when Nichols Field was frequently
being bombed), the tail codes have been overpainted and some parts
were already missing or "cannibalized" for spares or souvenirs.
I decided to model the aircraft when it was still in its flying state.
Cheers and Happy
Modeling!
Tony
Click on
image below to see larger image
|