1:35 Nakajima B5N2 Type 97 Kate

The real subject

The Nakajima B5N2, listed by the Allies under the code name Kate, was a carrier torpedo and bomber aircraft of the Imperial Japanese Navy. An all-metal low-wing machine with folding wings and a crew of three, it was among the best of its kind in its day and fought in the Pacific from the first days of the war to its close, by which time it was hopelessly out of date.

What the set contains

A photo-etched fret of metal accessories for a model in 1:35 scale. The photo-etched elements replace plastic details that come out of production thicker than the scale calls for, and they add small features that a plastic part cannot capture. The extent of the fret, the numbering of the parts and which kit the set is cut for are given in the manufacturer's instructions.

Building and painting tips

Separate the parts with a sharp blade a little away from the part and sand the remaining tab with a fine file. Make the bends over a straight metal edge or in a photo-etch bender so that they stay crisp and parallel. Photo-etch is glued with cyanoacrylate; on larger areas soldering proves itself. Degrease the surfaces before painting and apply a primer, otherwise the paint will hold poorly on the smooth metal.

Who it is for

The set suits builders who want to give a model fine detail and do not mind working with tweezers and a magnifier. A beginner can manage it too, only try out on the first parts how the material behaves when bent. The kit for the model, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.