Spiros, @fiveten
Here we go ! I just pulled these two down from the stash...

I'm going to finish up the 1/32 scale Ki-44, and then I'll start on these... I'm going to be building two more Hasegawa 1/32 scale kits as part of the EoJ group. One will be a Ki-61 "Tony", so I will be painting the interiors of all three planes using the same color. From what I have been reading online, these Kawasaki planes used a brownish green colored interior paint for both the Ki-45, and the Ki-61.

Here is a picture showing the inside of an engine cover that was removed from a Ki-61. This relic was stored in an attic in Japan sometime during, (or shortly after) the War. It was recently discovered, and has since been put on display in a museum where it belongs.

The WW2 German color of RAL 7028 is close to the interior paint color that was used by Kawasaki. Here you can see a restored Zundapp WW2 German motorcycle that is painted in RAL 7028.

This gives you a better idea of the color. It's not RLM 79 "Sandy Brown" as most claim. It's darker, and more olive. Hope this information helps someone in the future.

I still will be building the Revell "Uhu" in between, while I'm waiting for parts to dry on these. Later on, (after these projects are done), we can start our mutual 1/48 Monogram B-1 builds. We will definitely need some building space for these giant B-1 models, as they are huge and take up some space !

This is going to be very cool, and I am very enthusiastic about starting these builds. Now that Jaime @jetmex

has finished his IAR-80, maybe we can talk him into building his Ki-45 with us now too...

Spiros, @fiveten
I like how your darkened bamboo color looks ! I have found several pictures online that show the Ki-45 interior as it is seen on the example stored in the Garber facility which is part of the Smithsonian Institute. I didn't know this, but they have an almost complete airframe stored away there. It was brought back to the US, shortly after the War ended and it was evaluated even more thoroughly than it had been done by the ATAIU. Once done with it's usefulness, it was disassembled and stored away. Now I have read there are no current plans to restore this ultra rare plane. I think it is the only surviving example left in the world like it.

Such a shame to leave it rot away into dust... and it's also not in view where many could enjoy it. There are many such treasures stored away there, most of which should be better taken care of and restored. I'm sure the bottom line is money, and the lack of it which is needed for such operations.

I'll post up these pictures in a few. I think that you are right on track with your build. It looks amazing ! As far as extending the EoJ group build, so that we can complete more models in our stash, that can be done. I happen to know the guy who is admin, and I'm sure he can be talked into doing it.

Those are both fine subjects you mentioned about building in the future. So take your time and don't rush as I will extend this wonderful group as needed. Personally I would like to see both kits built...Build them in the order you want to.

We can start our B-1's later, once these projects have been completed. 🙂

https://www.themodellingnews.com/2019/03/in-boxed-132nd-scale-kawasaki-ki-45-kai.html

Spiros, @fiveten
I am happy to hear that these pictures will be of use to you. I agree ... how COOL would that be to have a flying Ki-45 in the 21st Century ? I would pay to see it fly... Yes I have word the admin is going to be extending the EoJ group as he has several more projects planned.

These will include a Hasegawa 1/32 scale Ki-61 Hien, and a 1/32 scale Hasegawa Mitsubishi Raiden. Then there will possibly be a 1/32 scale "Prototype" Ki-84, but time will tell on that one as I want to get some building completed in our Korean War group. I have some nice projects lined up for that one too...

Meanwhile, tonight I assembled the propellers for the pair of Ki-45's. Here you can see the parts after the were removed from the plastic trees.

In this next picture I have the parts glued together. It's not very much to talk about, but in the upcoming nights I will start working on the cockpit and engine nacelles. You have to start somewhere...

I will try to paint them tomorrow after the spinners get a slight sanding to remove seam lines.

I have also chosen the paint schemes for these two. One will be in an overall Dark Green color, while the other will be machine number "65" and it is shown on the box art. This one will have the green camouflaged splotches on top of the overall light green / gray color.

As usual, comments are encouraged. Stay safe.

Thanks Spiros. @fiveten
I couldn't be more pleased with the outcome of this Empire of Japan group build. We have had a phenomenal amount of models that were built for this group. I never dreamt it would be this successful, but it has. It's all due to having people contribute to this like you have. I am sincerely grateful for all the efforts that have been put forth so far... and there's still more to come !

Tonight I have made some good progress. Here’s a few pictures. I spent some time studying the instructions. There are parts included that will allow you to build several different versions of the plane. The main difference lies in the exhaust system. You can also build it with or without the “Schrage Musik” oblique firing cannons that are mounted on the upper deck of the fuselage.

I started building up the cockpit for one of the kits. I think that the second one will go together faster. I have to do some painting before these smaller parts can be glued to the rest of the cockpit assembly.

Then I cut the fuselage halves away from the plastic sprues. Hopefully I’ll get more done tomorrow.

I have painted the propellers for both kits. They look very nice I think.

The good news is that I have also started building a larger 1/32 scale Hasegawa Ki-61tonight. I have made some amazing progress with that one, and now I have "perfected" the Kawasaki cockpit / internal color using the Hien as a "test mule" for the color I used. Check it out, as I have started a new build journal for that one too...

As always, comments are encouraged... 🙂

I made some more progress on the Ki-45 builds. I assembled the cowlings, both nacelles, and added the interior cockpit walls to the fuselage halves. I also assembled the rear gunner's seat and added it to the cockpit assembly. The remaining cockpit small parts were prepped, and they are now ready for painting.

Now I have to repeat this process for the other kit. The kit offers two different styles of exhaust. One type has individual exhaust stacks, and this one is referred to as the "thrust type" on the instructions. The other style is a single large exhaust pipe that exits from one opening. Each type has it's own different cowling. I'll be building the other Ki-45 kit using the "single" exhaust style.

As always, comments are encouraged.

I had started applying tac "lines on the top surfaces of my Toryu, to replicate the intricate camo, a part of which you can admire at the following shot that I have posted earlier:

The tac lines were too broad, so I removed the tac and restarted.
Here is my Toryu in mid-progress:

More tac-ing to come tomorrow!

Did you empty the tac-shop Spiros? impressive amount of spaghetti-tac my friend @fiveten!