Fine Molds 1/48 Kugisho D4Y1/D4Y2 "Judy"

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planemaker
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Fine Molds 1/48 Kugisho D4Y1/D4Y2 "Judy"

Post by planemaker »

Hi there! This is my entry into the The Rising Sun GB. :) In fact this is my second japanese aircraft. :wtf: The first one was a Tamiya 1/48 Mitsubishi J2M Raiden that I built about two years ago and brush painted of course. Anyway, I got this kit on xmas from santa. It's okay kit, with a bit flash here and there and lacking some detail almost everywhere. The bad thing is that the instructions are almost only printed in japanese! :eeek: I think it's gonna be quite a tuff build. It's a nice subject, something less known and I'm looking forwards to building this thing.

History:


The Yokosuka D4Y Suisei (translating to "Comet" and nicknamed "Judy" by the Allies) was a capable dive bomber serving the Imperial Japanese Navy during the Second World War. The system saw some reliability issues in early presentations and suffered heavy losses at the hands of Allied carrier groups but the system performed admirably well thanks to the performance capabilities inherent in the design - this of course at the expense of crew protection and structural armoring.

The D4Y was a single engine, two-crew dive bomber platform. The Mitsubishi MK8P Kinsei 62 radial piston engine found in the D4Y3 model offered up reliability with performance at 357 miles per hour with a ceiling of nearly 35,000 feet. The crew sat in a long greenhouse-type canopy in tandem. Defensive armament consisted of twin 7.7mm machine guns in a forward-fixed position and a single 13.1mm machine gun in a trainable rear cockpit mounting. External ordnance was limited to 1,235 pounds of stores. Overall, the design concept actually stemmed from the German Heinkel He 118, as Japan purchased manufacturing rights for the German type back in 1938.

The D4Y first flew in late 1942 in its dive bomber form designated simply as the D4Y1. The system then appeared shortly thereafter in a reconnaissance form as the D4Y1-C. Before long, the D4Y series was fielded in quantity across several Japanese carrier groups and would see yet another improved version - known as the D4Y2 - appear. This one being fitted with a Atsuta 32 Aichi-brand 1,400hp engine. It was soon found, however, that the aircraft, though performing well in terms of capability, suffered from reliability problems with the new engine. To add insult to injury, the performance gains brought about by the new powerplant were negated to some extent by the fact that crew and fuel protection was not addressed, leading to heavy losses. The D4Y3 addressed the D4Y2's reliability problems with the introduction of the Mitsubishi MK8P Kinsei 62 radial piston engine. By the end of the war, as with most of the IJN's small airframes, the D4Y was made into a dedicated suicide model. This one, a single-seater, was designated as the D4Y4 and fielded in 1945.

Source: http://www.MilitaryFactory.com


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The Kit:


Here is a quick review of the kit:


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To be continued...
Sebastian S.

"You don't know your limits before you tested them."

On the bench:
-Modelsvit 1/72 Tupolev Tu-22KD Blinder (From Russia With Love GB)
-Tamiya 1/20 Lotus 25 Coventry Climax
-Czech Master Resin 1/72 Fokker C.X Finnish version
...and some other stuff too.


Next projects: Waaaayyyy too much!
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SyntaxModels
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Re: Fine Molds 1/48 Kugisho D4Y1/D4Y2 "Judy"

Post by SyntaxModels »

This is gonna be great! :pop: :pop:
- Leo

My Motto: "Eh, that'll do, wait a minute, this is my model I can do whatever the hell I want with it! Yes that's a good excuse!"

Visit my YouTube Channel!
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MadDaddy
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Re: Fine Molds 1/48 Kugisho D4Y1/D4Y2 "Judy"

Post by MadDaddy »

Looks like a nice kit.
On the bench
Meng 1/72 Mansyu Ki-98
Moebius Models 1/32 Battlestar Galactica Colonial Viper MkVII
Tamiya 1/72 Mitsubishi A6M2b Zero Fighter Zeke (Rising Sun GB)
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planemaker
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Re: Fine Molds 1/48 Kugisho D4Y1/D4Y2 "Judy"

Post by planemaker »

Finally an update! :banana: Sorry for the long wait. Time is just too fast! :crazy: So here is some progress I have done:


Cockpit built up.
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A few parts added to the fusulage halves.
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More parts added to the cockpit.
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A few parts to be added.
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Got this a few days ago. :)
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Sprayed in Nakajima Interior Green.
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Some detail painting here and there.
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Cockpit drybrushed and gloss-coated.
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Then I gave the cockpit a wash with some Mig olis.
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Some bits'n bobs to be added to the cockpit.
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I put in some leftover PE seatbelts from random kits.
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Rest of the parts added to the cockpit and glued to the fusulage half.
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Bomb attatched into the bombbay. Sadly it won't be seen.
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Fusulage halves glued together.
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To be continued...
Sebastian S.

"You don't know your limits before you tested them."

