Beyond The Sprues

Modelling => Completed GBs => Group and Themed Builds => Invasion of Japan/Japan ‘46 GB => Topic started by: robunos on November 19, 2020, 12:53:30 AM

Title: Kawasaki Ki-10-III-KAI- another One Wing Biplane - FINISHED
Post by: robunos on November 19, 2020, 12:53:30 AM

Okay, I'm hoping I can get this one done before the End Date . . .
Originally, this Build came about as a result of a suggestion by Apophenia. Nothing much was done apart from some planning, until this GB came around. With a bit of thinking, I was able to 'adjust' the Back Story' to fit the GB, and as the bench was empty, I decided to go for it . . .


Back Story Part One.


In 1935, even as the Kawasaki Ki-10 was entering service, it was obvious to both Kawasaki and the IJAAF, that the aircraft, even in it's improved Ki-10-II form, was both flawed and in need of improvement. Accordingly, with the encouragement of the IJAAF, taking the form of a commitment, if the new version proved acceptable, to convert the existing orders for Ki-10-IIs to the new version. Kawasaki began a development program, to correct the most serious deficiencies, and if possible, further improve performance.
 The first prototype of the developed version, designated Ki-10-III, appeared in January 1936.
The most obvious difference was the re-location of the wing to the mid- position, from the previous low mounted state.
This eradicated the airoplane's most serious problem, unpredictable behaviour during rolling manouvres, due to the fact that the earlier aircraft rolled about an axis passing through the wing plane, rather than around the thrust line. By careful redesign, the airframe was lightened without loss of strength.New, fully faired cantilever undercarriage legs were developed, along with internally sprung wheels. These were fitted with brakes, which meant that the tailskid was also replaced by a wheel. Finally, the engine was coaxed to develop another 75 hp, by various tweaks and improvements, and a ground adjustable variable-pitch propellor was fitted.  All this added up to an increase in maximum speed of 50mph at 10,000ft, along with much improved handling.
However, the Ki-10-III was still not competitive with the new generation of fighters, such as the Nakajima Ki-27, which were already in development, and on the brink of entering service, thus it seemed that the Ki-10-III would remain nothing more than a prototype.
This changed however, in the Spring of 1937, with the issue of a requirement from the Kwantung Army, in control of the Japanese puppet state of Manchukuo, for a dual-role aircraft, able to perform fighter duties, as well as dive-bombing missions. AS Manchukuo was relatively undeveloped, compred to the Home Islands, the new aircraft needed to be robust, and simple to operate and maintain. It was agreed that the Ki-10-III would form the basis of the new aircraft.
A hard point was added under the belly of the aircraft, between the undercarriage legs, able to carry a 500 lb bomb, or a droppable fuel tank. An internal fuel tank was also added inside the fuselage, under the wing, to enable long range missions over the large, barren areas of Manchukuo. Racks for smaller bombs could be added under the wings. The wings themselves were strengthened for dive-bombing, the obvious external sign being the elimination of the wing root cut-out, the trailing edge now having a straight taper. The tail surfaces were redesigned, to cope with the extra forces encountered during dive bombing, a beneficial side-effect of this was a further improvement in air-to-air agility. The machine gun armament, however, was left unaltered.
This latest was version was designated Kawasaki Ki-10-III-KAI, and entered service in December 1936. It performed well in service, even during the battles of Kalkhin-Gol, when they were used in the anti-tank role. 250 were eventually built.


cheers,
Robin.
Title: Re: Kawasaki Ki-10-III-KAI- another One Wing Biplane
Post by: robunos on November 19, 2020, 12:54:39 AM

Okay, on with the Build . . .
First thing was to build the fuselage, which was pretty much OOB, except for cutting off the fin and tailplane mounts, and drilling ( carefully ) holes for the wing joiner wire.


(https://i.postimg.cc/zGxNGQQJ/01-fus-ready-2.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)


(https://i.postimg.cc/DzDKqXFH/01-fus-ready.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)


(https://i.postimg.cc/8cdQQXWg/01-wing-joiner.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)


I made new tail surfaces, the tailplanes from the tips of the unused kit lower wings, with elevator hinge lines scribed in, and the fin and rudder again from a part from the Spares Box. These were then attached to the fuselage.
I cut off the wing roots at their widest point, then added new roots from the Spare Wings Box. I then drilled ( once again, carefully ) holes into the roots to take the joiner wire. I attached the Port wing, adjusting it to the correct position, leaving the model vertical until the glue had dried down.


