1:48 Mitsubishi Ki-21-I

The real subject

The Mitsubishi Ki-21 was a twin-engine bomber of the Japanese Army Air Force, known among the Allies under the code name Sally. It went along with Japanese operations from the war in China and stayed in service even after development had overtaken it. The version named in the title is from the early part of that development. For a modeler it is interesting above all for its glazed areas and defensive gun positions, that is the places where the machine can be seen into and where a plastic part gives away by its thickness that this is a model.

What the set contains

Photo-etched parts for the Ki-21-I model in 1:48 scale. Photo-etch is thin metal sheet with an etched relief, so it suits the parts that have the thickness of sheet metal on the real subject: instrument panels, the straps and buckles of seats, levers, glazing frames, grilles and clips. Which parts of the model the set adds to, and which kit it is ranged with, are given in the manufacturer's instructions.

Working with photo-etch

Part the pieces off with a sharp blade on a smooth hard surface, not with scissors and certainly not by breaking them out. Level off the remnant of the fret tab with a fine-toothed file. Make the bend exactly in the groove marked, best of all in a bending tool; without one, press the part against a ruler and bend it in one pull, as repeated bending cracks the metal. It is glued with super glue by a minute drop picked up with the tip of a wire; glue for plastic models does not hold on metal. Degrease the metal before painting and go over it with a primer. Small parts are easier to work with if you leave them on the sheet as long as possible and take them off only just before gluing.

Terms of supply

A set of photo-etched parts is supplied. The model, paints, glue and tools are not included, unless stated otherwise.