From the Box Review Hasegawa Kawasaki Type 3 Hien (Tony) "244th Fighter"
Kit No. 14
Kawasaki’s Ki-61 Type 3 "Hien" (Swallow) became the premiere in-line engine fighter for the Japanese Army Air Force in World War II. Code named Tony by the Allies, this aircraft replaced the Oscar as the principle IJA interceptor when it was introduced in combat in the Southwest Pacific in 1943. A total of 3,078 of the liquid-cooled Ki-61s was manufactured before production switched to the air-cooled Type 5 version of this fighter in 1945.
Note to Modelers making Ki-61 Type 3 Tonys: A problem with building the in-line engine Tonys derives from the fact that several variants of this aircraft were produced, some with minor and others with major detail variations, and the nomenclature used to distinguish them can be quite confusing. Even my references contain drawings which are inconsistent on this matter. If you want to build an aircraft other than the options found in your kit, check your references. Type 3 Tonys could differ in the lengths of the fuselage forward of the wing, size of air scoops, shape and framework of the canopy, shape of the tail, fixed or retractable tail wheel, armament carried, optional wing pylons, and other more subtle differences. These differences were scattered among three major model types produced. Nearly half were short-nosed Ki-61-1b models while another 1200+ were of the slightly longer-nosed Type 61-1-KAI (represented in this kit). Furthermore, Kawasaki built over 400 Ki-61-II Tonys that were longer yet with a larger vertical tail, not to mention several other differences.
This beautiful kit by Hasegawa represents a Ki-61-1 Model Tei variant of the Type 61-1-KAI, with a fixed tail wheel and a longer nose than that of the original Ki-61-1. Except for different decals, this kit is exactly the same as Kit. No. 105, which features the same type of aircraft in a different paint scheme and squadron markings.
An opened box will reveal 61 injection-molded medium gray parts on five trees. All are of smooth finish, flash free, and extremely well detailed. Panel lines are finely recessed and accurate. This kit is simply state of the art, with no obvious flaws and dares to be built straight out of the box with little improvement needed. With the exception of the fuselage halves, exhaust stacks, canopy, and radiator parts for this liquid-cooled fighter, practically all other parts are identical to those contained in Hasegawa’s two companion kits of the air-cooled version known as the Ki-100. But unlike the latter kits, no spare parts come with the Ki-61 Type 3 models. A separate tree contains three clear parts, including a delicately thin and exceptionally clear single piece canopy.
Kit instructions are printed in both Japanese and English on both sides of a single sheet divided into four panels. They contain three photos of a finished model, a brief history of the Ki-61-1, a parts tree map, easy to follow exploded-view drawings, color guides for using Gunze Sangyo or Mr. Color paints, and four-view black and white profiles of three aircraft featured in the kit decals. All three aircraft were flown by Major Teruhiko Kobayashi, squadron leader of the crack 244th fighter squadron serving on home defense in Japan during 1944-1945. The plane featured on the box top was the famous IJA green mottle over duralumin with red tail and colorful flashes often seen in illustrations of the Type 3 Tony and flown by Kobayashi in April, 1945. A second option sports an overall natural metal finish (unpainted duralumin) with red tail and flashes flown in February of that year. Then the third selection is a solid IJA green over duralumin with white markings, also flown in February. The decals are in register, but quite thin. Hinomarus include options with white edges and are deep red in color. Also several stencil markings common to Tony appear on the sheet, plus a decal for the instrument panel.
Construction moves straight forward in 13 steps. All parts fit together well and the trailing edges of wing and tail surfaces are thin and sharp. Starting with the cockpit, you’ll discover it is relatively complete, yet quite simple to put together. All the basic features are represented, either in separate parts or accurately molded onto the two side panels and floor board. It’s a generic cockpit for all the Hasegawa Ki-61 and Ki-100 kits, the only differences being the shape of the canopy and decking behind the seat and a bulkhead. The one noticeable omission pertains to the machine gun or cannon butts that protruded next to the instrument panel. Also, no pilot figure comes with these kits. However, they will look fine and virtually complete built straight from the box. Still, room exists for the detail freaks to add a few odds and ends, like seat pack and belts, wiring, and assorted boxes and gadgets represented in photos or drawings of Tony cockpits. Hasegawa offers no decals for the seat belts, but a nice decal for the instrument panel is included. However, the panel is nicely engraved with raised detail, so it can be painted and highlighted if preferred. (Save the decal for that old Otaki kit you might have lying around.) An accurate gun sight comes on the clear plastic tree, but its glass panels are still a little too thick for this scale. Fastidious types may wish to replace them with cut pieces of thinner acetate.
