The Steve Hustad Collection

Nakajima B6N2 "Jill"

"Tenzen" (Heavenly Mountain), Carrier Zuikaku,

1st Koku Sentai, June 1944

 

• 1/72nd Fujimi.

•  Scratchbuilt cockpit from plastic sprue, rod, strip & wire. Misc. photo etched (PE) bits used for instrument bezels, etc. Seat belts are masking tape with photo etched buckles.

• Falcon replacement vacform canopy was used and cut to the 'open' position. Stretched sprue antenna 'wire'. Canopy framing is black electrician's tape, painted. 'Under sliding' portions of the canopy are 'partials' in order to maintain fit and clarity.

• Patchwork paint effect is by lightening & darkening the base color, then masking and spraying all three shades for a weathered look. Colors were custom mixed from the Testors Model Master II enamel paint range.

• Weathering is by airbrush, pastels, and colored pencils were used for reinforcing panel lines. Silver colored pencil used for the scuffed/chipped areas.

• Wheel wells were detailed using the same technique as for the cockpit.. otherwise they are 'per kit'

• IPMS/USA decals were used for all national markings (Hinomarus). The numerals are from various Walther Model Railroad letters sheets.

Aichi E13A1 "Jake"

Type Zero, Model 11.

From the Japanese Heavy Cruiser "Tone";  This plane flew the initial reconnaissance over Pearl Harbor prior to the attack on the morning of 7 December 1941.  

(click to enlarge photos)

• 1/72nd Hasegawa.

• All  raised panel lines were removed, rescribed & corrected.

• The engine is a resin item from "Engines & Things". Exhaust stacks are from plastic rod.

• The bombs are from the spares box - modified heavily. The  bomb racks are scratch built.

• Cockpit interiors are entirely scratchbuilt from wire, plastic  rod, sprue, sheet & strip and misc. photo etched pieces.

• Seats are homemade vacform items with photo etched belts Eduard. Observer's MG is white metal from Aeroclub + PE.

• Float struts were replaced with heavier items made from Contrail strut stock (kit struts of wrong type). The float rigging 'ends' are from sanded & tapered strut stock as well.

• Rigging is from .005" stainless steel wire fixed in place with white glue. Ends touched up with dullcote and dark gray.

• Topsides "Ame-iro" paint is Humbrol #72(1)+34(2), lightened & darkened shades mixed and sprayed. Blue/black cowling  is Testors MM II "Interior black" - same process.

• The seven piece vacform canopy is from Falcon, cut "open".

• Weathering is by 'pin washes', colored pencils & pastels. The scuffed areas worn down to the red/brown  primer color are from Prismacolor pencil #944 - Terra Cotta.

Kawanishi E7K2 "Alf"

Type 94, Model 2 Reconnaissance Seaplane

China theater, 1939

(click to enlarge photos)

• 1/72nd scale Hasegawa (Conversion from inline engined version).

• All  raised panel lines were removed, rescribed & corrected.

• Conversion includes: Cutting off and reconfiguring the nose to accept the new radial engine & cowling. Cowling is from an 'early tool' Hasegawa Zero kit (modified), and the interface to the fuselage is scratchbuilt of plastic and putty.

• The new two bladed propeller is scratchbuilt.

• The new engine is a resin item from "Engines & Things".  

• Exhaust stacks are from plastic rod.

• The rear fuselage was lengthened by 3/16" to compensate  for the kit being too short. This was done with plastic card.

• Cockpit interiors are entirely scratchbuilt from wire, plastic rod, sprue, sheet & strip and misc. photo etched pieces.

• Seats are homemade vacform items with photo etched belts Eduard. Observer's MG is white metal from Aeroclub + PE.

• Rigging is from .005" stainless steel wire fixed in place with white glue. Ends touched up with dullcote and dark gray.

• Topsides paint is Humbrol #118+70 and the old Pactra Intl. IW52 for the "China Scheme" shades. Underside "Kawanishi Light Blue/Gray" is Aeromaster's German WW II RLM 76 darkened with a bit of medium blue.

• The two windscreens are 'homemade' vacform items.

• Weathering is by 'pin washes', colored pencils & pastels.

 

Mitsubishi A5M4 (Type 96) "Claude"

Tail Code # W-101, piloted by Lt. Tamotsu Yokoyama, fighter division officer, of the Aircraft Carrier "Soryu", during the battle to seal off the East China Sea, 12 Nov 39

 
 

 
(click to enlarge photos)   

• 1/72nd Fujimi kit.

