Ki-45 Kai (Nick) Zoukei-Mura 1/32

[RAGIII]

Wow! Looking gorgeous. Sorry to hear of the further fit issues. I am looking forward to the remaining paint /camo pattern!
RAGIII

[AngryJazz]

​Sooo time to reveal my terrible airbrush skills... It was much more difficult than I had expected.. But then again I have never tried a complex camouflage like this before, so I always expected to experience a thing or two. Also tracing the shapes surprising difficult, trying to keep track of where you got to and what shape to copy next.

I think a easier way would be to cut masks with a plotter or maybe a photocopy traced unto tape. Then go back and soften the edges afterwards with the airbrush.

Then again it's also a huge task and I don't have a plotter.

Oh and as it turned out it was wasted time to do all the highlights etc on the top. I had to go back and mostly remove it all when defining the shapes of the camouflage. I guess it's good practice for next time 😂
 
I'm not quite sure I like the scheme or if it just needs a filter to look easier on the eyes.

Maybe it will help to look at it again tomorrow.

 Enough rambling... Pictures!

Camo without any corrections





 

With correction and shapes more defined (current state)


 

[NigelR]

It doesn't look too bad to me, but then again I don't know the subject. I'd never try anything like this freehand with an airbrush, so I think you did well. As you say, filters, weathering, chipping and whatever (it's a Japanese WWII subject so I assume these are appropriate....) will pull it all together.

[petrov27]

It looks good to me - I think a filter or weathering over it will make it less contrasty (is that a word?)

[Vickers]

It certainly looks good to me, AngryJazz. That's a big canvas and these "chain link" schemes found mostly on Japanese and German WWII twins can be a real challenge. The colors that you used and consistency in the irregular pattern appear to be spot on.

[gedmundson]

Just catching up here - your paintwork looks fantastic. Kudos for taking on a very challenging scheme. Also love the way you've mottled the colours to start with, adding to the overall look.
Cheers,
Gary

[AngryJazz]

Thank you Nigel, Vickers, Patrick and Gary 

It is certainly a challenging build for me and I agree that some more weathering will probably pull it together. And I really appreciate your feedback!

However there was just something about the color that just did not work for me. I decided to basically redo all the green. Going in with a more yellowish green to change the look. Also toning down the grey just a bit.
After that I post shaded the model and I'm much more happy with the result now! 😄

Should be a good base for decal and weathering!

[RAGIII]

Your painting of the scheme looks outstanding to me! Looking forward to seeing the Hinomaru painted. Lovely model!
RAGIII

[NigelR]

I was going to say that looks better when I saw the photos, assuming some weathering had been done. Then I read you repainted it! That's commitment. It does look better, so worth the effort.

[AngryJazz]

Thank you very much!

Unfortunately I did not have the correct shade of red for the markings, so had to use the decals. Better get some with my next order-

Well I did only repaint the green 

[AngryJazz]

Finally the half build chunk of plastic is no longer on the shelf of doom - but on the completed list 

Im happy its done! And it does look quite nice now I think!

I kept the weathering and chipping minimal. I like the camo so did not want to add to many effects over it. Only additions near the end was a silver nickel tube for pitot og some wire for the antenna.

I have a few more ZM kits in the stash, but think ill do a few simpler builds first 

[Vickers]

Congratulations on a stellar build, AngryJazz! You've done a great job on this demonstrably complicated kit. I think that you made the right call on the minimal weathering, especially since this one was based in Japan where there were more resources for cleaning and maintenance. The ones stationed in Formosa and the Philippines appear to have suffered much more than the home-based planes.

[NigelR]

Awesome! That has turned out really well, great build. The final finish looks great, well worth the effort.

[gedmundson]

Spectacular work, Ben - looks fabulous. Your little weathering touches really set it off.
Cheers,
Gary

[AngryJazz]

Thank you all very much for the kind works