The design of the Ki-44 was undertaken shortly after the Ki-43 with the emphasis being on speed and rate of climb. This was to prove a deadly combination on February 19th 1945, when a force of this type intercepted an armada of 120 B-29 Superfortreses over Yamaguchi Japan downing 10 (with two by ramming) of the attacking B-29’s.     

The Nakajima Ki-44 has been well served by kit manufacturers over the years with most of the popular scales having an example in their ranks, the news that Hasagawa will release a 32nd scale version in the near future only serves to illustrate the type’s popularity with the modelling public. Two 48th kits of this type that are available are the old Otaki kit (with all its recessed rivets, which on reflection may be more accurate on this type) and the newer 48th example from Hasagawa.

The decal sheet presented for review is an obvious tie in with the Revi Profile on the Ki-44.  The decals themselves are very thin and show good definition and register.

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Thumbnail panels:

The decals are packed in the now industry standard of decal sheet and fold out decal placement guide. The profiles are noteworthy, as the art work is of a very high standard and are motivational in their presentation. The five aircraft covered include:

• 70th Sentai operating out of Matsudo Japan in February 1945. This example is an overall natural metal aircraft with white bands on the wings and fuselage with blue landing wheel covers.

• 85th Sentai (3rd Chutal) operating out of Canton China in January 1944. This example is camouflaged in Green on the topsides with grey on the undersides. The canopy frame is in natural metal and sports a yellow cowl ring and a white spinner and rudder

• 246th Sentai operating out of Taisho Japan in 1945. This example is in overall natural metal with white bands on the wing and fuselage with a yellow spinner and cowl vents

• 29th Sentai (2nd Chutal) operating out of Anchang China in August 1944.
  This example is camouflaged in green on the topsides with grey on the undersides and has a very menacing “skull” on the tail

• 29th Sentai operating out of Clark Field, Philippines in early 1944.
  This example is camouflaged in green on the topsides with grey on the undersides and has a blue arrow tail motif.

This decal sheet has a good selection of markings, The added bonus is that on the sheet itself ,there is a Japanese style “Ki-44 Shoki” logo that would look great as a display base logo.

Thanks to Revi Decals for the review sample

Text and Images Copyright © 2008 by Luke Pitt
Page Created 31 May, 2009
Last updated 31 May, 2009

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