Review by Geoff Coughlin (June 2017)
I love new-tool releases – they help you to feel that the hobby is in good health :) And that’s what we have here – a brand new Ki-61 Id Hien (Tony) in 1:48 scale.
This kit is from Tamiya and so you just know that the fit is going to be excellent – it always is! The parts-breakdown is simple and straightforward and the precise recessed panel line detail will please just about everyone. I can say straight away that if WWII fighter aircraft and WWII Japanese fighters are remotely near your area of interest you should seriously consider buying this kit, it’s superbly produced, even if the price is a bit steep here in the UK.
Just take a look at these photos and you’ll see the quality on offer.
The model shape is excellent, looking to be very accurate as you might also expect from Tamiya. That’s good enough for me and this magazine – it certainly looks right.
A helpful inclusion is the moulded internal framework for the wings that will help create a nice rigid structure when assembling your model.
Engine included…
You do get a decent-looking Daimler-Benz DB 601 engine (the original design was built around this powerplant) to instal in your model and I get this if you intend to complete your project using the clear fuselage halves provided. Personally, I think that the fuselage clear sections are a pretty pointless inclusion, sorry, I just do – and it would be interesting to see where there is demand for this ‘extra’ around the world. I would have preferred a reduced kit price or if not, removable engine cowls, maybe some PE but for a model that retails for nearly £40.00GBP here in the UK, I don’t think the provision of clear fuselage halves is going to increase sales one bit.
The clear polystyrene also tends to be more brittle to work with and it’s easy to crack or split parts when removing them from the sprue frame, so take care if you use them. I also find them hard to work with because you can’t easily see where details are – I noticed then recently when building the Zoukei-Mura Do335 in 1:32.
On a more positive note, some good detail is evident in the cockpit – sidewalls, instrument boxes, seat and pilot – he’s very impressive for the scale and given that this is plastic moulding.
An option for an open or closed canopy is welcome.
Clear parts
These are very clear – among the best out there.
Decals
Impressive looking and very colourful that will please many – here’s the sheet.
Full stencil data is included on the sheets as are the instrument dials. Another inclusion is the seat harness that can work well as a decal, especially if you add it to some pre-painted metal foil and go easy bending it into position on the seat.
Masks
Paint masks for the clear canopy parts are included.
Instruction sheet
This is the usual Tamiya fold-out sheet printed in black and white. Instructions and parts/paint reference labelling is clear and easy to follow. The painting guide is all in black and white and it would also have been better for the modeller to have this printed in colour on glossy paper – many other manufacturers seem to manage it.
To sum up
This kit is beautifully engineered making it a fine product. I bought our kit and although it is very nice I’m left with a sense of disappointment – not too objective I realise that. It may be because of the high price? Or, seeing that there will be a number of parts left in the box that’ll never be used? I don’t know. A sense of a missed opportunity perhaps by Tamiya on this occasion?
Having said that, the schemes on offer are great and will make for an eye-catching model on any display stand. Dave C now has this model and so that means you shouldn’t have to wait very long before you see the full build in SMN-Aircraft.
Geoff C.
SMN Quick summary Star rating out of 5
| FEATURE | STAR RATING (out of five) |
|---|---|
| Quality of moulding | ***** |
| Accuracy | **** |
| Instructions | *** |
| Decals | ***** |
| Subject choice | **** |
| Overall | **** |
Here’s a little bit of background to the Ki-61
(courtesy of Wikipedia…)
(Photo: A Japanese Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien (Allied code name “Tony” – Courtesy US Navy and Wikipedia)
The Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien (飛燕, “flying swallow”) is a Japanese World War II fighter aircraft used by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service. The Japanese Army designation was “Army Type 3 Fighter” (三式戦闘機). Allied pilots initially believed Ki-61s were Messerschmitt Bf 109s and later an Italian aircraft, which led to the Allied reporting name of “Tony”, assigned by the United States War Department.
It was the only mass-produced Japanese fighter of the war to use a liquid-cooled inline V engine. Over 3,000 Ki-61s were produced. Initial prototypes saw action over Yokohama during the Doolittle Raid on 18 April 1942, and continued to fly combat missions throughout the war.
