Sunday 26 June 2016

Japanese Aircraft Online Model Contest 001



ARAWASI would like to invite you to our 1st online model contest.

CLICK: Japanese Aircraft Online Model Contest 001 TO SEE ALL ENTRIES
 
Theme: Japanese Prototype & Experimental Aircraft in any scale (no what-ifs)*.
Submissions: Send as many photos as you like of your model and accompanying information to contact@arawasi.jp or arawasi_g2@hotmail.com. At the very least please send: your name and country, model scale and kit maker. Your entry will be posted within 24 hours. You can enter the contest with more than one model in any scale.
Voting: you can vote for each model from 1 to 5 either by leaving a comment on each entry or by sending an email to the above addresses. No anonymous votes will be taken into account (nicknames are ok). The model with the most points wins.
Deadline: The end of August (but if many of you demand more time, extension is possible. So, leave a comment).  
Prizes: The winner (or winners) will receive a book and a model from our on-line store, free of any charge, courtesy of Arawasi.

*Allow me to elaborate to avoid confusion.
1. Apart from the actual prototypes that were built and tested, the IJAAF and IJNAF had a number of projects and designs that never left the drawings board or were just considered. Models of all these are within the theme of this competition. In other words, whatever prototypes or experimental aircraft the Japanese considered, designed or built at that time. A "Fugaku" or a "Ginga" with an "Ohka" in its belly are in; a twin-boom Zero is not. 
2. Markings & paintjob. Prototypes and experimental planes usually had very specific markings, those of the Kugisho of the IJNAF for example, or no markings at all. Therefore a KEN-3 in 244Sentai markings falls into the "what-if" category as the type was never assigned to that unit. There is more leeway for the markings of design-only X-planes or for those no photos exist. But again it is advisable to study the way other X-planes looked before starting to work on the paintjob or to apply markings. Or, preferably, start a posting here with the model you intend to build and ask questions. For example all the markings for the Mansyu Ki-98 supplied in the Meng kit fall in the "what-if" category. Extremely unlikely the IJAAF to have supplied the Thai airforce with the type!
The above does not mean that a model of a Japanese X-plane in "what-if" markings or paintjob will not be accepted in the competition but personally I would subtract at least 0.5 points in the voting.
 
Since we plan to organize more online modeling contests (the theme for the next one will be "what-ifs") we would really like to hear your suggestions, ideas etc.

Monday 20 June 2016

Kawanishi N1K1 "Kyofu" by Adam O'Brien

This is my Hasegawa Kawanishi N1K1 "Kyofu" (Rex) Prototype in 1/72.

- Adam O'Brien -

Thursday 16 June 2016

Mitsubishi Ki-51 "Sonia" by Miro Herold

I just finished my Mitsubishi Ki-51 "Sonia" from the 10th Dokuritsu Hikodan Shireibu, Borneo, Greater Sunda Islands, March 1945. It is the old Mania kit in 1/72. For details I used several resin parts from Kora Models and Rising Decals. The canopy is from Falcon.
My inspiration was of course your excellent book from Arawasi!
Many regards from Germany!
- Miro Herold -
 



 

Thursday 9 June 2016

IPMS “Scalefest”

Grapevine, Texas
June 4th 2016
 This year's show was the usual mix of entries and vendors. A good time to meet like-minded people with a passion for plastic. In this particular case, we shall focus on those entries that have the hinomaru adorning their wings.
One of the notables, in my opinion, was a Nichimo B5N2, which holds up quite well despite it's age. It was also nice to see the Ki-61 and N1K2 in 1/32nd scale. Another model that caught my eye was the Mansyu Ki-98 (kitted by Ming in 1/72nd), a subject you don't see very often. There were, of course, a few A6M Zeros to round out things. (Always a popular subject.)
No multi-engine entries this time, unless you count the JAL Boeing 747! :)
That's it for now.....
- Devlin Chouinard -
 
P.S. A sort of odd/annoying thing that I have noticed about the plastic modeling "otaku" here, is that some forget to take a shower or take other measures to lessen body odor! REALLY!? In close quarters? It's not "manly" it's damn rude!