I built this model back in 2011. From start to finish it took me 18 months. The main turrets traverse and elevate. Plus I added a smoke generator for a bit of extra realism. I was especially pleased with the float plane. It was the last part of the model that I worked on. I was feeling a little sad as I had done as much as I could think of to detail the ship. I looked at the parts for the float plane and saw just a lump of plastic. So armed with my trusty dremel, a knife, a few other carving tools, a heat gun and, an old plastic Pepsi bottle. I set to work. Then proceeded to hollow out the fuselage. The end result was that I rebuilt the cockpit complete with seats, controls, radio and rear facing machine gun. It’s kind of hard to see but, I know it’s there. I had first built this kit back in 1980. When I had been stationed in Hong Kong with my Regiment in the British army. I had wanted this kit ever since I had seen it completed in the window of my local hobby store in Preston. This was when I was about 8 or 9 years old. Unfortunately it was destroyed by an irate relative with a hammer a couple of years later. I was devastated by the loss and always wanted to get another. My wife had heard my sob story and for Christmas 2010 she presented me with this replacement (I think she’s a keeper). I hope you enjoy the photos?
I have this kit complete with all the new Fujimi releases plus both GMM etch sets.Yours is a lovely model, vastly different to one built straight out of the box.I dreamed of this kit as a child, when I bought it just before Nichimo went pop, the reality didn't live up to expectations.