•  Cockpit was detailed using Eduard photo etch set 72-213 with added wire, plastic strip, rod & sheet. Painted, dark  washed and drybrushed with oil paints.

•  All national markings and fuselage bands/markings were masked and spray painted on with the exception of black stenciling, black upper wing markings and the tail codes.

• The natural metal finish was painted using Floquil RR colors 'Old Silver' as the basis for three different shades, tinted with Testors MM II 'Interior Black'.

• The "Gold tint" atop the bare metal finish was obtained by tinting Future floor wax with tube water color paints - mostly yellow ochre with a tiny bit of red. This was then 'dusted' on until a satisfactory tone was achieved.

• Machine guns are stainless steel tubing cut to fit and positioned in/through the cowling.

• Flaps were cut out, dropped and detailed using about 50% photo etch set parts plus 50% scratchbuilt parts.

• The panel lines were weathering with a diluted and then 'wiped away' oil paint technique.  Other effects are with pastels and colored pencils.

(click to enlarge photos)

• 1/72nd Fujimi kit (Conversion from A5M4 type).
• Conversion included: 
  •    Cut down turtledeck/fuselage spine by removing the kit  section for cockpit to vertical stab and replacing it with built up plastic stock carved & sanded to shape.
  • Wheel spats were carved down to about 75% of their original (A5M4) size, sanded and re-scribed.
  • Cowling was deepened using laminated Evergreen strip stock plastic, puttied & faired in, sanded & re-scribed.
  • Early style drop tank was fashioned from scrap plastic.
  • Canopy is a homemade 'heat 'n smash' vacform item using greeting card box top clear plastic over a scratchbuilt male mold.
  • Scratchbuilt exhausts and other minor new items…
• All national markings and fuselage bands/markings were masked and spray painted on with the exception of stenciling and the tail codes.            
• The natural metal finish was painted using Floquil RR colors 'Old Silver' as the basis for three different shades, tinted with Testors MM II 'Interior Black'.
• Cockpit was detailed using Eduard photo etch set 72-013 with added wire, plastic strip, rod & sheet. Painted, dark washed and drybrushed with oil paints.
• The panel lines were weathering with a diluted and then 'wiped away' oil paint technique.  Other effects are with pastels and colored pencils.

Mitsubishi A6M2,  Model 11 "Zeke"

12th Kokutai, China, 1941, Lt. Minoru Suzuki

• 1/72nd  Airfix (Heavily modified!).

• Scratchbuilt cockpit from plastic sprue, rod, strip & wire. Misc. photo etched (PE) bits used for instrument bezels, etc.

• Falcon replacement vacform canopy was used and cut to the 'open' position. Stretched sprue antenna 'wire'.

• All panel lines were removed and rescribed in their correct positions & sizes. Shading of same with colored pencil.

•  Cowling, exhausts, propeller & spinner were all replaced with better shaped items from the 'spares box' - modified appropriately.

•   All markings are painted on with the exception of the tail codes.

•   Wheel wells were hollowed out/deepened, reshaped and detailed using the same technique as the cockpit.

•   Horizontal stabilizer was lengthened and reshaped, as was the vertical stabilizer. The rudder was cut out, scratchbuilt and positioned in an operating angle.

• Paint is a Humbrol enamel 'mix' of light gray and a light ochre (Humbrol #28 with a dash of #72 ochre). Weathered with colored pencils and pastels.

Mitsubishi A6M5c, Model 52 "Zeke"

303rd Hikotai, 203rd Kokutai,

Tanimizu, June 1945

• 1/72nd Hasegawa (the original/old tooling).

•  Scratchbuilt cockpit from plastic sprue, rod, strip & wire. Misc. photo etched (PE) bits used for instrument bezels, etc.

• Falcon replacement vacform canopy was used and cut to the 'open' position. Stretched sprue antenna 'wire'.

• Cowling is entirely reshaped using Milliput two part epoxy putty and sheet plastic cooling fins.

•  Most panel lines were sanded off and replaced with new/correctly located panel lines.

• Wheel wells were detailed using the same technique as for the cockpit.

• Ailerons were cut out and repositioned.

• All national markings & wing walk stencils are painted on.

•  Patchwork paint effect is by lightening & darkening the base color, then masking and spraying all three shades for a weathered look.

•  Weathering is by airbrush, pastels, and colored pencils. Silver colored pencil used for the scuffed/chipped areas.

