Scale Aviation Modeller International — February 2018

regard by their ground crews.

They were invariably pristine,

indeed immaculate, because of the

extreme care and maintenance

bestowed upon them. As well, such

dedicated suicide attack aircraft

were brand new, virtually straight

off the production line. Therefore,

my example reflects this, with no

wear and weathering to detract

from the immaculate finish.

Here Brengun advance an

overall IJN light grey appearance.

To faithfully replicate this, I found

Tamiya’s AS-2 IJN Light-Grey (spray

can), and XF-12 (jar) to be ideal for

this crucial aspect of my final work.

The decal sheet carries the

minimal markings and tallies.

Some of these were very small,

but magnification and fine

tweezers, along with a steady

hand, saw this area realized, and

everything went down just fine.

CONCLUSION

Weighing everything up at the end of

my build, I found Brengun’s 1/48 scale

Ohka Model 22 had fully addressed

all of my initial requirements for an

accurate companion to my earlier

Fine Molds Ohka Modell 11.

However, in drawing to a close,

I have to also mention two veteran

examples of this type, one each

from Hawk and Tsukuda Hobby

(which are no longer available), and

one long-established and currently

available contender, Kora Models

Kugisho Ohka Model 22 in1/48 scale

(No.4811). This is a complete and

seemingly comprehensive multi-

media resin presentation, with

etched parts and decals, and a list

price of 49 euros (postage extra).

I have never considered this kit,

despite my interest in the subject,

simply due to its prohibitively

high cost (to me at least).

In fact, the high cost of that kit

led to my eventual commitment to

finally obtaining Brengun’s more

financially viable, and as far as I am

concerned, splendid plastic model.

SOURCES

• Japanese Aircraft of the
  Pacific War: Rene Francillon,
  Putnam, Conway Maritime
  Press, London, 1987.


• Japanese Special Attack Aircraft
  and Flying Bombs: Ishiguro and
  Janusewski, Mushroom Model
  Publications, Redbourn, 2009.


• Kamikaze - Japanese Special
  Attack Weapons 1944-
  45: Steven Zaloga, Osprey
  Publications Ltd, Oxford, 2011.

The restored and well-presented example currently on display in the US National

Air and Space Museum is the ideal comparison to Brengun’s model

Two contemporary images of the tail are interesting in their clear depiction of the jet

exhaust and twin tail assemblage with the rudders and elevator balance weights well

illustrated, all successfully captured by Brengun

1/48

WWW.SAMPUBLICATIONS.COM • FEBRUARY 2018 • 81

076-81-FEAT-Okha-0218.indd 81 12/01/2018 12:11