Mark's Meng (the Merciless) Kayaba

[Mark]

Let me be the first to declare my entry. It's the 1/72 Meng Kayaba. This is a Japanese prototype fighter than never made it to production.
For the UK RRP of about 13 quid (a bit cheaper in China ) you get two kits in the one box. However, I'll probably only enter one in the competition.
It's a rather small plane, but I plan on doing a 'what if' type model which has done the rounds and is looking a bit worse for wear (unless I mess it up, in which case I'll resort to the second kit

[royjess]

I've just googled the Meng Kayaba and I'm looking forward to seeing this build. A great choice!

[steve131]

Looks like a cross between a Mig and a Horten

[casper]

interesting plane Mark, very short fuselage
casp

[Mark]

It is an interesting plane, but a very diminutive model. However, I need a quick build as I've got a lot on my plate at the end of the year !!

[Mark]

Here's what you get for your money.



There are two identical main sprues



Some nice surface detail



The rockets and jet pipe are cast using slide mould technology. Very good quality too. Just a very little mould line that will come off with a gentle sanding.



There is also a small clear fret with two wind screens and a diminutive sheet of decals.



Finally, the instruction sheet. There are several options, including fitting the rockets or not, undercarriage or dolly, etc.

[Jesscheekylee]

I like it, looking forward to see the finished build


Jess

[Mark]

The first job on this kit is to decide what options you're going to fit. Booster rockets, undercarriage, hung from a bomber, etc. Meng have thoughtfully given each option half depth holes which you can drill out from the inside.



I'm fitting one with the booster rockets sitting on a dolly and one with wheels. I've decided to make both models at the same time, but probably only enter one in the competition. One is going to be a well worn Japanese fighter, and the other a 'what if' type aircraft, mainly to amuse Jess. See if you can guess the what if scheme before I apply paint that will give it away

One thing I did notice about the kit. This plane was never built. It was a development of the Ku-2 & Ku-3 swept wing, tailless gliders that the Japs were developing, but the project was cancelled before the powered version was built. It seems to be fairly well documented that it was supposed to be powered by a ram jet, possibly based on the HeS 001. I can't find any pictures of that particular engine. However, the kit has turbine vanes on the intake and exhaust on the engine. That is clearly wrong as a ram jet doesn't have any vanes.

I did think about leaving the vanes off, but then the cockpit would show through the intake. Clearly the drawings that were found needed a bit more development work as the pilots feet were dangling in the engine Anyway, plan B is to cut the vanes off the intake disc, and then paint it matt black. I'll leave the exhaust fan off completely and paint the inside of the fuz matt black too. I think that will look slightly more authentic.

[Mark]

I've finally managed to make a start on this kit with the cockpit. It's pretty much out of the box, with just the addition of some tan painted 0.7mm masking tape seat belts. The ends were painted silver for the buckles.

[royjess]

Looking really good, that masking tape must be very thin and fiddly to fit. Well done

[Mark]

A little more progress. Here is the cockpit and jet pipe in place.



And the fuz buttoned up. Now it's time for a bit of de seaming

[casper]

Nice cockpit

[Mark]

Thanks Casper

[royjess]

Looking great so far!

[Mark]

Thanks Roy. The speed I'm going, looks like I'll be up against the wall to finish it in time !! Anyway, I've de-seamed the fuz. There was a bit of a mis-match just behind the cockpit, but the rest was pretty good. I just gave it a bit of Mr Surfacer 1200 over the join and sanded it back with a sanding stick. Always use a sanding stick wet. It sands quicker and smoother as the water carries the dust away. The sanding stick lasts longer too !!

Wings fitted now, and I made the dolly just so she has something to stand on.

[Mark]

Here are the models with the basic construction completed.



I masked the canopy with Tamiya's new flexible masking tape round the edges. It seems very good. It's a plastic tape that can stretch a bit. The corners and the bulk of the screen were masked with liquid mask, being the quickest and easiest way !!

[royjess]

There is something about these that I love, is it me or are these models quiet small?

[Mark]

Definitely quite small. I'll put the traditional OXO cube in the next photo

[royjess]

I thought if you drill a hole in the top of one and several holes in the top of the other, they would make a nice salt and pepper set

In all seriousness I do like these.

Roy

[Mark]

Unfortunately I've had a bit of a setback with this kit. The chipping fluid didn't go on very well. It seemed a bit thick, but I assumed it was airbrush ready. Wrong !!! It went on rather thick.
Anyway, I pushed ahead and sprayed the top coat. However, that went on a bit patchy. Now time has run out and I'm flying home for 2 weeks hols tomorrow, so I won't be able to try and rescue it. I'll try and sort it out, but sadly it won't be fit for a competition entry