Mitsubishi G4M2A  “Betty”

722nd Kokutai, March 1945

(click to enlarge photos)

• 1/72 Scale  “Lindberg” kit (Heavily Modified)
•  Cockpit(s), Waist gun positions, Nose & Tail gun positions, and dorsal turret positions are completely scratchbuilt. Details from styrene sheet, rod, strip, stretched sprue, wire vacformed seats, putty seat cushions, photo-etched seat belts, etc. (Waist & Tail positions carved out, kit not open).
• Canopies are all homemade vacform items, with framing from painted electrical tape, adhered with diluted white glue
• Panel lines are all new, engraved to match the real plane. Kit rivets & panel lines where removed
• Fuselage lengthened by about 1/4” overall. The wing sweep back angle was increased to match the G4M2 variant. The nacelles were re-positioned also as a result.
•  Wheel wells were hollowed out (came boxed over) and fully scratchbuilt & detailed with the same methods as was used for the cockpit areas.
• Engines, landing gear, machine guns, and ALL other detail parts were replaced and individually detailed. Cowling re-shaped, upper & lower scoops added, etc. 
• Fuselage side radar is made from stretched sprue and wire
• Paints are “Floquil Military Colors”, and “Pactra” lightened in several shades for weathered effect. 
•  Weathering by airbrush, “Prismacolor” pencils, and pastels

Yokosuka (Kugisho) P1Y2-S  “Frances”

Atsugi airfield, Japan, August 1945

(click to enlarge photos)

• 1/72 Scale  “Revell” kit 
• Cockpit(s), and nose position are completely scratchbuilt. Detailed with styrene sheet, rod, strip, stretched sprue,     wire, vacformed seats, photo-etched seat belts, etc.
• Canopies are homemade vacform items, except rear nose portion which is a polished kit item, opened up. Framing is with paint, and painted strips of electrical tape. 
• Wheel wells are scratchbuilt/detailed using same methods as were used for the cockpit areas. 
• Engines and cowlings were corrected, and detailed, landing gear was modified, corrected and detailed. 
• Panel lines were 80% removed, and re-scribed. 
• All detail parts were replaced and scratchbuilt to scale, including the 30mm cannon for the nightfighter configuration.
• Paints are “Floquil Military Colors”, lightened in several shades for a weathered effect. Decals are IPMS/Hinormarus     and “spares box” items. (Note overpainted tail code “305”)
• Weathering was done with airbrush, “Prismacolor” colored pencils, and pastels. Striped paint effect is “Testors”    aluminum paint atop the green, airbrushed through an elaborate stencil. Remainder of the scuffed paint was done with a silver “Prismacolor “ pencil.

Kawanishi N1K1-J “George”

Japanese name: "Shiden" (Violet Lightining)

341 Kokutai, Hikotai, Philippines, 1944 (Pilot unknown)

(click to enlarge photos)

• 1/72 Scale "MPM" Limited run, injection molded kit. 
• "Eduard/MPM" Photoetched cockpit detail set, and scratch built items used to detail the cockpit. Includes use of styrene strip, rod, sprue and wire. Scratchbuilt seat, stick & gunsight. “Tecknics” photo etched seat belts & buckles. 
• Detailed wheel wells using kit photoetched items, wire and styrene strip & sheet to box them in, etc. 
• Control surfaces cut out & repositioned.  Scratchbuilt flaps. 
• Engine is replaced with an “Engines & Things” correct type.  This has been further detailed with sprue and wire items.     Finished with paint & drybrushing. 
• Canopy is the MPM vacform item - though cut apart to show in open position. Framed with painted 3M electrical tape, attached with white glue. 
• Panel lines done with "Berol/Prismacolor" colored pencils. 
• Weathered using pastels, airbrush (some aluminum), and “Berol/Prismacolor” colored pencils. 
• "Floquil Military Colors" (two shades for green), and  “Aeromaster" (two shades for gray) paints used. 
• "IPMS/USA" national insignia decals were used."MPM/Kit" for all others. Some custom modified w/paint to     reflect actual aircraft modeled.

Yokosuka D4Y2 "Judy"

Navy Carrier bomber "Suisei" (Comet)

523rd Kokutai, Mariana islands, February 1944

(click to enlarge photos)

• 1/72nd Fujimi.

• Scratchbuilt cockpit from plastic sprue, rod, strip & wire. Misc. photo etched (PE) bits used for instrument bezels, etc. Seat belts are masking tape with photo etched buckles.

