Plamo Manuals are How-To guides for building specific types of models from Model Art in Japan, a prolific publisher of high-quality periodicals on current modeling subjects. This issue (Plamo Manual No. 8) is devoted to converting aircraft models. The theme is to take a currently available aircraft kit and convert it to another version of the real-life aircraft for which no kit is available (or is out of production). For each conversion, pages of small color and B&W photos show how to make the changes needed to change a kit into something else. The text is almost entirely in Japanese, but the photos are self-explanatory. This issue of Plamo Manual also shows how to make certain structures from scratch. Thus, advanced modelers would enjoy this issue, and beginners may need to devote extra time and effort to understand the steps.

Plamo Manual No. 8 is organized into “Modeling Live” and “Hints & Tips” sections. The seven features (sections) are interspersed and not in any particular order. Each page has seven tabs on the edges that tell you (in Japanese) what topic you are looking at. The few pages between features/sections are filled with new kit or supplies information. Unlike Model Art’s monthly magazine, there are almost no advertisements in Plamo Manuals. This explains why the size of Plamo Manuals (116 pages) is less than the size of monthly Model Art issues (~164 pages).

First topic is converting Finemold’s 1/48 scale Mitsubishi A7M1 Reppu (Storm Wind, code-named Sam by the Allies) prototype kit into the A7M3-J Reppu-kai B-29 killer version (Figure 2). This version was designed to attack B-29s with upward-firing naval Type 2 Model 1 30mm cannon added to the upgunned 4 30mm cannon mounted traditionally in the wings (instead of 20mm cannon). It was never produced, so this is a what-if build. The two upward-firing cannon were mounted directly behind the cockpit. Pages 10-27 show in many photos all the changes to this kit to produce this proposed Reppu-kai version.

Second topic (Chapter 01) is a bunch of scratch-building modeling tips for super-detailing aircraft (pages 29-49). Figure 3 shows how to build a box with slope sides as an example. This section includes how to make your own decals on a computer (Chapter 02), which may be problematic if one does not read Japanese. This section is also helpful for expanding general modeling skills for any genre.

Third topic (Modeling Live) is converting Tamiya’s 1/32 F-16CJ kit into a JASDF Mitsubishi F-2 Fighter Support aircraft, complete with JASDF camouflage and marking (Figure 4). Pages 50-67 illustrate how to do the conversion.

Fourth topic (Chapter 03) is more modeling tips for super-detailing or converting specific aircraft model kits. Hellcat, Su-27/30, Me-262, Hawkeye, F-16C kits are covered in great detail. For example, the Hellcat kit was modified to show folded wings, with all the detail on the wing portions exposed by folding.

Fifth topic (Modeling Live) is an ambitious conversion of Hasegawa’s 1/32 scale Tony Ki-61 Hien fighter into the radial-engine Ki-100 Type 5 fighter (Figure 5). Pages 89-107 describe all the steps needed to make this extensive conversion.

The last few pages are what look like an index of other Plamo Manual topics, in Japanese of course.

This issue is recommended if you want to learn new tips and techniques for converting, scratch-building, or modifying aircraft kits. Even if you are not planning these exact conversions, the information can be generally applied to other conversions. The tips and techniques can also be applied to armor, ship, car, and figure modeling, making this Manual more generally applicable than just the few subjects covered. So if you wanted to make a what-if or one-off version of something and had the basic kit, this manual is for you.

Thanks to DragonModelsUSA for the review copy and IPMS/USA for the review opportunity.

Figures

• Figure 1: Front cover of Model Art Plamo Manual No. 8 August 2012 Aircraft Conversion topics.
• Figure 2: An example of the detailed steps for converting a Finemolds Reppu (Sam) kit into a never-built Reppu-kai (Sam) fighter modified to carry a heavy armament of 30mm cannon to attack B-29s.
• Figure 3: An example of modeling tips showing how to build a box with sloped sides.
• Figure 4: Finished model of a Tamiya F-16CJ kit converted into a JASDF F-2 jet fighter.
• Figure 5: Finished model of the Tony converted from a Hasegawa Ki-61 kit into the radial-engine Ki-100 version.