1/72 scale "Rufe"

That Darned Cat!!

Good-lookin' fightin' floater, Dan!
Or is it a floatin' fighter...

It's not a "Rufe," though. "Rufe" was the allied code name for the Nakajima A6M2-N, the floatplane version of the Zero (made by Nakajima rather than Mitsubishi in the floatplane role).

Your fine lookin' aircraft is a Kawanishi N1K1 Kyofu (Mighty Wind), allied code name "Rex."
This aircraft became the landbased Kawanishi N1K1 Shiden (Violet Lightning) and N1K2 Shiden Kai (Violet Lightning, Improved), allied code name "George."

It don't matter none...it's a great build!
I love the weathering.
Any other Japanese aircraft in the Dan Hanger?

Looks great, Dan ! Looks like the cat lost, to me ! That plane has such a great-looking nose, like it has more power than it needs. Another interesting fact : it is the only float plane that spawned a land-based fighter. Usually, its the other way around.

Well done ! Looking forward to more pics ! (and keep the cat away from your fine aircraft !)

Oh shoot...you are right, J-Hulk!
I mixed my 2 floatplane kits. Now, I will have to post the completed Rufe as a
Rex. Then all will be wrong and right with these 2 postings.

Thanks for the kind words too.
I have a dozen or so 1/72 scale aircraft, from Avengers to P-40's that I will
complete sometime in the near future. I love these lil guys. I can complete them between larger builds usually overnight, and that is gratifying.
I didn't know that the Rex floatplane came first...that's a first!

Regards, Dan

boybuddho,

very nice build. really do like the "wear and tear" it looks very good.

joe

Good looking plane. I'll have to add one of those to my must build list!

Very cool. I especially like the weathering. It's an interesting plane...

Great looking Rufe, err I mean Rex. Whatever, it's a great build and the cat didn't seem to hurt it much, maybe helped with the realistic weathering? Don't know how you can do em overnight though, your'e supposed to let the paint dry before you decal! If your'e looking for a "bigger" challenge, try the excellent Tamiya Rex in 1/48 scale. Seriously , a very nice model. Keep em coming.

Rick

QUOTE: Originally posted by boybuddho Oh shoot...you are right, J-Hulk! I mixed my 2 floatplane kits. Now, I will have to post the completed Rufe as a Rex. Then all will be wrong and right with these 2 postings.

Heh heh heh!
I figured ya just got your R 'n' Rs mixed up! A Refe, or a Rux, or something!

Hey, this Rex was 1/72? Looked bigger in da pix! A testament to a fine work.

So, now let's see the Rexe! Ah, Rux...hmmm...Rufe?
Yeah, dat's da one!