The wings and tail have been beautifully crafted with accurate panel lines and details. As usual, all flying surfaces have been molded integrally with their respective wings or tail sections, and the flaps are closed. The two upper halves of the wing fit perfectly with the single-piece bottom half leaving beautifully crisp and thin trailing edges. Hasegawa has also crafted nice actuator rods for the tail and rudder. Looking under the wing you’ll find well detailed recessed wheel wells. Although a tad too shallow, they still look fine and are matched by gear doors with accurate interior panels. Two nicely detailed drop tanks are included to go with the equally nice pylons found in this kit. The tires, however, are not bulged, and the detailer may wish to add brake lines to the main gear legs. A separate clear plastic lens cover is included for the landing light on the port wing leading edge. If you build this kit wheels down, you may wish to add wire or stretched sprue gear-down indicator rods to the top of the wings.
The single-piece canopy is beautifully done, clean and clear with no distortions. Modelers who wish for an opened canopy can find vacuformed canopies for this kit from companies like Squadron Signal. Nevertheless, that beautiful interior can still be seen quite well through a closed canopy. Still, it just begs to be opened to show off what’s inside.
As noted above, this kit represents a Ki-61-1 Model Tei, so its nose is about 8 scale inches longer than the older Model 1 and Model 1 Otsu variants. The Tei versions were not as numerous as the two other versions, however. Therefore, if you wish to build a different Type 3 Tony than those featured in this kit, check your references for model type and length of nose. In this case, two sets of exhaust stacks are provided, and these can be augmented if their openings are drilled out a little more with a cutting bit. No engine is included, but none is necessary for the kit when built as is. Three separate propeller blades attach to the spinner plate. These could be thinned a little for better scale accuracy.
When completed, even as built straight out of the box, this model is a real beaut. It measures right on in scale, and demands very little in extra detail to enhance the excellent workmanship already put into the kit by Hasegawa. The kit goes together well for even the novice modeler and so can be recommended to anyone with rudimentary skills and an interest in building this superb Japanese fighter aircraft. However, it does have some tiny parts that will need to be handled with extra caution. Hasegawa has done an excellent job in representing this version of the Type 3 Tony. Their Ki-100 Type 5 air-cooled cousin of this in-line kit is virtually identical, save but for the type of engine and fuselage shape needed. So it would make a wonderful addition to set beside your Type 3. For quality of workmanship and ease of construction, these are probably the best kits presently on the market for representing the dangerous and deadly IJA Tony fighters so widely encountered by Allied pilots during the second half of World War II, and especially in combat over mainland Japan during the final phase of that conflict.
Sources:
Rene J. Francillon, JAPANESE AIRCRAFT OF THE PACIFIC WAR, Putnam & Co., 1979 ed.
Richard M. Bueschel, KAWASAKI Ki.61/Ki.100 HIEN IN JAPANESE ARMY AIR FORCE SERVICE, ARCO-AIRCAM AVIATION SERIES, NO. 27, Arco Publishing Co., 1971.
Edited, KAWASAKI Ki-61 (TONY), Paul Gaudette, Publisher, c. 1967.
Edited, KAWASAKI TYPE 3 TIGHTER HIEN, FAMOUS AIRPLANES OF THE WORLD, No. 98, June, 1978, Bunrin-Do.
Edited, KAWASAKI TYPE 3 "HIEN" & TYPE 5 ARMY FIGHTER (Ki-61 & Ki-100), The Maru Mechanic # 37, November, 1982.