On the bench:
-Modelsvit 1/72 Tupolev Tu-22KD Blinder (From Russia With Love GB)
-Tamiya 1/20 Lotus 25 Coventry Climax
-Czech Master Resin 1/72 Fokker C.X Finnish version
...and some other stuff too.


Next projects: Waaaayyyy too much!
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Re: Fine Molds 1/48 Kugisho D4Y1/D4Y2 "Judy"

Post by Aliktren »

Lovely build

Just fyi if you have a smartphone you can use an app like google translate on japanese instructions (translates using the camera) Not perfect but pretty good.
stuff is being built... very slowly....
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planemaker
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Re: Fine Molds 1/48 Kugisho D4Y1/D4Y2 "Judy"

Post by planemaker »

Thanks for the comment! :cheers2:
Aliktren wrote:
Just fyi if you have a smartphone you can use an app like google translate on japanese instructions (translates using the camera) Not perfect but pretty good.
I don't think my smartphone is smart enough to do that! :?
Sebastian S.

"You don't know your limits before you tested them."

On the bench:
-Modelsvit 1/72 Tupolev Tu-22KD Blinder (From Russia With Love GB)
-Tamiya 1/20 Lotus 25 Coventry Climax
-Czech Master Resin 1/72 Fokker C.X Finnish version
...and some other stuff too.


Next projects: Waaaayyyy too much!
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Re: Fine Molds 1/48 Kugisho D4Y1/D4Y2 "Judy"

Post by rubegoldberg »

very cool! i had never heard of the judy, but it looks like a good kit and you're off to a fine start!
on the bench: blood, mostly. from where i pound my head.
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Re: Fine Molds 1/48 Kugisho D4Y1/D4Y2 "Judy"

Post by SyntaxModels »

:jd:

This is some stunning attention to detail right here!

Lovely little bits here!

Love all the little mess in the Japanese cockpits in World War 2!

Keep it up mate!
- Leo

My Motto: "Eh, that'll do, wait a minute, this is my model I can do whatever the hell I want with it! Yes that's a good excuse!"

Visit my YouTube Channel!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKvbyv ... DwSd88cMYg
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Re: Fine Molds 1/48 Kugisho D4Y1/D4Y2 "Judy"

Post by planemaker »

Many thanks for your kind words, guys! :D
Sebastian S.

"You don't know your limits before you tested them."

On the bench:
-Modelsvit 1/72 Tupolev Tu-22KD Blinder (From Russia With Love GB)
-Tamiya 1/20 Lotus 25 Coventry Climax
-Czech Master Resin 1/72 Fokker C.X Finnish version
...and some other stuff too.


Next projects: Waaaayyyy too much!
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Re: Fine Molds 1/48 Kugisho D4Y1/D4Y2 "Judy"

Post by DBMiller »

That cockpit is looking excellent!
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Re: Fine Molds 1/48 Kugisho D4Y1/D4Y2 "Judy"

Post by planemaker »

Thanks for your comment DB! :)

A little update this time. More to follow.
I wouldn't say this is a "great" kit. The fit is bad and it lacks lots of surface detail like panellines and rivets. I'll sure add more rivets to it.


Cowling built up and attatched to the fusulage.
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Bombbay doors attatched.
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I drilled out the holes for the machineguns.
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Lower part of the fusulage attatched. The fit was really bad. :bash:
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Big gaps here.
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And the part was even too wide! :eeek:
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Lots of putty and sanding needed.
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I think it's finally good enough.
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Wings glued together.
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Horizontal and vertical stabelizers attatched.
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More filler needed here!
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Sanded smooth.
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Wings attatched.
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And filler in the wingroots of course!
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To be continued...
Sebastian S.

"You don't know your limits before you tested them."

On the bench:
-Modelsvit 1/72 Tupolev Tu-22KD Blinder (From Russia With Love GB)
-Tamiya 1/20 Lotus 25 Coventry Climax
-Czech Master Resin 1/72 Fokker C.X Finnish version
...and some other stuff too.


Next projects: Waaaayyyy too much!
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Re: Fine Molds 1/48 Kugisho D4Y1/D4Y2 "Judy"

Post by Aliktren »

:bow:: at your sanding and filling skills! - great job, enjoying this build :th:
stuff is being built... very slowly....
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planemaker
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Re: Fine Molds 1/48 Kugisho D4Y1/D4Y2 "Judy"

Post by planemaker »

Well, I am back! :banana: And thanks for your reply Ali. :cheers2:
Sorry about the delay on this build, because a month ago I had came to a tougher part of the build, like doing the riveting and vacu-forming the canopy, so I almost lost the mojo. And then I was ill for about a week or so. But I slowly worked my way forwards on the build and now I got it this far.

Not to speak of that I just got a new AB a few days ago, a H&S Infinity CR Plus! :banana: Gonna have a great time with this new tool in the arsenal.

