Mitsubishi
G3M3 "NELL" Type 96 Mk23
IJN Torpedo Bomber (Genzan Air Fleet; attack on Force "Z", 12/10/41)
LS Plastics 1:72; upgraded
by Matt Stein
This is my completed Nell:
Click on Image to Enlarge
She is outfitted, marked and
camouflaged (within the bounds of artistic leeway) to depict one of the
torpedo-fitted aircraft of the Genzan Air Fleet, which sank Repulse and Prince of Wales at the outbreak of the Pacific War.
Click on Image to Enlarge
This build incorporates several, major new advances in my modeling skills, including heat-forming of thermoplastic clear parts;
replacing every greenhouse and dome on the airplane. Note the
unprecedented clarity and definition of crew figures and anything(s)
else visible through the canopies - far, far superior to the OOB parts
(which in my kit were extensively flawed, anyway).
Click on Image to Enlarge
This is also the first time I have been able to make an airplane model look like it is actually made of metal. Firstly, I used a latex-spatter technique
to make camouflage flake off, in a highly realistic fashion, exposing a
silver undercoat. In addition, the metallic effect was augmented by
the use of real aluminium tape
for all the canopy framing (see also below). Finally, the RDF loop
aerial is also real metal; rolled steel wire, from a paper clip.
Click on Image to Enlarge
In addition to being, of course, a
devastating weapon against the RN capital ships, the Nell was, in its
own right an inherently graceful and interesting design; appearing to
combine elements of its American contemporaries, the B-17 and B-25
bombers.
Click on Image to Enlarge
Considering its (40-year) age, the LS
mold is really quite good - however its crew figures were limited only
to three in the cockpit, itself (as well as all the gun positions)
lacking almost completely in detail. To mitigate both problems, I
obtained from my parts box all 7 crew members; to place (at least) one
face behind each clear part - and simultaneously provide interest while
blocking further visibility into the bare interior.
Click on Image to Enlarge
The thermoplastic clear parts require
some sort of stick-on canopy framing, and HVAC tape - made of real
aluminium (foil) - was found to be a near-perfect solution, given some
simple prior preparation
of its surface. Model enamel then sticks to it fairly well - and leaves
highly realistic chipping wherever it doesn't - and painted- vs bare
aluminum areas were planned so as to further distract from interior
visibility as needed.
Click on Image to Enlarge
The aerial torpedo, a key feature of the build, was missing from my (open-box) kit, however a spares-bashed replacement - complete with counter-rotating props - was simple and, IMHO, effective.
Click on Image to Enlarge
The ancient kit decals failed - not by
disintegrating, but by separating from the backing as stiff,
plastic-like plates! So all makrings were painstakingly cut from other
spares, and laid down with heavy use of Testors decal solution - the
"stronger" formula - which still proved inadequate for many, notably
the tail codes, which were "scratch-bashed" from another sheet. This
was particularly curious, as the hinomarus - from exactly the same
(Monogram 1/48 Zero) sheet - all set quite well, ultimately.
Some difficulties also with the white stripes, will probably mean
(at least some) future decal replacement for this build. For the time
being, however, she is now fully complete as intended.
(Appended below, as "responses", are the installments which tracked
progress of this build, as well as any and all of your
comments/additons, in reply. I hope you enjoyed this presentation.
Cheers,
-Matty)
Back to ModelFleet