• Falcon replacement vacform canopy was used and cut to the 'open' position. Framing is black electricians tape, cut & painted. Stretched sprue antenna 'wire'.

• Patchwork paint effect is by lightening & darkening the base color, then masking and spraying all three shades for a weathered look. Colors are custom mixed from the Testors Model Master II enamel paint range.

• Weathering is by airbrush, pastels, and colored pencils were used for reinforcing the panel lines. Silver colored pencil used for the scuffed/chipped areas.

• Wheel wells were detailed using the same technique as for the cockpit, but otherwise are 'per kit'.

• IPMS/USA decals were used for all national markings (Hinomarus).

Kawasaki Ki-100-I "Tony"

Early version of the radial engined version of the earlier Ki-61 "Tony", known as the 'Army type 5'.

2nd company, 59th flight regiment, Asiya airfield,

Summer of 1945.

(click to enlarge photos)

• 1/72nd Finemolds (original tooling).

• homemade 'heat & smash' canopy made from clear Christmas card box covers over a modified kit canopy.

• Interior is per kit, except for seatbelts from masking tape with photo etched buckles. Also some wire and plastic strip stock detail was added.

• Wheel wells are 'per kit', but detail added with wire and sprue.

• All markings except the numerals are painted on.

• Topside scheme is a Humbrol #108 dark olive green darkened with Humbrol #91 black green. Underside is two shades of 'aluminum', a darker shade used where the fuel  tanks were positioned for that typical Japanese natural aluminum underside 'look'.

• Weathering was done with colored pencils for re-enforcing panel lines and replicating the tiny paint chipping seen throughout, Prismacolor pencils were used. This was followed up with pastel chalks applied with a small brush for streak stains. Exhaust staining was done with an airbrush, again followed up with black pastel chalk.

• Antenna wire is from stretched sprue.

 

Mitsubishi Ki 21 IIb “Sally”

Of the 14^th Sentai, 3^rd Chutai, New Guinea, 1944

• 1/72 Scale “Revell” kit.

• Scratchbuilt cockpit(s) using plastic rod, strip, sheet, wire, & vacformed seats. Photo etched seatbelts and other minor details were used.

• Canopies are homemade ‘heat and smash’ items from Christmas card box covers. Black electricians tape was used for the framing, painted and sealed with white glue.

• Machine Guns are white metal “Aeroclub” items.

• Wheel wells are scratchbuilt using the same materials and techniques as described above for the cockpit areas. Land-gear detailed with wire, and new replacement parts from the parts box.

• Engines detailed with plastic rod, strip & wire.            

• Decals (National markings only) are IPMS/USA items, weathered variety on top, bright red on the undersides.

• All other markings are painted.  

• Paints are Aeromaster Warbird & Floquil Military Colors Enamels.  

• Weathering done with airbrush, pastels, and “Berol-Prismacolor” colored pencils.

• Aerials are stretched sprue, painted and white glued in place.

Nakajima Ki-43 II "Oscar"

"Hayabusa" (Peregrine Falcon)

From the 2nd Company, 54th Flight, Pacific theater 1943  

(click to enlarge photos)

• 1/72nd Hasegawa.

• homemade 'heat & smash' canopy made from clear Christmas card box covers over a modified kit canopy.

• Cockpit detail is scratchbuilt using plastic sheet, strip, rod, stretched sprue & wire. Seat belts are from masking tape with photo etched buckles.

• Wheel wells are 'per kit', but detail added with wire and sprue.

• Camouflage scheme is the old Pactra International 'IJA Green' over silver. The pattern was sprayed through a stencil, and touched up with a small brush and olive green chalks 'feathered into, and out from the sprayed pattern.

• Weathering was done with Prismacolor colored pencils for reinforcing the panel lines and highlighting edges. Silver Prismacolors were also used to 'feather out' the paint wear on the wings near the fuselage.

• National markings are from the old IPMS/USA Hinormaru sheets. Unit markings are all painted on (masked & airbrushed).

• Antenna wire is from stretched sprue.

• 1/72 Scale “Hasegawa” kit.

• “Airwaves” photo-etched detail set set used to finish the cockpit areas and landing gear/doors. balance of cockpit detail is wire, plastic strip, rod, and “Milliput” epoxy putty,

• Canopy has been replaced with a “Falcon” vacform item, framed with black electrical tape and painted. Cut, and re-positioned in the open configuration.

• Detailed landing gear and wheel wells.

• Painted with “Humbrol”, “Pactra Intl.”, and “Testors” enamel paints.

