1/48 Ki-61Tei
This is the original Hasegawa long nose Ki-61 kit from 1994. I bought it brand new when it was released and it marinated in the stash for 31 years. I pulled it out of the stash last month along with a short nose Ki-61 Hei and an Otaki Ki-100. Time to build the Kawasaki fighter family. I wanted to finish this one in an uncamouflaged NMF scheme to differentiate it from the other two which will be in different camo schemes. The kit provides an option for an NMF plane but the decals are awful in addition to being 31 years old. The short nose Hei kit provides better markings for an unpainted 56th Sentai machine. Knowing that the 56th was the first unit to receive the long nose Tei, I could use the tail squadron markings but would need to find individual aircraft numbers. Not having any appropriate numbers in the decal dungeon, I built it as a freshly delivered example prior to being marked. I may or may not source numbers the next time I do a hobby supply order.
The kit builds nicely but is known to have a step at the wing/fuselage join. Simple shims fixed this. I opened the canopy up and used a Squadron vac sliding section to show off what is a very nice cockpit. I used Eduard seat belts and fabricated simple barrels for the recessed wing guns. The interior is painted with Humbrol enamels and the entire exterior is finished with Mr. Color lacquers. The metalwork is done with my new favorite paint, Mr. Color Duralumin Super Metallic 2. Easy to use and bulletproof. Stencils are from a Lifelike decal set for the Ki-61. Two more Kawasakis to follow soon. Happy modeling!
That is a very nice metal finish
Thanks, George!
Yes, John @j-healy, that indeed is a nice metal finish. What’s your secret to getting such fine results out of Super Metallic 2?
No real secret, Eric. Just careful construction and fine sanding of seams. What’s really nice about this paint is it doesn’t need a primer. I thin it about 1:1 with Mr. Color levelling thinner.
Awesome job and a really nice scheme, John!
Thanks, Spiros!
Nice work, chap, and very nice finish. By the way, Hasegawa produced also radial engine KI 100s, two at least that I know of: Ki 100-I Otu (ref 09176) a "bubble top", and Ki 100-I Koh (ref 09144) a "fastback". They were produced in 1995-1996.
Thanks, Jose! Yes, I’m on the lookout for one of the Hasegawa Ki-110 razorbacks.
De nada, señor. By the way, I found the Otsu variant (ref 09138) which sems more or less available in Europe regarding shops (I live in France) for roughly 27 €, I mean available right now, not on swap or flea market.
A beautiful result, John @j-healy
Great solution to get a better wing to fuselage mount.
Thanks, John!
This is a gorgeous build, nice work on the build and the overall finish!
Thanks, Bob!
John: since I know that paint is a beautiful shade of silver, could you run your pix through your photoshop and take out the yellow from the flash? Then we can see this really nice model in all its proper glory.
Thanks, Tom! My wife also thought the pics were too yellow. I thought it was the reflection of the yellow wing ID stripes. I adjusted the warmth and reposted. These do it justice now.
Very nice, John. Much inspiration for my stash items.
Thanks, Gary! We accumulated those stashes to build ‘em. I mostly build from the stash these days.
Beautiful NMF! Looks great
Thanks, Alfred!
G’day John (@j-healy),
That is a fantastic paint finish.
I’ve started using that paint as well, but haven’t tried an overall silver finish like yours yet.
It really highlights the elegance of the airframe.
Liked!
Thanks, Michael!
A real beauty!
Thanks, Robert!
Excellent build and finish, that metal looks great
Thanks, Chas! It’s great paint.
John Healy (@j-healy)
You have hit a home run with this one ! It looks fantastic. I have always liked the Ki-61, and it's my favorite Japanese fighter. Now I need to finish up my 1/32 Hasegawa Hien. Yours is very inspirational.
Well done my friend. I'm clicking on several of the various "like" buttons.
Thanks, Louis!