1/48 KI-61-I D HIEN

This model is Tamiya’s newly-tooled model's addition to the 1/48 Aircraft Series The Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien was a WWII Japanese fighter powered by the Ha-40 engine - a license-produced version of a Daimler-Benz powerplant. It was the only Japances fighter in the Pacific fighting to have a liquid cooled engine. The Hien was apparently mistaken for a German aircraft and then for an Italian bird, and was given the reporting nickname Tony. It saw combat action from early 1943 and proved a competitive aircraft with its top speed of 580km/h. I was used in the desperate Japanese defense of the Solomon Islands and even as an interceptor when U.S. B-29s got in range to bomb the Japanese home islands toward the end of WWII. This is a 1/48 scale plastic model assembly kit and captures the formof the Hien's Id variant, which featured an elongated nose section to incorporate its two built-in Ho-5 20mm cannons. The constricted Hien cockpit is depicted with excellent detail, including Ho-5 cannons, ammunition cases, instrumentation, oil tank, canopy brace and more! It is attached after left and right fuselage halves are joined. The Ha-40 engine and supercharger are accurately depicted and removable cowl part allows inspection after completion. The fuselage underside radiator/oil cooler is depicted in detail, inclusive of air intake parts. Parts are included to construct the model with open or closed canopy as per the modeler's preference. Also included is the Optional Venturi tube, fuel cooler parts, parts to recreate 2 drop tanks and their mounts and 1 pilot figure. Two marking options available which recreate the aircraft flown by the 244th Fighter Group (Sentai) pilot Teruhiko Kobayashi. In addition, masking stickers are included in the kit aid with painting the canopy.