(https://i.postimg.cc/BZ2GKbz7/01-wing-vertical.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)


When this was secure, I added the other wing.


(https://i.postimg.cc/KvFhrFSG/01-wings-on-2.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)


(https://i.postimg.cc/02fRV3Pp/01-wings-on.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)


At this point I decided to swap the tailskid for a Tailwheel. I removed the moulded-on skid, filled any remaining holes, and attached a tailwheel from the Spares Box.


(https://i.postimg.cc/fyYZWTGF/01-tailwheel.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)


For the main undercarriage legs I decided to use the main wing struts from an Airfix Hs123 kit that I had spare. I removed the top mounting lug,


(https://i.postimg.cc/C1qpJxx1/01-uc-legs-3.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)


and tried it against the fuselage. This showed that the angle of the top of the leg needed changing. I filed the part until the angle was correct, then repeated with the second leg.


(https://i.postimg.cc/GmLrrRq7/01-uc-leg-raw.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)


(https://i.postimg.cc/7YMDphMJ/01-uc-leg-raw-2.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)


I then attached the legs, as before adding one first, then the second once the first had dried hard.


(https://i.postimg.cc/VstzWDJR/01-uc-legs-1.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)


I then measured the legs to the required length, and cut them off. I planned to use the wheels from an Airfix Grumman Duck kit, so I attached the wheel hubs to the ends of the legs. The wheels will be added later.


(https://i.postimg.cc/Qxrh415r/01-uc-legs-2.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)


Finally for now, a general view of the model's underside.


(https://i.postimg.cc/VvPQhPJF/01-underside.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)


Now it's off to the paintshop . . .


cheers,
Robin.











Title: Re: Kawasaki Ki-10-III-KAI- another One Wing Biplane
Post by: apophenia on November 19, 2020, 11:25:38 AM
This is looking great already -- and love those Henschel undercarriage legs :smiley:

Gotta ask the forum, though ... Besides Robin, does anyone else have a "Spare Wings Box" ?  ;D
Title: Re: Kawasaki Ki-10-III-KAI- another One Wing Biplane
Post by: Frank3k on November 19, 2020, 12:10:39 PM
I think Robin's spare wings box is unique in Whiff world (or any modeling world). Must be nice.
The Ki-10-is looking good with one set of wings, though.
Title: Re: Kawasaki Ki-10-III-KAI- another One Wing Biplane
Post by: jcf on November 19, 2020, 01:41:58 PM
 :smiley: :smiley:

A bit of a Fokker V.23 vibe.

(http://www.huyettm.net/uploads/2/8/0/5/28054229/1221682_orig.jpg)

(http://airwar.ru/image/idop/fww1/fokv23/fokv23-1.gif)
Title: Re: Kawasaki Ki-10-III-KAI- another One Wing Biplane
Post by: finsrin on November 19, 2020, 03:47:44 PM
This improved monoplane version is fitting evolution of Ki-10-II.   :smiley:     Appreciate the pictures.   Fine back story !

Spare wings box is nice to have....
Title: Re: Kawasaki Ki-10-III-KAI- another One Wing Biplane
Post by: robunos on December 08, 2020, 10:46:51 PM

Back story - Part Two.


