Official Mitsubishi Ki-51 Sonia Painting Thread

[Dak21]

Here is a flight of Ki-51 Sonias operating in New Guinea in 1943. These planes mostly flew recon or ground support missions for the IJA. They were brought to the area because they could take off and land almost anywhere and were tough & reliable.

The planes are Shapeways and they are very low detail. I had a very hard time with the canopies as they are very poorly represented on the model. More than one do-over and a lot of patience to get even the marginal result that I managed. All planes were base coated with my Iwata HPCS airbrush. I switched to the PS-771 by Creos for fine lines of camo. All paints were Mr Color. If anyone wants to know details, let me know and I will get the color number for you. Mr. Color does an outstanding line of military colors and their IJA/IJN series are the most historically accurate out there. I chose not to try any panel lines or weathering on these. I worked so hard to get the camo that I didn't want to mess it up.

Here is the flight of three 26th and one 27th Sentai together.


This one was from the 27th Sentai. I did the tail code using the Misc Mini strip sets.


These three are all 26th Sentai using stock Misc Mini decals.

[malachi]

Those are some beautiful gradients on the camo schemes, Dave! Very nice planes

[Guntruck]

Well worth all the effort, Dave

[Flying Helmut]

Super Sonias!

[Teaticket]

Wonderful flight of planes Dave. Hope to get to see them soon in person.

[milcoll73]

they look awesome none the less!!!

[Dak21]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the feedback.

[Stumptonian]

....More than one do-over and a lot of patience to get even the marginal result that I managed. ..

I'll take your 'marginal' result any time, Dave.
Great work on these.

[OldGuy59]

Teaser...


83rd Chutai, Borneo