Nakajima Ki84 Type 4 Fighter Hayate (Frank) Combo (two kits)

[Paul A H]

Nakajima Ki84 Type 4 Fighter Hayate (Frank) Combo (two kits)

1:72 Hasegawa

Founded by Chikuhei Nakajima in 1918, the Nakajima Aircraft Company was Japan’s first native manufacturer of aircraft. The company produced a number of successful designs for the Japanese Armed Forces, not least of which was the Nakajima Ki-84 Hayate (Hurricane). Known as the Army Type 4 Fighter in Imperial Japanese Army Air Service, and simply as the ‘Frank’ to the allies, the Hayate widely regarded as the best mass-produced Japanese fighter aircraft of the war.

The Hayate originated from a design competition instigated by the Air Headquarters of the Imperial Japanese Army for a fighter aircraft designed around a licence built version of the liquid-cooled Daimler Benz DB601A engine. Although Nakajima’s design lost out to the Kawasaki Ki-61, many of the lessons learned during the competition were applied to the design of the Ki-84. Powered by an eighteen cylinder Nakajima Ha-45-21 radial engine, the Hayate possessed excellent all-round performance including a top speed in excess of 400mph and excellent manoeuvrability. Unlike many previous Japanese fighter aircraft, it was also fitted with armour and self-sealing fuel tanks, thus enhancing combat survivability.

Although an effective fighter, the Ki-84 arrived too late to have much of an effect on the war in the Pacific, despite the fact that over 3,500 examples rolled off the production lines. It was plagued by reliability problems throughout its service life, thanks to poor manufacturing and quality control standards. After the cessation of hostilities in 1945, it was dissolved into a number of new companies, including Fuji Heavy Industries and the car manufacturer Subaru.

Hasegawa’s Frank is not one of the Japanese manufacturer’s more recent products, but it is nevertheless well regarded by many modellers. The latest edition of the kit is part of Hasegawa’s extensive limited edition ‘combo’ range, and two kits are supplied in the box. Each kit is comprised of just thirty two parts, which should tell you a little about the relatively simple nature of the kit. The parts are spread across two sprues of grey plastic and a single, small clear sprue which holds the canopy and instrument panel.

Surface detail on the airframe is, for the most part, comprised of delicate, raised panel lines. Some panel lines are recessed however, including those around the engine exhausts and the access panel on port side of the fuselage below and to the rear of the cockpit. In common with most Hasegawa kits of this vintage, the cockpit is somewhat spartan, although the basic components are all there. There is a floor, with the rudder pedals and some other details moulded in place, a seat, which is quite nice but has an ejector pin mark in a rather awkward place, and a control column. The instrument panel is moulded in clear plastic. There is no raised detail on the instrument panel, but a decal is provided instead.

It shouldn’t take long to put the cockpit together, but before sealing the fuselage halves you also have to assemble the Nakajima Ha-45 radial engine. This is comprised of the propeller reduction gear housing and the engine itself. The second row of cylinders is just visible between the gaps in the first row, and although it’s a fairly simple representation, it should pass muster under the cowling. The cowling itself is moulded separately to the fuselage. The carburettor air intake at the top of the cowling has reasonably realistic depth to it.

The wings are fairly typical for a kit of this type and are moulded in a single lower span and port and starboard upper spans. The tail planes are simple, solid pieces. Rudders, elevators and ailerons are all moulded in place. Two drop tanks are supplied by way of ordnance, although their use is not really optional as the holes are pre-drilled in the lower wing. In common with many other Hasegawa kits like this one, the undercarriage is very nicely represented, with realistically positioned scissor links. The wheels are simple but effective and the detail in the main landing gear wheel wells is excellent. The canopy is moulded in one piece, so it can’t be posed in the open position without surgery, although given the basic nature of the cockpit, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Three options are catered for on the decal sheet:

Ki-84 of the 51st Flight Regiment, Shimodate Airfield, February 1945 (designated as Squadron Leader Captain Tadao Ikeda’s aircraft;

Ki-84 of the 22nd Flight Regiment, Korea, 1945; and

Ki-84 of the 101st Flight Regiment, Fujieda Airbase, Summer 1945

The decal sheet is the usual Hasegawa fare, which means it is nicely printed but the decals look a little on the thick side. The whites also appear to be slightly cream, although if they behave in the same way as the decals supplied in the recent ‘Tony’ combo set, then they should turn perfectly white when applied.

Conclusion

Although Hasegawa kits of a certain age, such as this one, are pretty simple, they still manage to tick most of the right boxes by getting the basics right. The raised panel lines won’t be to everyone’s taste, but on a Japanese aircraft where most of the weathering can be accounted for by paint chipping rather than grimy panel lines, they shouldn’t pose too much of a problem. There isn’t a massive amount of variety on the decal sheet, but it’s probably enough to do justice to the pair of kits supplied in the box. Overall then, this is a decent little package.

Review sample courtesy of UK distributors for

[Sgt.Squarehead]

And a veritable bargain.....Two distinctly average kits in one box at an rrp of £33.49!

Personally I'd rather treat myself to a Sword kit.....Hell I could buy two Sword kits and still have over a fiver in change from what Hasegawa would have me spend on their junk.

Hasegawa have completely lost the plot with their pricing.....It's just ridiculous!

Edited October 7, 2012 by Sgt.Squarehead