Arii's classic J2M3 OOB - better than you'd think!

[Faust]

I love eclectic subject matter; whether it’s cars, planes tanks or robots, a model of something out of the ordinary usually gets my immediate attention, not to mention my money and time. However, there are some “famous” and “mainstream” subjects that are just too  cool to turn away from. For me, one of those is the somewhat-famous J2M Raiden, known as “Jack” to the Allies in WWII.

I usually prefer Japanese multi-seat or multi-engined planes; most of their single-seaters don’t do much for me. However, the Jack, whick looks almost as much like an air racer as an interceptor has always  been a favourite of mine. The problem is, there are almost no good kits of it in 1/72, and I’m not willing to pay what they want for the few that do exist. However, since the Jack is so small, even in 1/48 it’s not a lot bigger than some 1/72 WWII twin-engined planes.

Thus, I was able to finally add a Jack to my collection recently by picking up the old Arii second-hand. I have to say, give the age, it’s a good looking kit. Sure, it’s not as detailed as some more modern ones, perhaps, but for what I paid (and how horrified I was with the Arii Wirbelwind I got was) I was very pleasantly surprised.

Check out my out of box review for this likely mostly-forgotten example of Japan’s pudgy interceptor at the link below! Anyone built this guy?

I can't get the linking to work, but paste this address in to see the review:

https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/model-kits/out-of-box-reviews/arii-148-mitsubishi-j2m3-model-21-raiden-jack-oob

[Snake45]

All that series of ARII (ex-Otaki) WWII fighters is pretty good. Some have a few easily corrected flaws, but overall, they're simple and good-looking builds. To this day, their Hellcat just might be the best 1/48 Hellcat available. If it's not, it can certainly be built to sit on the same shelf with whatever IS "the best."

[Arjay 396]

All that series of ARII (ex-Otaki) WWII fighters is pretty good. Some have a few easily corrected flaws......

Walk away from their P-40E Warhawk.  One studied look at the wing in planform will tell you that it's hopelessly hosed with no practical method of correction.  Go with the Hasegawa or ProModeler kit instead.

[Mike999]

I have no idea if ARII's kit of the Nakajima Ki-44 Shoki 'Tojo' is any good. But if I ever see one loitering around a kit show at a low enough price, I think I'll buy it just for the box art.  The Tojo seems to have "kill marks," those golden wings on the fuselage.  And its intended target, those B-29's passing overhead, is a nice touch.

 

[Faust]

Man, that box art is awesome! The Japanese really got dramatic box art, didn't they? I have one for the LM Ki-109 that has a B-29 going down hard with one wing literally torn off. That's pretty dramatic too!

Having a Shoki to go with the Raiden would be nice, I will admit. 

[Mike999]

Not that I'm trying to tempt you or anything.  But several ARII "Tojos" are on eBay right now for less than US $20, including shipping.  Yes, of course I weakened and bought one...

[Snake45]

Walk away from their P-40E Warhawk.  One studied look at the wing in planform will tell you that it's hopelessly hosed with no practical method of correction.  Go with the Hasegawa or ProModeler kit instead.

The P-51's horizontal tail is hosed, too (looks like a Grumman product), but it's easily fixed with good drawings and a little file work. The engine in the Corsair is the most "Mickey Mouse"-looking model part I have ever seen--literally--but again, that's easily replaced with something better.

I think I have at least one example of all the Otaki/ARII WWII fighters--and piles of some of them--but haven't built them all.

[Arjay 396]

Yeah, I remember that sad-a$$ed Pratt & Whitney in the Corsair kit.  By comparison, the engines in the Hellcat and Thunderbolt are Tiffany-cut diamonds.  But as you posit, most of the old Otaki/Arii kits build up well and can be the basis of a pretty solid replica.

[stavanzer]

I love these old Arii/Otaki kits, and pick them up when I can.  The Japanese Planes are really good, the others are a mixed bag. AMT even boxed some of these years ago. I have the Spitfire and Zero in AMT boxes.

[Snake45]

On 8/26/2017 at 1:55 PM, Mike999 said:

I have no idea if ARII's kit of the Nakajima Ki-44 Shoki 'Tojo' is any good. But if I ever see one loitering around a kit show at a low enough price, I think I'll buy it just for the box art.  The Tojo seems to have "kill marks," those golden wings on the fuselage.  And its intended target, those B-29's passing overhead, is a nice touch.

 

I started one of those MANY years ago...got it as far as ready for paint, and laid the yellow on the wing leading edges. Maybe I should parole it from the Shelf of Doom and drag it across the finish line this year....