From the Box Review Hasegawa Kawasaki Type 3 Hien (Tony) "Mainland Defense"
Kit No. 105
Kawasaki’s Ki-61 Type 3 "Hien" (Swallow) became the premiere in-line engine fighter for the Japanese Army Air Force in World War II. Code named Tony by the Allies, this aircraft replaced the Oscar as the principle IJA interceptor when it was introduced in combat in the Southwest Pacific in 1943. A total of 3,078 of the liquid-cooled Ki-61s was manufactured before production switched to the air-cooled Type 5 version of this fighter in 1945.
Note to Modelers making Ki-61 Type 3 Tonys: A problem with building the in-line engine Tonys derives from the fact that several variants of this aircraft were produced, some with minor and others with major detail variations, and the nomenclature used to distinguish them can be quite confusing. Even my references contain drawings which are inconsistent on this matter. If you want to build an aircraft other than the options found in your kit, check your references. Type 3 Tonys could differ in the lengths of the fuselage forward of the wing, size of air scoops, shape and framework of the canopy, shape of the tail, fixed or retractable tail wheel, armament carried, optional wing pylons, and other more subtle differences. These differences were scattered among three major model types produced. Nearly half were short-nosed Ki-61-1b models while another 1200+ were of the slightly longer-nosed Type 61-1-KAI (represented in this kit). Furthermore, Kawasaki built over 400 Ki-61-II Tonys that were longer yet with a larger vertical tail, not to mention several other differences.
This beautiful kit by Hasegawa represents a Ki-61-1 Model Tei variant of the Type 61-1-KAI, with a fixed tail wheel and a longer nose than that of the original Ki-61-1. Except for different decals, this kit is exactly the same as Kit. No. JT14, which features the same type of aircraft in a different paint scheme and squadron markings.
An opened box will reveal 61 injection-molded medium gray parts on five trees. All are of smooth finish, flash free, and extremely well detailed. Panel lines are finely recessed and accurate. This kit is simply state of the art, with no obvious flaws and dares to be built straight out of the box with little improvement needed. With the exception of the fuselage halves, exhaust stacks, canopy, and radiator parts for this liquid-cooled fighter, practically all other parts are identical to those contained in Hasegawa’s two companion kits of the air-cooled version known as the Ki-100. But unlike the latter kits, no spare parts come with the Ki-61 Type 3 models. A separate tree contains three clear parts, including a delicately thin and exceptionally clear single piece canopy.
Kit instructions are those originally placed in Kit No. JT14, and representing three aircraft from the 244th Fighter Regiment. They are printed in both Japanese and English on both sides of a single sheet divided into four panels. They contain three photos of a finished model, a brief history of the Ki-61-1, a parts tree map, easy to follow exploded-view drawings, color guides for using Gunze Sangyo or Mr. Color paints, and four-view black and white profiles of three aircraft featured in the original kit decals. However Kit No. 105 represents the same type of aircraft but with different markings. Accordingly, a separate illustration sheet is provided, printed on both sides, and depicting the three aircraft represented by the different set of decals placed in this kit. These include the plane featured on the box top, which was an overall natural metal finish (unpainted duralumin) Model 1 Tei with red tail and lightning flash as flown by Lt. Toru Shinomiya in a special crash diving unit of the 244th Fighter Group in Japan in 1945. Two other options represent an IJA green mottle over duralumin fighter flown in the 2nd Squadron of the same 244th Fighter Group, and a solid IJA green over duralumin aircraft from the 23rd Direct Command Squadron in April, 1945.
The decals are in register, but quite thin. Hinomarus include options with white edges and white "bandages" for the home defense markings. The "meatballs" are deep red in color, but the white portions appear to be somewhat translucent and may permit darker colors to show through. Also several stencil markings common to Tony appear on the sheet, plus a decal for the instrument panel. Sorry, the original decals for Kit no. JT14 are not included.