Following the establishment of the Soviet–Japanese Neutrality Pact, and the start of the Pacific War in 1941, the Manchukuo theatre became a backwater, and apart from occasional action against the Chinese, both Nationalist and Communist, the aircraft saw little action.
As the tide of war turned against the Japanese, the Kwantung Army began to be stripped of personnel and materiel. The Ki-10-III-KAIs remained, however,  being considered obsolete.
 After the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima, Kokura, and Yokosuka in summer 1945 and following the August Coup and overthrow of the Emperor, the military leadership of Japan knew that it was only a matter of time before the Americans would invade the Home Islands. In order to concentrate their remaining forces against this threat, it was vital to prevent a further invasion by Soviet forces. A secret deal was reached whereby the Japanese would abandon Manchukuo to the Soviets, in return for the unhindered evacuation of the Japanese forces to the Home Islands.
Stalin was happy to agree to this, as he considered that the planned US invasion would either fail, or become a bloody, 'meatgrinder' stalemate. With both the American and Japanese forces exhausted by this, the Soviets could, in due course, invade Japan at their leisure, with little opposition.
Thus it was, in November 1945, the Ki-10-III-KAIs returned to bases in the Home Islands, ready to oppose the coming invasion. Many were destroyed or damaged in the incessant US air raids, part of the pre-invasion 'softening-up' process. However, by constant movement between often makeshift bases, made possible by the Ki-10-III-KAI's rugged nature, enough airframes to preserve a viable force survived.
Finally, on March 3rd,  1946, the day of the Hinamatsuri festival, gathered on airfields in Kyushu, with maximum bomb loads attached to their racks, and long range fuel tanks full, the pilots of the  Ki-10-III-KAIs sat ready in their cockpits. They had already seen the first waves of kamikaze fly overhead, on their way to attack the ships of the American invasion fleet, now sighted on the Southern horizon.
The Ki-10-III-KAIs, named by their ground crews Umi Bozu, after the black, ship-destroying Yokai of Japanese legend,
( see http://yokai.com/umibouzu/ (http://yokai.com/umibouzu/) ) had different targets assigned to them. They were to wait until the enemy landing ships, carrying the enemy  troops, and most importantly tanks, were making their final run-n to the landing beach. With the US air cover ( hopefully ) eliminated by the earlier attacks, and the landing ships being less well defended, they would be able to press home their own attacks successfully, and stop the enemy cold before even reaching the beaches . . .


Kawasaki Ki-10-III-KAI Umi Bozu, Kyushu, March 1946 . . .


(https://i.postimg.cc/85yG9Kmt/Ki10-02.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)


(https://i.postimg.cc/4ymGg68Z/Ki10-03.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)


(https://i.postimg.cc/9XnVBkMf/Ki10-04.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)


(https://i.postimg.cc/tgpHTQrB/Ki10-05.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)


(https://i.postimg.cc/C5XgLRt8/Ki10-06.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)


(https://i.postimg.cc/gkLptKXH/Ki10-07.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)


(https://i.postimg.cc/x1K2nTPk/Ki10-07a.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)


(https://i.postimg.cc/8z8S2rLQ/Ki10-08.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)


(https://i.postimg.cc/BvpfPYk4/Ki10-09.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)


A note on colour and markings. the Kawasaki Ki-10-III-KAIs, upon their arrival back in the Home Islands, were refurbished and prepared for their role as 'Special Attack' aircraft. The aircrafts' guns, along with all unnecessary equipment, such as radios, etc., were removed, for re-use or salvage, and the aircraft re-covered and repainted. Along with most items at this stage of the War, paint was in extremely  short supply. The aircraft were given a coat of red-oxide primer, this was about the only decent paint still available in decent quantities, left over after the effective end of ship building, then a top coat of 'black'. This was whatever source of carbon was available, be it lamp black, soot, or even powdered charcoal, mixed in with whatever carrier was available, including the aforementioned red oxide paint. The aircraft's Hinomarus were masked out at this stage, likewise the vertical fin was left in red oxide as a recognition device. Bombs were left unpainted.


cheers,
Robin.
Title: Re: Kawasaki Ki-10-III-KAI- another One Wing Biplane - FINISHED
Post by: GTX_Admin on December 09, 2020, 02:14:08 AM
 :smiley:
Title: Re: Kawasaki Ki-10-III-KAI- another One Wing Biplane - FINISHED
Post by: Dr. YoKai on December 09, 2020, 04:16:59 AM
Plausible and interesting backstory, and an attractive build.
Title: Re: Kawasaki Ki-10-III-KAI- another One Wing Biplane - FINISHED
Post by: apophenia on December 10, 2020, 04:07:09 PM
Agreed, that is a great backstory. And the build is fabulous  :smiley: