AREA 88 : Kamikaze (Cessna 172)

Technically this kit is pre-assembled... but I think we can do better. 

Now that is going to be a TIGHT fit. The Cessna’s cowling isn’t as round as most propellor planes. 

Let’s take it apart and see what’s what. 

I’ve thinned the inner cowling as much as I dare... will the motor fit? 

It fits, but the engine shaft needs an extension. Maybe not quite that long though... 

Well, it all fits... now to make it look as good as possible in the process. 

Seats painted black and the motor is installed...so far so good... 

Disaster! The tolerance level for the motor is very small and I accidentally got glue in the wrong spot while trying position the motor very precisely. Then I managed to make a huge gouge in the underside and got glue all over the tail. 

Paint mostly stripped and seams (and errors) sanded down. 

Popped the hood a bit... more sanding. 

Looks like there’s a gap on top that’ll need plenty of love too. 

Time to paint the passengers... Shin, Ryoko and her father, Zenzou. 

Ok. Time for a do-over. This time I got a box for the kit. 

The pre-painted sprues inside are all the same as before. 

I used the shaft of a syringe to extend the motor. This will work much better than trying to squeeze it under the cowling. 

Paint has been removed from the main fuselage. A bit of 1200 grit sanding, lots of Tamiya Lacquer thinner and even more cotton swab scrubbing. 

The cabin is packed tight... no room for figures I guess... 

Canopy/upper wing and wheels glued on. 

Placement Preview interlude 

Windows masked and painted.... white. 

Looks like a lot of masking... 

Another test set up. 

Not quite good enough though... some paint bled through. 

Ok... so masking... take two! 

Ok... that takes care of the under-spray... next up... taking care of the overspray. 

More masking... this time covering up the red and touching up the white. 

Success! Or as close to it as I’m allowed to get. 

Still some clear coating and decals to apply, but time to dry fit the base. 

Decals and a tiny bit of weathering... and we’re done! 

There we go! 

I’m pleased with how the tiny little Yamato Airlines logo came out.