Tamiya Ki-61 with 'that' colour scheme
This was a quick build of Tamiya's beautifully engineered Ki-61-Id Hien kit in 1/48 scale which I bought on a work trip to Tokyo years ago and have only just got around to building now that lockdowns are over and I can access my workshop again!
I was pleased with the natural metal finish given by using AK Xtreme Metal's Steel and highlights of Aluminium over a Mr Color Gloss Black base layer. I almost went with the scheme without the green mottling - partly to preserve the NMF look and partly because it's an intimidating scheme to freehand with the airbrush. In the end I caved (as most do I think) because the mottled scheme just looks so unique.
Anyhow, I think it came out ok (ish), although I'm clearly out of practice in terms of spray discipline/fine tuning thinner ratios to avoid splatter...
Slideshow build video here for any interested:
https://youtu.be/qdyqG0WZCMg
Looks like your airbrushing is still "up to snuff." Nice result.
Very kind of you to say Tom, thank you!
You've done a spectacular job on what I consider the most handsome single-engine Japanese aircraft of WWII! The modeling mottling looks great too! 🙂
Thanks Gary! Interesting that you like the Ki-61 on looks; as a lifelong aircraft obsessive (especially warbirds), I have to say that I find the Hien airframe interesting but unavoidably ugly to look at... I'd prefer an A6M2/3 or a Ki-84 any day in terms of aesthetic appeal! Funny how these things strike folks differently! 🙂
Came out great, Justin! Excellent mottling. I like AK metallics too.
Thanks John! I've be completely converted by the AK Xtreme metals; they're just so much easier to work with and so much more durable than Alclad...
Very nice looking machine.
Cheers George! 🙂
A wonderful result of a good kit, Justin!
Nice, clean and solid work, love the freehand camo!
Thanks Spiros - your group build invitation was part of the reason I took the plunge to build this one. Hope you're well!
Excellent paintwork, Justin.
You did fantastic work on that camouflage pattern.
Ditto for the rest of build.
I'm delighted that you like it John, thank you!
Justin.
This happens to be my favorite WW2 Japanese aircraft. I have built it too and it’s one of, if not the very best kit on the market today. I have one more left in the stash and I have plans to build it up wearing a bare metal foil finish. So please keep looking for it to pop up here someday.
I like everything about it and you have definitely done some great work with yours. It’s looks really good. So I definitely pressed the liked button.
Take care my friend. Stay safe too.
It's a wonderful kit isn't it! I'll keep an eye out for your foil build - I suspect it'll look stunning!
Thanks for the like and the kind words
Justin, Here’s a link to mine. I went back to the build journal in the original posting. You can see all of it by following this link.
This covers it all from the kit review to the actual build journal and then it wraps up with the final article that shows the completed model. Hope this helps should you decide you want to build another one. I do ! It will be part of the Empire of Japan group build so look for it to show up over there soon.
First I need to get cracking on my 1/48 Monogram / Pro Modeler Junkers Ju-52. I recently discovered a few pictures of “Iron Annie” at my moms house and I will include them in the build journal.
Good grief that must have killed you to cover up that foil work with the green - still, an undeniably fantastic finish! Wow!
Justin! That's a fine looking build. Very eye appealing. And by the way...I wish my airbrushing was that "bad" too.
Haha, thank you Gary - that's very kind 🙂
Nice!
Cheers Robert!
You did a beautiful job on that scheme! That is one pretty Tony.
Really pleased that you like it Greg - I find the Tony to be an ugly shape, but it's certainly an eye catcher with the multitone schemes!
Lovely work Justin!
Thank you David!
Fantastic build and paint job, well done on ths Hien!
Thank you Michel!
Perfect job. Bravo!
Perfect is much too kind, but thank you very much Stephane!
Well done Justin, she truly is an eye catcher.
Cheers Tom! I think the camo scheme colours did most of the work for me in that sense! 😉
You've really brought out the best of this kit, Justin, that camouflage scheme is beautifully executed. Definitely liked.
Thank you very much George! Delighted that you like the finish!
Nice model, excellent camo , i like it very much
Really good of you to say, thanks Nikos!
G'day Justin (@britflyer),
I've been catching up on my reading and come across your build.
That is a very good rendition of a classic scheme.
Your mottling skills are superb.
Liked!
Thank you very much Michael! 🙂