OUT OF THE BOX
I had never built a Nichimo kit before and I am always leery
about building kits from unfamiliar manufacturers. I was mostly
pleasantly surprised with Nichimo's Kate. It is almost two kits
in one when it comes to detail. The exterior detail on this kit
is among the best in the business. In contrast, the interior
detail is average and somewhat toy-like.
Nichimo paid much attention to exterior details. The fabric
surfaces have an interesting and realistic mesh appearance.
Recessed panel lines and beautiful rivets are everywhere. The
small number of parts included for the cockpit are thick and
simple. The cockpit canopy consists of two thick clear parts.
The Kate's engine detail is good. It is cleanly molded and
eliminates the need to look elsewhere for an engine.
The directions can be described as "an adventure" for
the non-Japanese speaking model builder. The main kit instruction
sheet is written in Japanese and a poorly copied translation
sheet is included. One gets the impression someone at Nichimo
called upon volunteers for the translation project one morning
and the only person to respond met qualifications because they
recently viewed a Hollywood movie. Although unintentional, the
translation is actually humorous at times.
Decals are included for several individual B5N2s and the model
can be configured with a torpedo or several combination of bombs.
There are also instructions to include a battery so the prop will
spin! If the spinning prop gimmick is chosen, the builder must
forfeit the engine and all interior detail and realism.
Three crew figures are provided but they look cartoonish. In
fact, if enlarged to life size, we would be confronted with pudgy
semi-humans with heads three feet wide and cheeks to be envied by
every squirrel and chipmunk in town.
CONSTRUCTION
I was very pleased with the overall fit of this kit. It went
together pretty well despite a general lack of locator pins and
many vague part locations described in the directions.
The highly detailed engine includes more parts
than the lightly detailed cockpit space for the three man crew.
The engine assembly is a challenge but it produces a nice,
detailed result.
The fuselage and wing construction fit well and I didn't
experience any warping or fit problems. I placed figures in my
Kate. Doing so meant the rear-firing machine gun wouldn't fit
unless I turned it to the side. I also had to remove the large
torpedo fins because the its tail wouldn't fit between the ground
and the fuselage if I didn't do so.
Nichimo uses a softer plastic than I am used to and I began this
project thinking this might be a problem in construction. In
reality, it never was an issue. It wasn't better. It wasn't
worse. It was just different.
CONCLUSIONS
This kit is a classic example of a "diamond in the
rough." A detail hound or experienced modeler can turn this
beauty into show quality material. To do so means some
modification or scratchbuilding in the following areas (listed by
importance): Interior details; canopy; landing gear bays; and
ordinance. This kit's fine exterior detailing is its strength. In
fact, the exterior details are strong enough to carry the day to
produce a nice result even if built straight from the box.
The confusing directions and vague part placement may be enough
to scare off the novice builder but it can be done! I probably
wouldn't recommend this
as a first kit but I do think a beginner could build it and feel
happy with the result.
My experience with Nichimo's Kate was a positive one. I won't
hesitate to build another Nichimo kit in the future.