Enough talking there, Here's some progress on the build:


Some filler needed in the wingroots too.
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Then I started vacu-forming the canopy one section at a time using the original kit canopy as a mould. I will use the kit-supplied windshield.
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After I cut out and sanded all the pieces to the vacu-formed canopy I dipped them in a bath of Alclad Aqua Gloss to clear things up.
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Then I started riveting the whole thing using a Trumpeter riveter. (You can see that I had to fill some rivets when the line didn't become straight.) :shifty:
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A little test fit of the vacu-formed canopy. (The windshield is the original kit part.)
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Some bits'n bobs redy for primeing, more to come.
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To be continued...
Sebastian S.

"You don't know your limits before you tested them."

On the bench:
-Modelsvit 1/72 Tupolev Tu-22KD Blinder (From Russia With Love GB)
-Tamiya 1/20 Lotus 25 Coventry Climax
-Czech Master Resin 1/72 Fokker C.X Finnish version
...and some other stuff too.


Next projects: Waaaayyyy too much!
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Re: Fine Molds 1/48 Kugisho D4Y1/D4Y2 "Judy"

Post by shortCummins »

that canopy is really good :bow::
"I'm tall for my height" - "it looks like it was painted by a blind chimpanzee"
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Re: Fine Molds 1/48 Kugisho D4Y1/D4Y2 "Judy"

Post by planemaker »

shortCummins wrote:that canopy is really good :bow::
Thanks! At least it looks better than the original kit canopy. :)
Sebastian S.

"You don't know your limits before you tested them."

On the bench:
-Modelsvit 1/72 Tupolev Tu-22KD Blinder (From Russia With Love GB)
-Tamiya 1/20 Lotus 25 Coventry Climax
-Czech Master Resin 1/72 Fokker C.X Finnish version
...and some other stuff too.


Next projects: Waaaayyyy too much!
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Re: Fine Molds 1/48 Kugisho D4Y1/D4Y2 "Judy"

Post by shortCummins »

planemaker wrote:Thanks for your comment DB! :)

A little update this time. More to follow.
I wouldn't say this is a "great" kit. The fit is bad and it lacks lots of surface detail like panellines and rivets. I'll sure add more rivets to it.
my FineMolds kit is excellent but then its a 2014 release so presumably the've learnt a lot since making this one?
"I'm tall for my height" - "it looks like it was painted by a blind chimpanzee"
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Re: Fine Molds 1/48 Kugisho D4Y1/D4Y2 "Judy"

Post by gustavlekstal »

Mate! I've got no clue what you are doing but it looks damn good! :pop: :pop: :pop: You can loose mojo for less than making those rivets! If one goes wrong you are gonna see it but nobody else! Watch out cause I got a pointed wing spitfire and my Junkers in the making! Might blow this plane out of the sky back to Norway?! :shock: :doh: Anyway take care buddy!
Regards Gustav

Dragon t-34/85 premium mod 44
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Re: Fine Molds 1/48 Kugisho D4Y1/D4Y2 "Judy"

Post by planemaker »

shortCummins wrote:
planemaker wrote:Thanks for your comment DB! :)

A little update this time. More to follow.
I wouldn't say this is a "great" kit. The fit is bad and it lacks lots of surface detail like panellines and rivets. I'll sure add more rivets to it.
my FineMolds kit is excellent but then its a 2014 release so presumably the've learnt a lot since making this one?
This kit is a reboxed 1993-tool version, so it's an old Fine Molds kit. Thats why its quality is so poor. Newer Fine Molds kits are great of what I've heard. :)
Sebastian S.

"You don't know your limits before you tested them."

On the bench:
-Modelsvit 1/72 Tupolev Tu-22KD Blinder (From Russia With Love GB)
-Tamiya 1/20 Lotus 25 Coventry Climax
-Czech Master Resin 1/72 Fokker C.X Finnish version
...and some other stuff too.


Next projects: Waaaayyyy too much!
User avatar
planemaker
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Re: Fine Molds 1/48 Kugisho D4Y1/D4Y2 "Judy"

Post by planemaker »

gustavlekstal wrote:Mate! I've got no clue what you are doing but it looks damn good! :pop: :pop: :pop: You can loose mojo for less than making those rivets! If one goes wrong you are gonna see it but nobody else! Watch out cause I got a pointed wing spitfire and my Junkers in the making! Might blow this plane out of the sky back to Norway?! :shock: :doh: Anyway take care buddy!
Many thanks mr. Gustav! :cheers2: Good luck with those planes, but don't blow them out of the sky, blow them out of the box to the top shelf instead! Can't wait to see your Spit and Stuka builds and smash down a good thread of them both on this forum too. I'll sure follow them!
:pop: :pop: :pop:
And by time you too will learn how things are done here in the hangar. :thumb2:

Take care old school boy, hmmmm, headmaster! :mrgreen:
Sebastian S.

"You don't know your limits before you tested them."

On the bench:
-Modelsvit 1/72 Tupolev Tu-22KD Blinder (From Russia With Love GB)
-Tamiya 1/20 Lotus 25 Coventry Climax
-Czech Master Resin 1/72 Fokker C.X Finnish version
...and some other stuff too.


Next projects: Waaaayyyy too much!
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