KI-27 "Nate" 1/72 scale Haswegawa

 

       Another addition to the "Spats" collection. I always liked pre-war Japanese paint jobs, they doubtless have some recognition significance but I just like the bright colors on the pale gray background. This kit is the usual standard for 1970's Hasegawa, good outline, light surface detail which is mostly raised, good parts fit. The only concern during the build was that the hard plastic had gotten very brittle over the years and began to crack (shades of old Airfix figures came to mind). But a liberal application of superglue blocked the  cracking and things went smoothly enough. 

 

of course I had to include a nail to make the magnetic base work 

the puddle of superglue saved the day when cracks began to show up

 

while squeezing the wing sections together cracks began to appear, 

little crumbs of plastic fell away, I became worried!

 

this unwelcome development caused much putty and sanding and a significant delay in completion

 

 

while the putty was drying I painted the pilot

 

despite the problems it sure looks good finished

 

 

 

I haven't a clue about that thing on the port wing but it made fitting the decal a bother!

 

and, of course, there are spats!

 

 

the survival of the pitot tube and antennae during gaming might be problematic,

 but I installed them anyways

       A good kit that builds easily and captures the look of the original very well. Buy one that has been made more recently than 1979 and you will likely avoid the plastic problems.