Hasegawa 1/48 Hasegawa 1/48 Ki-61-I Tei Type 3 Hien (Tony) 'Prisoner of War' Kit First Look
By Michael Benolkin
| Date of Review | March 2016 | Manufacturer | Hasegawa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Ki-61-I Tei Type 3 Hien (Tony) | Scale | 1/48 |
| Kit Number | 07420 | Primary Media | Styrene, Resin |
| Pros | Simple kit | Cons | See text |
| Skill Level | Basic | MSRP (USD) | $42.99 |
First Look
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Kawasaki began development of the Ki-61 Hien (flying swallow) in late 1939 in response to a requirement for a new fighter designed around Ha-40 engine, a license-built Daimler Benz DB 601. The forward fuselage has similar lines as the Heinkel He 100 which was also powered by the DB 601, but the rest of the aircraft is based upon Kawasaki experience. Over 3,000 Ki-61s were produced during the war and some survived the war to serve the air forces of China, Taiwan, and Indonesia.
Here is a regular subject in Hasegawa's limited edition series, this time paired with a new decal sheet to depict the aircraft 'under new management'. The kit is molded in light gray styrene and presented on four parts trees plus one small tree of clear parts. Among the features and options with the Ki-61 kit:
- Simple construction
- Nicely detailed cockpit
- Canopy is not positionable
- Optional external fuel tanks
Markings are provided for two aircraft:
- Ki-61-I, captured, USMC, Okinawa, 1945
- Ki-61-I, 23 Independent Flight Company, Okinawa, 1945
The markings provide an interesting set of markings options, one for the aircraft just before the Marines landed, and possibily the same aircraft after Okinawa was secured for evaluation of captured military hardware.
If you're looing for an interesting and quick project, this is still a good choice for your scale flightline.
My sincere thanks to Hasegawa USA for this review sample!