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Well my Ki-45 is finally finished. It was a really nice build, with the only real trouble caused by my own hand, by not masking the rear section between the rear gunners hatch and far rear glass. Other than that, the kit has a LOT of parts in it, near enough to make a whole other model if certain other parts were acquired. The most amazing thing about the kit was the fit. Overall, it was really excellent, but especially so for such a complex large model. The results really came together at the end, despite my best efforts to the contrary. Thanks to all those who followed along though all the trials and tribulations. Cheers and I hope you enjoy! Next round, closer up shots: Still more....................

I broke one of the super micro MLED light leads on my F-104D, and had to order a replacement, which the wait for, promptly killed all motivation for the build and subsequently a lot of modeling MoJo in general. In hopes of rekindling some modeling fire in anticipation of my normal Christmas into New Years work period where I work from home for two weeks, and generally its a time of light work, with lots of fun modeling if I have a good subject, I have busted out onto the bench my latest acquisition, the 1/32nd ZM Ki-45 Kai Ko: I've heard such rave reviews of how well the newest gen ZM kits fit, and having talked to the "old man" and his son several times, I was thinking this may very well be the good fitting fun to build kit that could get some of my modeling MoJo back on track. The box is thick, and come absolutely stuffed with plastic. I've really only got a few AM parts to go with it, but I did get the Master barrel set, the ZM weighted wheels and an IP from Yahu: The scheme I have chosen is fairly well known in pictures, but its quite unusual in its equipment make up. This particular Kai-Ko, has the short nose like all Kai-Ko, but the landing light is covered over and painted in camo colors, as well as the fact that unlike most Kai-Ko, it has the fuselage mounted oblique firing guns as well: Ive ordered in some MRP colors and approximated them as best I could from photos. I think all will work for its intended purpose with the exception of the light grey. Im still up in the air about that one. The grey in the photos is obviously very light, but white is still a very visibly different shade. The MRP grey I have gotten may be too light. I wont know until I do some test spraying later. I may have to switch out to an ever so slightly darker shade of gray. Now the ZM Kai-Ko kit does not come with the oblique firing guns, parts nor the correct cover to allow the guns through the top of the fuselage, but thanks to our own Andy/Kagemusha I've got that covered too, as he is sending me the correct fuselage upward firing guns that will replace the fuel tank that is supposed to sit in that same spot. Its snowing very lightly here on this Sunday afternoon as I write this, Ive only gotten just a ways on the engines and engine stands so far: All for now lads, as I hope to start ramping up progress quickly on this one so I can get back in the swing of things! Cheers,

Hello all, OK my 1st in-progress build here, I just love the ZM concept and of course the kits! Here are a few shots of the engine dry fitted onto the frame. Sorry for the cell phone pic, I'll shoot more on a proper background. Parts of the model have been shot with primer to check seams etc....so it looks a little messy! Other than following kit directions I haven't added anything yet, but I did drill out the bolt holes on the upper frame. ZM 2 by The 3rd Placer, on Flickr ZM 3 by The 3rd Placer, on Flickr ZM 1 by The 3rd Placer, on Flickr Thanks for looking, Ryan

I wondered if anyone with a ZM Skyraider kit would be prepared to measure up the kits windscreen moulding for me? I'm sizing up a Trumpeter kit for an AEW1 conversion but withe the overwide Trumpeter kit parts, the differently shaped sliding canopy on this version is getting seriously overwide to look good. I think I will have to sort out the windscreen after all..... Thanks in advance Tim PS if I could borrow a canopy windcreen to measure, that would be even better! Promise not to damage it of course!!!

Work in progress for one of the mags - great kit - lots of detail - slow build due to complexity. Lots of fun though! Cockpit, fuel tank bay and rear engine: Fuselage buttoned up - I really hate working with large chunks of clear plastic: Wings and tail parts all done as well - so should have a complete airframe over next few days. Iain

Yesterday Zoukei-mura has send us some more pictures of this build test shot. I was allowed to publish them on our forum and thought I should also show some of them here too, if the admins don´t bother. We got more than a dozen pictures and I will post some of them here. All of them may be seen here: http://spamodeler.proboards.com/post/13412 The pictures we got are rather large (!) so I reduced them to a more suitable size to show them. I had the pleasure to have more than one very close looks at this prototype while attending Zoukei-mura´s booth at the Nuremberg Toy Fair. This one is maybe the very best kit ever done by this Japanese company and I definitely will add one to my collection!

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Just noticed that Volks USA is now taking re-orders for the new Ho 229 kit: http://volksusastore.com/scale/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=2686 They cost $152 each, and shipping for two to New England ran me an additional $17.98. D