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!
2 additional images. Click to enlarge.
dale travis said on March 5, 2022
Great work on this. The mottling paintwork is outstanding.
Jeff Carle said on March 5, 2022
It looks really nice! I agree with Dale Travis, the mottling is nicely done.
Spiros Pendedekas said on March 5, 2022
Excellent job Chris!
Tom Cleaver said on March 5, 2022
The paintwork is really good.
Steven Brandon said on March 5, 2022
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.
John vd Biggelaar said on March 5, 2022
Amazing result, Chris @modelairplanemaker
The paintwork is indeed superb.
You must have spent many hours on this freehanded scheme.
Paul E. Owens said on March 5, 2022
Wow ! most excellent Chris.
Bill Koppos said on March 5, 2022
Indeed great work. What brush for the mottle?
Chris Wallace said on March 6, 2022
Hi Bill - it was the Tamiya Super Fine airbrush (rebranded Iwata)
gary sausmikat said on March 5, 2022
Nice job, Chris. Looks great!
Tom Bebout said on March 6, 2022
Wow, free hand on the camo, you're a better modeler than me Chris. Great job on this one.
Bob Torres said on March 6, 2022
Excellent work, great looking Tony!
Greg Kittinger said on March 7, 2022
Looks fantastic! Well done.
Ronnie Olsthoorn said on March 7, 2022
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.