Fokitsubishi Zero-zen

[Tophe]

from http://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php/topic,46069.60.html

My father sent me money unexpectedly for the new year, in case this is his last year (or mine)
I ordered at Unicraft the Kogiken III twin-fuselage and the Mitsubishi Zero twin-boomer (radial Fokker D-XXIII), then a 1/144 F-16 to complete (I will turn it into a tail-sitter), and there was still a little money remaining: a Zwezda Ju-87 1/144. Thanks Daddy!

I am going to start building this Unicraft unknown twin-boomer, with happiness, even if this is never easy...

[Tophe]

Here are the few parts I plan to use:

My goal is to use the radial engines, instead of push-pull with propellers: rather as little jets on the rear lateral sides of the pod, like a twin-boom A-10...

[Tophe]

To explain my project, I show you how Lockheed made the same (not Fokker-Mitsubishi there): I will build like the first (rejected) design below:

[NARSES2]

Ah the delights of Unicraft 

Looking forward to see what you do with this Tophe

[Tophe]

Thanks.
I have started gluing, including spinners (without radial engines) as support for putty:

[Tophe]

I have truncated the wings, as usual:

(Sorry for this heresy, dear PR19_Kit, but I lack room...)

[PR19_Kit]

(Sorry for this heresy, dear PR19_Kit, but I lack room...)

  You're forgiven Tophe, it's OK. 

Those Unicraft 'mouldings' certainly need some clean-up, they're pretty rough!

[NARSES2]

Those Unicraft 'mouldings' certainly need some clean-up, they're pretty rough!

Obviously had a good breakfast Kit ? That's a very polite way of putting it 

[chrisonord]

I think Tophe has found the best thing to do with a Unicraft kit. Closely followed by putting it in a blender.
I shall be watching this one for sure
Chris

[NARSES2]

I think Tophe has found the best thing to do with a Unicraft kit. Closely followed by putting it in a blender.
I shall be watching this one for sure
Chris

 

[Tophe]

Thanks! (it makes me feel like I have the skill to turn Unicraft kits into something... I lack skills about undercarriage, camo painting, canopy frames, decal creation, BUT I have some skill of my own...)

Now I have sawed away the belly air scoop, no pusher radial so no ventral air scoop, this is (almost) logical...

[kerick]

That kit sure looks small! Carry on my friend, this looks very interesting.   

[Tophe]

Thanks.
Now 3 more pictures, going on:
- the radial cowlings are different for pusher and tractor what is no problem, but for my twin-jet, this will be port/starboard asymmetry: weird! (I like it)
- the first sanding is done but many imperfect points require putty again
- so: putty again on the pod (first part, starboard)

[Tophe]

Sanding seems finished then gluing the first little big jet:

[Tophe]

Well advanced: