Nakajima Ki-84 Frank

by Robert Ferrero

Hasegawa's 1/48 scale Ki-84 Frank is now available online from Squadron.com

Here is a selection of photos showing my recently completed Hasegawa Nakajima Ki 84 Hayate (Frank). This is a jewel of a kit, with a beautifully detailed cockpit that really doesn't call for any after market goodies. Unfortunately, this is another subject that seals the cockpit detail into a small package that is difficult to see clearly once the fuselage halves go together.

This subject was built straight from the box, with the exception of CMK navigation lights and True Details resin wheels.

Upper surface colors used were Model Master Imp. Army Green, post shaded with a touch of flat black added to the mix. Undersides were painted using Gunze Imp Underside Gray. A portion of the interior received my custom mix of Nakajima Interior Green. Yellow ID wing bands were shot with AeroMaster ID Orange Yellow enamel.

After decal application and a sealing coat of Future, the airframe was shot with a couple thin coats of AeroMaster Flat acrylic. Although I did undercoat the entire surface with a coat of Alclad II Aluminum, I chose to simulate conservative paint chipping with a silver pencil. After carefully drilling a small hole in the antenna with a pin vise, I attached the remainder of the rigging using nylon thread.

The only piece of the puzzle left to complete were the exhaust stains. This was accomplished by shooting thin layers of Pollyscale Dirt and Gunze Soot.

This was a project that started off as what I anticipated to be a three or four day build. I should know by now that, in my world, there is no such thing. The project took a couple weeks to complete, but the end results were quite satisfying.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

Model, Images and Text Copyright © 2003 by Robert Ferrero
Page Created 10 May, 2003
Last Updated 25 March, 2004

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