Hasegawa 1/48 Aichi B7A2

[wally]

Hello Folks

This will be my entry to the Rising Sun GB. Torbedo Bomber Aichi B7A2 Grace from Hasegawa in 1/48 scale



Cheers

[Hillbilly]

Cool kit,all the glass in the canopy ought to show off the interior nicely

[planemaker]

Looks like a nice kit. Gonna follow your build.

[wally]

Hello Folks

So now it time to start working on it. As usually some history of the aircraft itself and obligatory sprue shots:

The Aichi B7A Ryusei (Aichi ryuusei-kanjou-kougeki-ki?) ("Shooting Star", Allied reporting name "Grace") was a large and powerful carrier-borne torpedo-dive bomber produced by Aichi Kokuki KK for the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service during the Second World War. Built in only small numbers and deprived of the aircraft carriers it was intended to operate from, the type had little chance to distinguish itself in combat before the war ended in August 1945.
Design and development
The B7A Ryusei (originally designated AM-23 by Aichi) was designed in response to a 1941 16-Shi requirement issued by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service for a carrier attack bomber that would replace both the Nakajima B6N Tenzan torpedo plane and the Yokosuka D4Y Suisei dive bomber in IJN service. It was intended for use aboard a new generation of Taihō-class carriers, the first of which was laid down in July 1941. Because the deck elevators on the Taihōs had a larger square area than those of older Japanese carriers, the longstanding maximum limit of 11 m (36 ft) on carrier aircraft length could now be lifted.
Chief Engineer Toshio Ozaki (name often seen as Norio Ozaki, but this is incorrect because the Kanji for both first names are the same and often confused) chose a mid-wing arrangement for the B7A to provide for an internal bomb-bay and to ensure enough clearance for the plane's 3.5 m (11 ft) four-bladed propeller. This in turn necessitated the adoption of an inverted gull wing, reminiscent of the F4U Corsair, in order to shorten the length of the main landing gear. The wing featured extendable ailerons with a ten-degree range of deflection, enabling them to act as auxiliary flaps. Dive brakes were fitted underneath just outboard of the fuselage. The B7A's outer wing panels were designed to fold upwards hydraulically for carrier stowage, reducing its overall span from 14.4 m (47 ft) to approximately 7.9 m (26 ft).
Selection of a powerplant was dictated by the Japanese Navy which requested that Aichi design the aircraft around the 1,360 kW (1,825 hp) Nakajima NK9C Homare 12 18-cylinder two-row air-cooled radial engine. This was expected to become the Navy's standard aircraft engine in the 1,340 kW (1,800 hp) to 1,641 kW (2,200 hp) range.
One production model B7A2 was later fitted with a 1,491 kW (2,000 hp) Nakajima Homare 23 radial engine and plans were also made to fit the 1,641 kW (2,200 hp) Mitsubishi MK9 radial to an advanced version of the Ryusei (designated B7A3 Ryusei Kai) but the latter effort never came to fruition.
The B7A had a weight-carrying capacity stemming from its requirements,[4] resulting in a weapons load no greater than its predecessors. The presence of an internal bomb bay with two high-load-capability attachment points allowed the aircraft to carry two 250 kg (550 lb) or six 60 kg (132 lb) bombs. Alternatively, it could carry a single 800 kg (1,764 lb) torpedo mounted externally.
Defensive armament initially consisted of two 20mm Type 99 Model 2 cannons in the wing roots and one flexible 7.92mm Type 1 machine-gun mounted in the rear cockpit. Later production models of the B7A2 featured a 13mm Type 2 machine-gun in place of the 7.92mm gun.
Despite the plane's weight and size, it displayed fighter-like handling and performance, besting the version of the A6M Zero in service at the time. It was fast and highly maneuverable.
Given the codename "Grace" by the Allies, the B7A first flew as a prototype in May 1942, but teething problems with the experimental NK9C Homare engine and necessary modifications to the airframe meant that the type did not enter into production until two years later in May 1944. Nine prototype B7A1s were built and 80 production version B7A2s completed by Aichi before a severe earthquake in May 1945 destroyed the factory at Funakata where they were being assembled. A further 25 examples were produced at the 21st Naval Air Arsenal at Omura.
Operational history
In June 1944, IJN Taihō, the only Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft carrier then large enough to operate the B7A Ryusei in its intended role, was sunk during the Battle of the Philippine Sea before enough B7As were even available to embark. Thereafter, the B7A was relegated to operating from land bases, primarily with the Yokosuka and 752nd Air Groups. The Japanese completed only one other carrier capable of operating the B7A, IJN Shinano, but she was sunk by an American submarine in November 1944, just ten days after being commissioned.

Variants
B7A1
Prototypes. Nine built.
B7A2
Two-seat torpedo-dive bomber aircraft for the Imperial Japanese Navy.

General characteristics
Crew: 2
Length: 11.49 m (37 ft 8.33 in)
Wingspan: 14.40 m (47 ft 3 in)
Height: 4.07 m (13 ft 4.5 in)
Wing area: 35.40 m² (381.041 ft²)
Empty weight: 3,810 kg (8,400 lb)
Loaded weight: 5,625 kg (12,401 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 6,500 kg (14,330 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Nakajima NK9C Homare 12 18-cylinder air-cooled radial engine, 1,360 kW (1,825 hp)
Performance
Maximum speed: 567 km/h (306 kn, 352 mph)
Range: 3,038 km (1,888 mi)
Service ceiling: 11,250 m (36,910 ft)
Rate of climb: 9.6 m/s (1,889.8 ft/min)
Wing loading: 158.9 kg/m² (32.5 lb/ft²)
Power/mass: 0.24 W/kg (0.147 hp/lb)
Armament

Guns:
2× 20 mm Type 99 Model 2 cannons in wings
1× 7.92 mm (0.312 in) Type 1 or 13 mm (0.51 in) Type 2 machine gun in the rear cockpit
Bombs:
800 kg (1,764 lb) of general ordnance or
1× 800 kg (1,764 lb) torpedo
Box content:








Yesterday I start workin on the cockpit. Painted entire interior using Metallic Blue colour from Gunze. Then hand painted using black all radio boxes and other details in the cockpit. Instrument panel was done using Eduard PE and sheet with the instruments dials.
Engine was painted using Model Master Metalizier steel color.


