Mitsubishi Betty

by Brian Criner

images by Bob Ohler

Tamiya's 1/48 scale Betty is available online from Squadron.com

Here are some photos of my Tamiya Mitsubishi Betty taken by Bob Oehler of Tamiya America. It is my second attempt building this kit.

When I first built one of these kits several years ago, I was still in the process of working out techniques for proper weathering and chipping of paint. Although that first Betty turned out nice, I really wanted a second chance at the kit using some more advanced techniques.

The model was built with the benefit of a few add-ons from Eduard, True Details and stuff I found in my extras box. If you are planning on building a Betty, I would recommend you don't bother with the True Details interior as it doesn't give you much beyond what the kit offers other than some nifty magazines for the guns and some curtains. The Eduard photo-etch was much more useful.

The exhaust stacks are from Moskit. I couldn't find any of the Betty exhaust stacks at the local store (I am assuming that Moskit actually made some), so I used two sets of Ki 44 exhaust stacks. In order to achieve the necessary length, I added some aluminum tubing to the end of the stacks.

Painting and weathering started with a base coat of Testors Model Master Metalizer Aluminum. After buffing it to a nice shine with the Dremel tool, I covered the metalizer with an even coat of Future.

I then pre-shaded with a darkened Burnt Umber followed by the regular top coat of Testor Imperial Navy Green and bottom coat of Testor Japanese Navy Gray.

After hilighting the panels with lighter shades of the original colors, I used some standard masking tape, wrapped in a circle around my fingers, and just pulled away the paint. I followed this process with another coat of future to seal the paint, then decals, then a coat of future to seal the decals followed by a wash using Grumbachers Burnt Umber and Raw Sienna
artist oils.

 

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

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Model and Text Copyright © 2002 by Brian Criner
Images Copyright © 2002 by Bob Ohler
Page Created 23 July, 2002
Last Updated 04 June, 2007

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