RIP Dr Frank Mitchell

AOJ's Texas correspondent Mark Smith has alerted me to the death on the 13th October of Dr Frank Mitchell, 89, whose beautiful scratchbuilt 1/32 scale Nakajima B4N1 Prototype model was featured here in July 2015 courtesy of Ken Glass.

Mark has kindly provided a link to Dr Mitchell's obituary here. And from that, charting his full life and family,:-

'Beyond his professional life, Frank's true passions lay in working with his hands. His love and skill for making intricate and extraordinarily realistic model airplanes was unmatched, with seven of his creations displayed in the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum.'

A special skill and leaving a legacy to be appreciated.

Image credit: © 2015 Ken Glass with permission of Dr Frank Mitchell

Clear Prop Models 1/72 Curtiss Hawk 75-M

Another kit of related interest to be released next month is the Clear Prop Models fixed undercarriage Curtiss Hawk 75 presented as the Hawk 75-M with three (?) Chinese markings options plus an Argentinian example. But nearly thirty quid for a small single engined fighter - ouch!

Curtiss Hawk monoplanes for China were explored by AoJ back in 2013 here and here but I dare say the punditry has probably moved on since then. The kit appears to include options for the 'Hawk Special', also known as the 'China Demonstrator', NR1276, in natural metal finish with Republic of China Air Force markings and the Curtiss logo, '75' reportedly flown by Chennault and photographed in both a glossy, pristine condition and much weathered as depicted in the Clear Prop box art and by the superb built-up model, and another camouflaged Chinese example '2501' of the 25th PS. The Argentine subject is NR1277, also in natural metal finish with Argentinian roundels and rudder 'flag'. I hope the 'Chinese blue' is printed on the decals as shown in the profiles and not too light or, heaven forbid, too turquoise!

The fixed leg Hawks have infinite charisma and evocation in their Sino-Japanese air war guise as hopefully the two AoJ articles demonstrate and the Clear Prop presentation is to be welcomed. Previous kits of this variant and in this scale are by RS Models in resin and Special Hobby injection moulded plastic in limited edition format in 2003. 

Image credit: All © 2024 Clear Prop Models via HLJ 

Arma Hobby Announce New Hayabusa II Kit in 1/72 Scale

Arma Hobby has announced the release of a new tool Nakajima Ki-43-II Hayabusa 'Oscar' kit in 1/72 scale, expected to become available in November. Two of the expected sprue frames are shown below. 

These suggest that both the outward facing and thrust exhaust pipes are included. The cowling appears to be multi part although the front rim and engine parts are not revealed. Initial markings options included in the kit are for three subjects as shown below.

1. Nakajima Ki-43-II Hayabusa of 3rd Chutai, Hiko Dai 59 Sentai, New Guinea 1943-44. Presumed to have been flown by the Chutai leader Capt Kenjiro Kobayashi

2. Nakajima Ki-43-II Hayabusa of 3rd Churai, Hiko Dai 54 Sentai, attributed to the Chutai leader Capt Hisashi Koshiishi, Paramushir, Kuriles 1944. (More on 54's wandering Chutai colours to follow!)

3, Nakajima Ki-43-II Hayabusa training aircraft of Hiko Dai 71 Sentai Hofu Airfield, Japan, late 1944. This unit was Hayate equipped but used the Hayabusa for training purposes during work up. The reference photo and caption for this aircraft in Model Art No.395 suggest that the Homeland Defence 'bandages' might have been overpainted.

Some renders from Arma Hobby are shown below.

Cowl flaps are shown open in these images but hopefully closed version parts will also be included. A new state of the art Hayabusa kit in this scale is welcome and surely a 1/48 scale release must follow (!). The clean cut 1/72 Hasegawa kit is now 42 years old and has the dreaded raised panel line detail whilst the Special Hobby kit is now 15 years old and attracts a mixed reception.

With thanks to Zbigniew Malicki and Arma Hobby for these previews.

Image credit: All ©  2024 Arma Hobby.