1:72 Mitsubishi Ki-21-ib 'Sally'

The real subject

The Ki-21 is a twin-engine bomber of the Japanese Army Air Force of the Second World War period, powered by a pair of radial engines. The Allies assigned it the code name Sally, because Japanese type numbers were awkward to use in reports. The machine was fast for its day and had a decent range, but it lacked armor protection and self-sealing tanks, which told against it later. The I-b designation belongs to an early production batch of the type. The bomber stayed in service for a long time and in the later years moved to transport and training tasks.

What the set contains

This is a set of photo-etched parts in 1:72 scale. Metal sheet is etched chemically, so the parts can be genuinely thin and have sharp outlines; in plastic the same element would necessarily come out thicker. The extent of the parts and their placing on the model are given in the instructions enclosed by the manufacturer.

Building and painting tips

In 1:72 scale this is very fine work, so have a sharp blade, a hard surface, fine-tipped tweezers and good light ready. Separate the parts by cutting rather than breaking them off, and level the rest with a fine file. Make the bends along the pressed score lines. Cement for polystyrene will not join metal, so reach for cyanoacrylate glue and apply it with the tip of a piece of wire, so that it does not overflow. Before painting, wash and degrease the sheet and back it with a base coat. Fit the elements for the inside of the fuselage before you glue it together.

• 1:72 scale, parts of photo-etched metal sheet
• the subject is the Japanese twin-engine Ki-21 bomber
• the parts are glued with cyanoacrylate glue, not with cement for plastic

Terms of supply

The kit, paints and glue are not included in the delivery, unless stated otherwise.