Construction moves straight forward in 13 steps. All parts fit together well and the trailing edges of wing and tail surfaces are thin and sharp. Starting with the cockpit, you’ll discover it is relatively complete, yet quite simple to put together. All the basic features are represented, either in separate parts or accurately molded onto the two side panels and floor board. It’s a generic cockpit for all the Hasegawa Ki-61 and Ki-100 kits, the only differences being the shape of the canopy and decking behind the seat and a bulkhead. The one noticeable omission pertains to the machine gun or cannon butts that protruded next to the instrument panel. Also, no pilot figure comes with these kits. However, they will look fine and virtually complete built straight from the box. Still, room exists for the detail freaks to add a few odds and ends, like seat pack and belts, wiring, and assorted boxes and gadgets represented in photos or drawings of Tony cockpits. Hasegawa offers no decals for the seat belts, but a nice decal for the instrument panel is included. However, the panel is nicely engraved with raised detail, so it can be painted and highlighted if preferred. (Save the decal for that old Otaki kit you might have lying around.) An accurate gun sight comes on the clear plastic tree, but its glass panels are still a little too thick for this scale. Fastidious types may wish to replace them with cut pieces of thinner acetate.
The wings and tail have been beautifully crafted with accurate panel lines and details. As usual, all flying surfaces have been molded integrally with their respective wings or tail sections, and the flaps are closed. The two upper halves of the wing fit perfectly with the single-piece bottom half leaving beautifully crisp and thin trailing edges. Hasegawa has also crafted nice actuator rods for the tail and rudder. Looking under the wing you’ll find well detailed recessed wheel wells. Although a tad too shallow, they still look fine and are matched by gear doors with accurate interior panels. Two nicely detailed drop tanks are included to go with the equally nice pylons found in this kit. The tires, however, are not bulged, and the detailer may wish to add brake lines to the main gear legs. A separate clear plastic lens cover is included for the landing light on the port wing leading edge. If you build this kit wheels down, you may wish to add wire or stretched sprue gear-down indicator rods to the top of the wings.
The single-piece canopy is beautifully done, clean and clear with no distortions. Modelers who wish for an opened canopy can find vacuformed canopies for this kit from companies like Squadron Signal. Nevertheless, that beautiful interior can still be seen quite well through a closed canopy. Still, it just begs to be opened to show off what’s inside. As noted above, this kit represents a Ki-61-1 Model Tei, so its nose is about 8 scale inches longer than the older Model 1 and Model 1 Otsu variants. The Tei versions were not as numerous as the two other versions, however. Therefore, if you wish to build a different Type 3 Tony than those featured in this kit, check your references for model type and length of nose. In this case, two sets of exhaust stacks are provided, and these can be augmented if their openings are drilled out a little more with a cutting bit. No engine is included, but none is necessary for the kit when built as is. Three separate propeller blades attach to the spinner plate. These could be thinned a little for better scale accuracy.
When completed, even as built straight out of the box, this model is a real beaut. It measures right on in scale, and demands very little in extra detail to enhance the excellent workmanship already put into the kit by Hasegawa. The kit goes together well for even the novice modeler and so can be recommended to anyone with rudimentary skills and an interest in building this superb Japanese fighter aircraft. However, it does have some tiny parts that will need to be handled with extra caution. Hasegawa has done an excellent job in representing this version of the Type 3 Tony. Their Ki-100 Type 5 air-cooled cousin of this in-line kit is virtually identical, save but for the type of engine and fuselage shape needed. So it would make a wonderful addition to set beside your Type 3. For quality of workmanship and ease of construction, these are probably the best kits presently on the market for representing the dangerous and deadly IJA Tony fighters so widely encountered by Allied pilots during the second half of World War II, and especially in combat over mainland Japan during the final phases of that conflict.
Sources:
Rene J. Francillon, JAPANESE AIRCRAFT OF THE PACIFIC WAR, Putnam & Co., 1979 ed.
Richard M. Bueschel, KAWASAKI Ki.61/Ki.100 HIEN IN JAPANESE ARMY AIR FORCE SERVICE, ARCO-AIRCAM AVIATION SERIES, NO. 27, Arco Publishing Co., 1971.
Edited, KAWASAKI Ki-61 (TONY), Paul Gaudette, Publisher, c. 1967.
Edited, KAWASAKI TYPE 3 TIGHTER HIEN, FAMOUS AIRPLANES OF THE WORLD, No. 98, June, 1978, Bunrin-Do.
Edited, KAWASAKI TYPE 3 "HIEN" & TYPE 5 ARMY FIGHTER (Ki-61 & Ki-100), The Maru Mechanic # 37, November, 1982.
