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Aichi D3A1 Val in 1/48

Heavens Eagle

Heavens Eagle

Well-known member
The Arizona has become such a long term build that no way will it be finished even by Dec 7th 2017. Thus as I started this build I needed to at least get something done (and I really like the Japanese ribbon that I made) so here is something I hope can be finished by the deadline.

This is an older Hasegawa kit of the Val in 1/48th scale. After some of the problems I have had with Eduard PE on the T-90 I am going to pass on the little PE set available and just build it OOB with possibly some hand made corrections if needed.

Here is the start set.

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I am going to try and do a little start this weekend. It just depends on how wrapped up I get in the T-90 which I restarted a couple of weeks ago.
 
A great model. Had a good time building one and now one of my favorites. Here's a web site for the ordinance. Gary http://www.j-aircraft.com/research/bill_sanborn/phmod21.pdf


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And another great site: http://www.aviationofjapan.com/2008/12/d3a1-colours-at-pearl-harbor.html




D3A1 Colours at Pearl Harbor

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nxN_vjldtng/STsCj3gVL-I/AAAAAAAAAzE/4S4V6LzQhuI/s1600/D3A1_1.jpg




Japanese aviation researcher Jim Lansdale has published an exacting and revealing examination of Aichi D3A1 dive bomber casualties at Pearl Harbor at j-aircraft.com including measured Munsell colour values from extant aircraft artifacts.



The Munsell values as listed in the article are rendered above with the closest FS595b comparison value shown beneath each chip together with its DE2000 difference calculation. A calculation of 2.0 or less equals a close match. In two examples where the closest FS equivalents are poor matches I have included a comparison to 16350 but it is not the closest match.




The first two plates show the variegated Munsell values taken from a single artifact together with the calculated average (9th chip). The third plate shows the two Munsell values cited from a visual assessment of a metal fragment from the same aircraft by Robert C Mikesh - the original colour said to lie between the two. The last value is from another metal artifact.




As far as modelling paints go, and without going into complex mixes but allowing for scale effects, here are a few starters:




Vallejo 71023 Camouflage Beige 'Hemp' is already in the ballpark, but may require a little lightening for "scale effect".

Polly Scale F414317 or F110082 'Concrete' are also in the ballpark, but a little lighter and greyer.

An approximate Gunze (GSI Creos) mix would be 50% H70 'RLM02 Grau' and 50% H336 'Hemp'.

For their 1997 1/48th scale D3A1 kit, Hasegawa suggest the following Mr Color mix: 50% #55 'Khaki' + 30% #13 'Neutral Grey' + 10% #4 'Yellow' + 10% #1 'White'

For Humbrol try adding 62 Matt 'Leather' to 40 Gloss 'Pale Grey' in a 2:8 ratio.

White Ensign Models Colourcoats ACJ17 'Nakajima Amber Grey (Ame-iro)' is a little too strong and yellow, whilst ACJ16 'Mitsubishi Grey-Green' is closer but a tad too grey. Somewhere in between these two maybe?

Revell Silk-Matt 362 'Schilfgrün' (Reed Green/RAL 6013) is perhaps a little too green but comes very close to the appearance of the Lovell sample when dry. The green of this Revell colour is subtle and only becomes apparent in juxtaposition to the browner hues.




Greg Springer has also posted a precise Testors Model Master mix for Munsell 2.5 Y 5/3 at j-aircraft.com




Many thanks as always to Ken Glass for providing the fractional Munsell notations and to Jim Lansdale for sharing the data with us.




Image credit: Rendered colour chips © Straggler 2008


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Sorry for over stuffing, can't wait to see what you do with yours.
 
Thanks for the info and links Gary. It is good to know I picked a decent kit. Unfortunately all that stuff on the paint color doesn't really tell me anything as I have no real reference point. The olive green color samples don't relate. :idonno

What i am planning is to paint the darker clored plane with the bright red tail. I am figuring that these are early war planes and even if used somewhat, were all probably highly maintained, cleaned, and painted for the Pearl Harbor mission.

So no chipping or heavy fading. Some light wear around access doors and cockpit access. Not much weathering or heavy staining (until after the mission).
 
It's not really olive, but close to panzer yellow or mud color. Your right about the weathering. The Vals and Kates were painted just before Peal Harbor with camo paints from the bases where they were training. I'll try to find the article on that. The color I used was called I3 I think.
Gary

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http://plaza.rakuten.co.jp/zerosenochibo/diary/?ctgy=30&wwparam=1472495016

http://www.j-aircraft.org/smf/index.php?topic=6676.0

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The one I intend to do is the one in the box art which supposedly is more of a green color. But then I don't know squat about WW2 Japanese aircraft.

That site you linked was more confusing than anything as the color samples seemed to be variants of the same color so which one was right? :idonno

I do appreciate your input Gary! Much better before than after it's done. (y)
 
I'm still looking for the article. I have it printed at home. The green is IJN green. A dark blueish green. Gary
 
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