Zoukei-mura Concept Note SWS IV

Review Name: North American P-51D/Concept Note SWS No. IV
Reviewed by: David Goudie, IPMS No. 6340
Review Product Type: Aircraft
Review Type: Publication
Author(s): “The Zoukei-Mura Development Team”
Manufacturer: Zoukei-Mura/Volks Inc. (Publisher)
Manufacturer website: http://www.zoukeimura.co.jp/en/index.html
Mfr Stock No. SWS No. IV
ISBN No.: 978-4-903596-11-2
MSRP: $22.00 for P-51D
Provided by: Review author
Vendor Web Site: http://www.zoukeimura.co.jp/en/index.html
Publication Review:
Zoukei-Mura is a relatively new manufacturer of model aircraft kits and linked accessories. The
company has named the first kits in 1/32 scale their "Super Wing Series". Releases seem to be
about one a year up to this point and the kits are highly accurate and detailed to the “nth” degree.
Kit releases to this point include (in order):
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
J7W1 SHINDEN
Focke-Wulf Ta152H-1
A-1H SKYRAIDER U.S.NAVY
P-51D Mustang
Sd.Kfz.2 Kettenkrad
Perusing the Zuokei-Mura website http://www.zoukeimura.co.jp/en/index.html will also reveal a
full line of kit upgrades to further enhance and detail each model. As a matter of fact, this
company has accomplished a lot more in its short existence than many older and more experienced
manufacturers.
Included in the company’s full line of accessories for their kit releases is “The Concept Note”
issued as a series numbered SWS-I thru SWS-IV. The numbers coincide with the kit numbering
and are in order of release. This review covers Concept Note SWS-IV for the SWS-IV P-51D
Mustang. Concept Note SWS III for the A-1H Douglas Skyraider was previously reviewed by
Rick Bellanger, IPMS# 35220 http://web.ipmsusa3.org/content/1h-skyraider-concept-notes-swsno-iii . With minor differences, each in the series is the same and worth the prices.
I purchased this book from the Zukei-Mura booth at the IPMS/USA National Convention 2012.
Like the kits, these books are a modeler’s dream with detailed information on how the kits are
researched and developed, along with detailed descriptions of the kit assembly and detailing. The
descriptions are written by modelers and are good references with step-by-step construction
guides. Several model builds are included, including an interesting on where foil is used to get the
natural metal finish. IPMS/USA’s own Dave Morrissette is author of one of the articles and covers
“Betty Lee III”.
Included also are several P-51D “in actions”, and interesting information of design features of the
machine with descriptions of the whys and hows. In reality almost anything a modeler needs to
research and build one of these kits. Those interested in engineering or technical aspects will also
find good stuff. A super detailer can build one of these models and be satisfied or purchase as
many upgrades as he wishes to further detail the model.
At the end of the reviewed publication you will find four pages of detailed cut-away blue line
drawings in 1/48th scale. The last page of this contains a general specification chart along with
drawings of the three canopy types used, i.e. Dallas, Inglewood (early) and Inglewood (late).
The coups-de-gras is administered with the inclusion of a fold-out poster printed on heavy matte
paper. Shown are a large sampling of well and not-so-well known aircraft with information on the
aircraft unit and pilot. Example: “P-51D-25NA , Sr. no.44-73108, “Red Dog XII” of the 344th FS,
4th FG, Flown by Maj. Louis H. Norley Jr.” Nineteen other aircraft are included, including “Cripes
A’ Mighty” and “Old Crow”.
The Zoukei-Mura people had a full crew at their large vendor booth which included the owner of
Zoukei-Mura, Hideyaki Shigeta, and his two sons. They were delightful people and were happy to
autograph any purchases and also insisted on taking a photo of each person who made a purchase.
I am happy to recommend this “Concept Notes” and the rest of this series even if you don’t have
the kits from this company. Any other manufacturer’s kit for the subject aircraft would be well
served for a builder with these references on his bench.
As a side note I will add that Hideyaki-san was announcing to people surrounding his booth that
we should expect new models which would surprise and please everyone. I remain tuned in,
having all four of the current releases in my stash.