Additional notes forwarded to my from Mike:
It turns out that I had major problems with the wing fits in both the Hasegawa Ki-61 and Ki-100 kits. The fit was so tight that it did not permit sufficient dihedral, for one thing; and for another, the dihedral for the left wing was higher than that for the right. Also, the join line at the wing fillet is weak, and in more than one case, the wing butted against the fuselage a little too low, leaving a raised ridge along the fillet. I had to do a lot of sanding, filing, and filling to get dihedrals and smooth wing joints, and even now I'm not too happy with the dihedrals. The wings appear too straight to me; the Otaki kits are much better in this regard. Unfortunately, all the work I did mating the top wing to the fuselage resulted in the excellent wing walk and fuel tank details being sanded off. I plan to reproduce them with decals or tape cut to the correct shapes, however, and hopefully this will restore the lost detail work. Still, the whole region is quite weak; I broke the contact a couple of times just handling the kits in preparationfor painting and had to use extensive applications of liquid cement and superglue and sanding to get a stronger bond. I also noticed some small gaps where the bottom wing mates to the nose. These had to be filled and carefully sanded.
Review of the Hasegawa Ki-61 `Tony'
Review and Photo by: Scott Van Aken
Scale: 1/48 Kit Number: JT 12 Manufacturer: Hasegawa Price: $25.25 Media: Injected Plastic Decals : Three versions, all JAAF
Comments: Well folks, another Hasegawa 1/48 kit. One expects it to be superb and this reviewer must admit that it is. I had almost no trouble with the kit and used very little filler. One must remember that I always have some trouble and use some filler somewhere, no matter how perfect the kit. Anyway, the only spot I had trouble with was with the wing/fuselage joint where I needed a bit of filler.
The interior is very good and I used (you guessed it) Reheat instrument decals to add that little bit of extra. This brings up my one disappointment with the kit. There is no opening canopy with the kit to display the work you put into the interior. Sure, you can get a vacuformed version, but I think that for the price, one should be included. The interior color is listed as a medium brown so I used yellow zinc chromate mixed with some USAF Vietnam tan and got an interesting color to use for this undercoat.
The rest of the kit just falls together beautifully. A positionable radiator exhaust door is a nice touch and lets one see the nicely molded radiator that is prominent under the belly of the Tony. The only bit I added are True Details wheels although they are not really necessary.
Now on to the best part of the kit, the painting. I basically build models to be a canvas for a camoflage scheme and Japanese Army planes are superb for that. As with most Tonys, this one is in bare metal with fabric control surfaces. I first painted the aircraft in overall gloss white as an undercoat for the Metallizer finishes. Then the yellow of the wing leading edges was painted. There is still some debate as to whether these should be a bright yellow or a yellow orange. I have painted both colors and some inbetween. Frankly, I imagine they were handpainted with whatever was available. One thing I gather from reading about Japanese camoflage during WWII, it that the colors were not as strictly controlled as in other countries so close is good enough.
After the yellow was painted on the wings and masked, the fabric control surfaces were painted a light grey and masked off. Then several shades of Metalizer were applied to various parts of the aircraft. The scheme I had chosen had a 'mirror-wave' (whatever that means) camoflage applied to the top of the aircraft. I like these snaky camo schemes, but this one required me to apply the paint after the decals had been applied. I used kit decals and followed the scheme that was given therein. I then thinned down a Japanese Army green (Tamiya acrylic so I could clean up the mistakes with water) and carefully applied the camoflage. Much to my surprise, I made no goofs and managed to do a credible job of the scheme. The last thing I did was paint the anti-glare panel a blue-black and then dig out the pastels for engine/gun exhaust and general filth.
The completed kit looks just great! Beause of the superior detail, it is a major improvement over the Otaki Ki-61 I did that now sits in the San Diego Aerospace Museum. This jewel is highly recommended to those who have graduated from snap-tights.
To see reviews of other kits, I invite you to visit my web site. and click on the 'Modelling Pages' section on the Contents page.
Photo of the Hasegawa Ki-61 `Tony'
Photo by Jason Aufderheide
