Step by Step 1/72 Mitsubishi G4M1 "Betty" SWORD

Molding or Flash ★★★☆☆
Fitting ★★★☆☆
Easy to Build ★★☆☆☆
Decal Quality ★★★★★
Music ; Asher Fulero ( KZbin Audio Library )

[@shanemills3879]

I think you mean "Admiral Yamamoto"? Nitpicky, sorry......but that's an absolutely gorgeous build!!

[@ScaleModelsJPN]

Thank you for your comment. It was Admiral Yamamoto, not General Yamamoto.

[@DavidRLentz-b7i]

David R Lentz, Columbus, Ohio, USA (Monday, 7 October, 2024) Builders of this kit, for another perspective on detailing it, first take a close look at this video: “Tamiya 1:48 G4M1 Rikko (Betty)” (rebelsatcloudnine, Saturday, 25 February, 2017), which shows the assembly of the Tamiya 1:48th-scale kit of the Mitsubishi G4M1 Imperial Japanese Army twin-engine bomber (Allied code name “Betty”). You can use this to make more accurate the smaller model. The box evidently includes the unit markings for the personal transport of Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, commander of the Imperial Japanese Navy, and planner of their attack upon Pearl Harbour, when on 18 April, 1943s the USAAF’s Lockheed P-38G Lightning Twin-Engine Single-Seat Fighter-Interceptors shot down his aircraft and the three escorts-another “Betty”, and two Mitsubishi A6M Zero Fighters-accompanying him. A suggestion: create a forced perspective ærial diorama (FoPÆD) of combat aircraft in various scales (here, just two), the smaller models behind the larger. First, acquire one of Tamiya’s G4M1 bomber kit (its tail number is “H 324”, whilst the Sword replica’s is just “323”), one of their 1:48th-scale P-38G Lightning model, an A6M Zero model in that scale, and 1:72nd-scale kits of the latter two. Second, build them all airborne (propellers spinning, undercarriage retracted, their doors closed, the crew figures in their seats, etc.). As this is a highly dramatic encounter, one must position the flight controls sharply deflected to illustrate such highly dynamic movement of sharp manœuvres. The USA’s warbirds swiftly dove upon their quarry from high altitude. Meanwhile, the enemy pilots were caught completely unawares, so their planes would be falling to the Pacific Ocean, in mere seconds having suffered catastrophic damage.

[@ScaleModelsJPN]

Thank you for the detailed information.

[@DavidRLentz-b7i]

@@ScaleModelsJPN You're welcome. Thank you for your recognition.

[@nicktsambassis8913]

Beautiful! I made the Hasegawa kit back in the day; this one seems like a better kit overall.

[@ScaleModelsJPN]

Thank you for your comment. Hasegawa's G4M1 is a 1969 tool, so it's ★★☆☆☆. However, since G4M2 is a 1996 tool, it is ★★★★☆.

[@RaduB.]

Hi! Although it required possibly more work, it certainly looks better than the old G4M1 from Hasegawa. And the resulting model is quite nice! Thank you for sharing! The next one it's an interesting one! 🙂

[@ScaleModelsJPN]

Thank you for your comment.

[@isorokuyamamoto8948]

First LIKE!

[@ScaleModelsJPN]

Thank you !

[@2-Hands]

Very NICE!

[@ScaleModelsJPN]

Thank you !

[@ktos337]

Hello! Great Build! Did You paint undersurfaces in natural metall or grey?

[@ScaleModelsJPN]

Thank you for your comment. I painted it light gray. But natural metal is correct as stated in the instructions.

[@igorsevcov4081]

🤝👍

[@ScaleModelsJPN]

Thank you !

[@mtaylor44]

It is very disappointing that Sword made this kit with the bomb bay doors molded are part of the fuselage halves. For combat missions they completely removed them. This model can only be made for a G4M1 configured for reconnaissance, transport, or ferry missions. If someone made an after-market bomb bay with bombs and/or a torpedo, you would have to cut the doors off. Also, the top and side gun positions are molded closed. Yeah, you get engraved panel lines, canopy masks, and resin engines, but for the additional cost, I don't see this as a better model than the old Hasegawa kit. Look at what Azur did with the Martin B-10 when compared with the old Williams Brothers kit, or the new ICM Ki-21 Sally over the old Revell (Japan) kit.

[@ScaleModelsJPN]

Thank you for your comment. Certainly, I wanted the bomb bay door to be a separate part. ICM Ki-21 Sally went on sale in Japan yesterday. I will be making a video in the near future.

[@ВБосак]

👍✌

[@ScaleModelsJPN]

Thank you！