Kawasaki Ki61-I Tei Type 3 Fighter Hein (Tony) ‘244 Flight Regiment Combo (two kits)

[Paul A H]

Kawasaki Ki61-I Tei Type 3 Fighter Hein (Tony) ‘244 Flight Regiment Combo (two kits)

1:72 Hasegawa

The Kawasaki Ki61 Hein (swallow) is probably best known for being the only mainstream Japanese fighter of World War II to be powered by a liquid cooled inline engine. The engine in question was a licence built version of the Daimler Benz DB601 that was used to power the Messerschmitt Bf 109 and Bf 110 fighters. The Ki61 was first deployed in combat in 1943 and served for the rest of the war in the Pacific. The fighter proved to be a successful design, and over 2,600 examples were produced. Despite this, just a handful of airframes exist today in museums.

Because this is another instalment of Hasegawa’s ‘dual combo’ series, two identical kits are supplied in the glossy, top-opening box. Each kit is bagged separately. This particular kit has been around for quite some time, so it is fairly simple by modern standards. Each kit is comprised of just 2 sprues of grey plastic and a single small clear sprue, holding a total of just 37 parts.

As is often the case with older Hasegawa kits, there isn’t too much by way of cockpit detail. Just a floor, seat and an instrument panel are provided, along with a decal to represent instruments. Two pilots are provided, one seated and one standing (and saluting). Given this paucity of detail, you probably won’t be cursing Hasegawa for including a one-piece canopy that cannot be posed in the open position.

Despite the sparse cockpit, the rest of the kit is actually pretty nice. Surface detail is comprised of fine, engraved lines which should show up well under a wash of ink or thinned paint. That said, the panel lines are starting to look a little soft around the forward fuselage, possibly due to the age of the moulds.

The undercarriage is nicely represented, with separate wheels and undercarriage legs, and nicely rendered details such as the scissor links on the main gear legs. The main gear wells are also very nicely portrayed, with convincing rib and hydraulic line detail. The main gear doors will have to be cut if you want to build your model with landing gear deployed, although clear cut lines are moulded into the plastic. Finishing details include simple engine exhausts and a pair of long range under wing fuel tanks.

Three marking options are provided, all for aircraft flown by Captain Teruhiko Kobayashi of the 244th Sentai:

• A natural metal aircraft shown as it appeared in February 1945;

• An aircraft finished in a mottled green over natural metal scheme that it wore in March 1945; and

• A third aircraft finished in a well-worn green scheme from December 1944/January 1945.

The decals are well printed and are nice and glossy, but are a little on the thick side.

Conclusion

A simple kit it might be, but Hasegawa’s Ki61 is still capable of being built into a pleasing model. The engraved panel lines and nicely detailed undercarriage will detract attention from the spartan cockpit, and unless subject to close scrutiny, it won’t look out of place on the model shelf alongside more recent kits. The decal options are also sufficiently different to allow for a bit of variety too, which can only be a good thing.

Review sample courtesy of UK distributors for

[Paul A H]

... and here's the finished article. A nice, simple kit which builds up without any major problems. I chose the scheme which showed an aircraft with a splodged mottle effect on the wings and a heavily chipped fuselage. I had to chip the decals a fair bit so that the markings wouldn't stand out by looking too pristine. Not sure how accurate the scheme is, but it was a hoot to paint.

More pics in RFI.

[Gene K]

Thanks for the review, Paul. The boxart and label is for a Tei (long nose) model, but the plastic appears to be a short nose. Can you confirm, please?

Gene K