Tamiya 1/48 Ki-61 Tony
This was the second time I built the Tony and I was much happier with this model over the older Hasegawa Tony. The cockpit is a gem and after it is complete, you can have the rest of the plane ready for paint in mere hours.
Painting was done with the tried and true Tamiya AS-12 straight from the can which was slightly heated with warm water. The cammo was freehand with Tamiya acrylics and some paint mule practice.
Most of the markings including the red walkways were painted on. Yes, this does involved some time consuming masking but with careful painting you will get results that no decals can do. That said, I did use Lifelike Decals for the numbers and tail design. They were a joy to work with: thin, they slip off the paper easily and react well to Microset and Microsol.
If you are interested in some thoughts on the Tony, comparisons of the Tamiya and Hasegawa Tony and a few more photos, I have a write up here:
Let me know what you think!
Great work on this. The mottling paintwork is outstanding.
It looks really nice! I agree with Dale Travis, the mottling is nicely done.
Excellent job Chris!
The paintwork is really good.
I'm working on this one as well. I'm doing Kobayashi's natural metal example, but with Lifelike decals and a lot of masking and painting.
That's a superb job you've done on the freehand camouflage.
Amazing result, Chris @modelairplanemaker
The paintwork is indeed superb.
You must have spent many hours on this freehanded scheme.
Wow ! most excellent Chris.
Indeed great work. What brush for the mottle?
Hi Bill - it was the Tamiya Super Fine airbrush (rebranded Iwata)
Nice job, Chris. Looks great!
Wow, free hand on the camo, you're a better modeler than me Chris. Great job on this one.
Excellent work, great looking Tony!
Looks fantastic! Well done.
Beautiful modelling Chris, it looks very sharp!
However from a technical and historical point of view there are a number of issues, some quite significant (#21 wasn't a long-nose Hien, for example). I've written them up in the Ki-61 Facebook group. Only read it if not easily offended by nit-picking and rivet counting, please! https://www.facebook.com/groups/Ki61Tony/
From a modelling point of view it looks excellent however.