Then I spray Tamiya smoke on the ribbing in the side panels and gloss coat on all cockpit parts prepare them to put some oil wash. After gloss coat dries I brushed all parts using MIG Dark Wash, after it dies a little bit I start to wipe the excess to leave the wash only in the nick and cronies. Here is the results are achieve:



This it for now. I have couple days of work:), so I will push trough this build. Next update tomorrow I think.
Cheers

[rodrant]

Very nice subject and looks a nice kit.To follow as this was a kit that I Like to buy ...looks nice!

[Brasko]

That metallic blue looks great. Can't wait to see more!

[wally]

Hello Folks

Next update on my build. I finished working on the cockpit. Paint some dials and switches using different paints white, yellow and silver. Weathering in the cockpit was
also complete I add some pigments to complete weathering.






Next I put all together the fuselage half and it then I add horizontal stabilizers. After that I start working on the wings. The main wheel wells were painted in the same manner as cockpit and weathered using the same technique. Wings were added to the fuselage. I have to fill some gaps in the wing root area. This time I used new technique I fill gaps using CA glue and the wipe the excess by cotton bud moisten in the debonder (liquide to wipe the CA glue).




Next I start working on the engine. First paint steel color from Model Master Matalizer and then add some oil dark wash from MIG production into the cylinders. Push rods were painted matt black. Then I add wiring from PE and completed the engine assembly.





That's it for now. Next progress shortly.
Cheers

[wally]

Hello Folks

Short update on my build. After long brake I return to the Aichi B7A2. I installed engine into the cowling unfortunately engine is barely visible. I also re scribe all panel lines I lost during sanding and filling. I mask canopy prepare it to spraying interior color. That is it for now. Next step will be priming and spraying silver for chipping effect.




Next update during the week after primming stage.
Cheers

[Thumboy]

Nice start wally, the cockpit looks great I didn't know the Japanese had a gull wing aircraft - I like it a lot. I will have to keep an eye out for it in 1/72.

Good luck with the build

[Aliktren]

great stuff, looks great! - love the colours

[wally]

Hello Folks

Next update on my site. During the week I finished priming. After first coat of Tamiya Grey Primer I have some seam lines to take care on the top and bottom of the fuselage. But after filling using CA glue and sanding, next primer coat shows that there is no seam lines left. I primed also small bits like propeller spinner and the torpedo. Today I've done pre shading.
Couple shots of my progress:




Next step spraying silver then coat of Valejo Chipping Medium and then base coat of Green on top and Grey underside.
Stay tuned.
Cheers

[wally]

Hello All
Next update on my build. For couple of days I return to working on my Aichi B7A2. First after pre shading I spray AS-12 silver on some areas on wings and fuselage where I think the paint will chip. Then I spray some hair spray on it. After all coats of Hair spray dried I started paining. First XF-12 J.N Grey on underside. Bleaching was done on underside using base colour with couple drops of Off White. This is for now, tomorrow masking and top color using XF-11 J.N Green. I forget to mention that I also paint leading wings strips using Orange Yellow.







Cheers to the next time

[wally]

Hello All

After long brake working on another projects I finally finished working on the painting stage for my Aichi Grace. First I spray tamiya XF-11 JN Green then bleached the green using Tamiya Dark Green 2. I have to do some touch ups for yellow strips due to overspray. But finally I happy with the results. What you think.





Next chipping the paint and then gloss. hope I finished before the deadline.
Cheers

[EXIACXA3740]

Nice job mate!
How old is this kit?

[TonyCnyc]

Very nice progress! Have one in my stash; look forward to the rest of the build.

[martin57]

Nice looks great welldone

[peppie]

Looking great so far
Like your painting very much, and I'm curious to your chipping.

Very nice looking plane also.

[wally]

Hello Folks

After Easter chipping complete.





Maybe a little to heavy, but first time I used chipping medium and hard brush. Part of the chipping on the wings will be cover by Japanese markings.
Cheers

[m0gb0y74]

Nice work

Glad to see you were more successful than me with the chipping Medium.

[shortCummins]

Maybe a little to heavy, but first time I used chipping medium and hard brush. Part of the chipping on the wings will be cover by Japanese markings.

Hi Wally

do you plan to distress the markings as well?

looking good so far

rgds
John(shortCummins)

[wally]

Hello Folks

Answering the questions the kit is from 1997 so almost 20-years old. Regarding national markings I don't have in plan to chip them, from what I known they were always in good condition on Japanese aircraft, I think it was obligation for technical crew to re-paint them every time they start to chip or worn. So this is my plan.
Thanks for the nice comments, right now I fighting with the decals to conform them to the panel lines and remove wrinkling. So stay tuned before the end of the week I put some photos for the next stage.
Cheers

[eightfooticeman]

14 days left my friend, will you be making it to the end, I hope so, we all do.

[wally]

Very close to the finish line.




I only need to add some panel line wash and some weathering. Next week should be finished.

[eightfooticeman]

Looks GREAT!

[wally]

Hello Folks

Finally finished



Rest pictures in the final reveal section
Cheers