1/72 Kawasaki Ki-61-Id Hien (“Tony”)
I completed this 1/72 Japanese fighter today, after four days of work. It is part of the #TonyTonyTony group build on the Bluesky #HistScaleModel group, and is my first group build. It's a straight out of the box build of the 2018 Tamiya kit, but with the Tamiya aftermarket camouflage decals added. The specific subject was a Hien of the 244th Air Group operating out of Chofu Airbase, Japan in May of 1945, piloted by 2nd Lt. Shunzo Takashima.
One of the reasons I was interested in the build was that I knew nothing about the aircraft before starting. The Tony was unique in that it was Japan's only inline engine fighter of the war, using a licensed version of the Daimler-Benz DB601 liquid-cooled inverted V-12 engine that powered the German Me 109 and Me 110. When Allied pilots first saw it - specifically the Doolittle raiders that flew over Yokosuka - they thought it was a license-built Me 109. Later observers thought it was an Italian Macchi C.202, hence the code name "Tony."
This is the first Tamiya aircraft kit I have built, and it was spectacular. The fit was great, the painting call-outs the most detailed I've ever seen, and the decals went on well.
Excellent result, Michael! I agree, this, as many 1/72 Tamiya kits, is excellent!
She looks wonderful, Michael @mcsmith1964
Those camouflage decals did came on very nice.
Nice work, Michael. I just finished a 1/48 Tony and will post it later.
Beautiful build, Michael! You can't go wrong with the 1/72 scale Tamiya Japanese kits. They are famous for their Zero family, but their George often gets overlooked.
Great job! Could pass for 1/48
Excellent build! I had a go with those camo decals and messed it up royally. Looking forward to another attempt sometime in the near future.
Nicely done, this is a sharp looking Tony!
That's an awesome looking Hein!