Igor Kochan's RoCAF Pursuit Duo in 1/48 Scale

I am delighted to be able to present this pair of superb 1/48 scale models of two Republic of China Air Force ex-USAAF fighters crafted by Igor Kochan, a Slovakian living in Prague, Czech Republic, and thanks to the kind facilitation of correspondent Marian Holly. I really like the dropped flaps on both these models but especially on the P-47, whilst the RoCAF insignia and striped rudders present attractive alternative schemes. Igor describes the builds in his own words.

'If you ask, why RoCAF? I have to go back to 1988. While visiting a friend, I saw a 1/72 scale model of the Dewoitine D-510 in his collection sporting white sun in a blue circle on its wings. What is that? Until then, I had never seen anything like it, nor did I know that aircraft with this insignia even existed. At that time, behind the Iron Curtain, information was very scarce. However, this visit inspired me, and I became interested in Chiang Kai-shek's air force. There was no turning back, and my focus has since been on the Kuomintang era to the present.

P-51D Mustang

'I used the 1/48 Eduard model which is highly detailed and accurately shaped. The replica represents an aircraft handed over to the RoCAF by a USAAF unit after the end of combat operations in the Chinese theater.

'I upgraded the model with a photo-etched instrument panel, seat belts, resin wheels, and open gun bays - all from Eduard. The markings were airbrushed using Omask stencils, while the unit emblem and engine cowling numbers come from a DK Decals sheet. The model is painted entirely with Mr. Paint brand lacquers. The weathering was done using Umton oil paints.

P-47D Thunderbolt

'This model represents the Republic P-47D-30, 43rd Fighter Group, RoCAF, from 1947, which I modified from 1/48 Tamiya’s P-47D-28 Bubbletop kit. The main difference lies in the added dorsal fin extension and the repositioning of the landing gear well towards the wing's trailing edge. I used parts from Tamiya’s P-47M kit for these modifications. The model is enhanced with an Eduard LOOK set for the cockpit, a canopy mask, landing gear wheels, and decals—all from Eduard. The surface details include positive rivets from HGW, plus a few personal modifications.

'The markings and serial numbers were airbrushed using Omask stencils, while the unit insignia on the engine cowling comes from a Bestfong decal sheet. I used Mr. Paint for the camouflage and the weathering was accomplished with Umton oils and AK pastels.'

With special thanks to Igor for sharing these images of his beautiful work and to Mario for facilitating their feature here. I hope Igor will share more such RoCAF gems in due course. The Kuomintang (KMT) is the National Peoples Party of China (中國國民黨) currently represented in the multi-party, democratic government of Taiwan

Image credit: All photos © 2025 Igor Kochan via Marian Holly.

Blog Makeover

After 17 years presenting this blog a change is necessary. The paucity of comments and the occasional weaponised comment (those pointedly ignoring the work done by the blog author, not least in wrestling with Google's 'improved' interface) have lately been discouraging. Most blog entries take several hours to format and present, the preparation for sharing of colour data often longer. So I'm turning from Japanese aviation to a secondary but equally passionate  interest in the history of cavalry and the British cavalry in particular. 

The blog will be re-named 'Dragoon Guards Blogminster Journal' covering historical cavalry subjects - and especially the horses - from Roman times to WW2. I hope that it will attract an increased and more encouraging readership. 

'Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah!'

Image credit:- Heading image James Thomas Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan, by Sir Francis Grant; Middle image Trooper W E Leedham, 6th Iniskilling Dragoons, my great grandfather; Lower image the Scots Guards cheering Queen Victoria at Buckingham Palace before their departure to the Crimea, 1854