• Weathered with airbrush, pastels, and “Berol/Prismacolor” colored pencils.

• Decals are “IPMS/USA” special Hinormarus. Specific markings are “kit”, and from decals “Spares Box”.

• 1/72 Scale  "LS" Kit. 
• Completely scratchbuilt cockpit(s), bombardier, turret gun      position, waist gun positions, and tail gun position. Made from plastic card, rod, strip, & tubing, wire, and some photoetched detail items.
• Scratchbuilt wheel well detail using the same techniques as mentioned above for the manned positions.
• Detailed landing gear with wire and plastic strip pieces.
• Canopies are all homemade vacform items (the nose being four pieces alone). Framing was done with painted electricians tape & white glue sealing.
• Detailed engines with wire and sprue. Photoetched engine cooling fans.
• Aerials are clear stretched sprue with white glue turnbuckles and connection points.
• "Humbrol, Pactra intl., & Testors" paints used throughout.
• "IPMS/USA" national insignia decals used. Remainder of markings are painted (tail), and misc. old "Microscale" modified items (rear fuselage).
• Weathering done with airbrush, pastels, and colored pencils. Panel lines with "Berol/Prismacolor" colored pencils.

Nakajima Ki 84  "Frank"

Japanese name: "Hayate" (Hurricane/Gale)

101st Sentai, South Pacific, 1944

• 1/72 Scale "Hasegawa" Kit.
• "Eduard" Photoetched cockpit detail set, and scratch built items used to replace kit cockpit.
• "Eduard" Photo etched  landing flaps set used with plastic backing/infill.
• "Falcon" vacform replacement canopy used - cut apart to display in the open position. Framing is electricians tape painted, and with edged sealed with white glue.
• Detailed landing gear and wheel wells.
• Engine detailed with stretched sprue and dry brushing. New  firewall added.
• Panel lines done with "Berol/Prismacolor" colored pencil.
• Weathered using pastels, airbrush, and colored pencils.
• "Humbrol", and "Pactra Intl." paints used.
• "IPMS/USA" national insignia decals were used.   "Superscale" for all others. Some custom modified w/paint.

Kawasaki Ki 48 II  "Lily"

208th Regiment, 1st Company

Clark Field, Philippines, 1945

•  1/72 Scale "Hasegawa" (ex. Mania) Kit. (Minor conversion to mark II version).

•  Completely scratchbuilt cockpit, bombardier, dorsal gun      position, & Radioman/observers interiors. Made from plastic card, rod, strip, & tubing, wire, and some photoetched detail items.

•  Scratchbuilt wheel well detail by same techniques as for the other interiors.

•  Detailed landing gear with wire, photoetched parts, etc.

•  Canopies are all homemade vacform items. Framing done with painted electricians tape & white glue sealing.

•  Detailed engines with sprue and wire.

•  Aerials are clear stretched sprue with white glue turnbuckles and connection points.

•  "Humbrol & Pactra Intl." paints used throughout.

•  "IPMS/USA" national insignia decals used. Remainder of markings are painted.

•  Weathering/panel lines are airbrushed, pastel, and "Berol/Prismacolor colored pencil respectively.

Nakajima C6N1-S “Myrt” Night Fighter

Japanese name: “Saiun” (Painted Cloud)

Oppama Air base, Japan, August 1945 (Crew unknown)

• 1/72 Scale "Fujimi” kit.

• Scratchbuilt interior using homemade vacform seats, scratchbuilt 30mm oblique mounted central position cannon, sidewall detail, radio sets, etc. from styrene rod, sheet, strip, sprue, wire and misc. photo etched detail items (Bezels and so on).

• Detailed wheel wells; Scratchbuilt from plastic and wire using similar materials as noted for cockpit areas.

• Engine replaced with an accurate “Engines & Things” item. Detailed with sprue & wire, painted & drybrushed.

• Replaced kit thick, closed canopy with a homemade “heat & smash” vacform item. Cut open at pilot & observers positions. Framed with painted 3M electrical tape.

• Detailed landing gear with wire & styrene pieces.

• "Pactra" paints used, mixed to two late war dark gray/blue shades. Underside grays are two shades of “Aeromaster” IJN gray. (Alternate/weathered shades custom mixed).

• "IPMS/USA national insignia" and “spares box” decals used.

• Weathered with pastels, “Berol/Prismacolor” colored pencils and airbrushing.

• Aerials of clear stretched sprue with white glue turnbuckles.

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