Kawanishi N1K2-J Type 21 & N1K2-Ja Type 21A Shiden-Kai (George) Decals

Kopro, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Mark Davies

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The two decal sets reviewed here compliment Kopro’s release of a N1K2-J Shiden- Kai kits in 1/72-scale. These and their N1K1 Shiden kits are re-boxes of the Aoshima kits. The decals will of course suit kits of the Shiden-Kai by Aoshima and Hasegawa equally well.

The decals come packaged in very close-fitting cellophane bag. My samples had one that was sealed and one that was resealable.  I prefer the resealable kind although its sticky flap tended to adhere to the instructions. The sealed one was hard to cut open because its sealed edges are so close to the contents, and once opened there is the risk that the decals will fall out. Whatever Kopro saves in cost over the more typical zip-lock polythene bags used for decals is not worth it in my view. I find that the cellophane kind annoying to use.

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Another cost cutting measure is the absence of an insert or header showing the schemes offered; instead, only one scheme is apparent from the folded instructions within. This is probably not much of a disadvantage given that most orders will be on-line, where the stockist’s website will most likely display the schemes on offer.  
Inside each bag is a two-sided A-4 page paint and markings guide, and of course a decal sheet. Printed in glossy colour, the instructions have four-view placement guides for the two subjects covered in each case. The drawings are clear and easy to follow. The Paint colours are in English and Czech; and they are cross-referenced to Humbrol, Agama and FS.595.

The decals have good registration and colour density looks good too. The subjects have some interesting markings, which is a good thing as there is not much variation in base colour schemes for Shidens. As far as I am aware, they only came in the standard IJN green over IJN grey with yellow recognition markings on the wing’s inboard leading edges.  The aircraft concerned are:

• 94157 - N1K2-J Type 21. Both schemes from the 443rd Kokutai, 301st Hikotai, Omura Air Base, Japan, May 1945.

• 94162 - N1K2-Ja Type 21A. Both schemes for unknown units, Japan, 1945.

These are good quality decals with simple and clear instructions. The use of tight-fitting cellophane bags may help reduce cost, but I regard them to be frustrating to use. I hope that Kopro considers changing to the zip-lock polythene bags that most decal makers use.

The Shiden was a bit like Ford’s Model T when it came to colour scheme options, or rather a lack of them. Kopro has chosen aircraft with some interesting markings, which should add some colour and appeal to the models wearing them.

Despite my cellophane bag phobia, I am happy to recommend these decals.

Take time to check Kopro’s large range of decals; the number of interesting and useful subjects they cover surprised me.

Thanks to hobbyshop.cz for the review sample.

Review Text & Blue Background Images Copyright © 2012 by Mark Davies
Page Created 13 August, 2012
Last updated 13 August, 2012

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