Kawasaki Ki-100 Razorback
Resin Conversion and Decals

for Hasegawa's 1/32 Ki-61-I

Alley Cat, 1/32 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

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The Ki-100 was the result of a shortage of license-built Daimler Benz DB601 V12 powerplants for the Kawasaki Ki 61 Hein. The 1,120 kW Mitsubishi Ha 112-II radial engine delivered a very different profile to the previously streamlined Hein, but the mating was more than successful from a performance viewpoint.

The first Ki-100 entered service in March 1945. The hybrid aircraft performed well in home defence duties against the B-29 Superfortress over Japan in the final months of the Second World War.

Hasegawa's 1/32 scale Ki-61 is a lovely kit - well-detailed, restrained surface deatures and great fit - but there has been no sign of an injection-moulded Ki-100. Alley Cat Models from the UK has now filled this important gap with a resin conversion set.

Alley Cat's 1/32 scale Ki-100 Razorback conversion comprises 21 parts in grey resin and a further nine parts in clear resin. A length of plastic rod and a decal sheet with three colourful marking options are also supplied.

The focus of the conversion is the complete replacement fuselage. This is supplied in two halves, plus a one-piece cowl ring. As may be seen in the photos, the fuselage halves are just about ready to use straight from the box. They feature large locating pins which make alignment of the large parts a breeze. Test fitting of my sample suggests that there should be no major gaps or steps.

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A single-piece Mitsubishi Kinsei engine is also included. Only the first row of cylinders is moulded, but you probably won't notice this behind the close-cowled opening. You may, however, wish to add pushrod tubes and an ignition harness to the front of the single row of the delicately detailed cylinders. Alley Cat does provide 0.5mm plastic rod for the push rods.

A large insert is supplied for the bottom of the fuselage, which will replace the Ki-61's wing spar and adapt the kit wings to the new fuselage.

Additional resin parts include the propeller and spinner assembly, the ejector exhausts, the radiator and the structural detail at the rear of the cockpit.

Clear resin parts are provided for the windscreen and navigation lights. Clear resin casting has come a long way in the last five years or so. These parts are clear and free of distortion, and will look even better after a batch in Future Floor Polish.

Three attractive marking options are provided:

• Ki-100-I-Ko, 59th Sentai, 3rd Chutai in Khaki Black upper surfaces. A red and white diagonal flash adorns the fin.

• Ki-100-I-Ko, 18th Sentai, 3rd Chutai in Dark Green upper surfaces. This one has converging red and yellow stripes on the fin, with a red and yellow fuselage band.

• Ki-100-I-Ko, 244th Sentai, 3rd Chutai in Dark Green upper surfaces. A yellow fuselage bad plus yellow and white markings on the fin.

The decal sheet is printed in perfect register by Fantasy Printshop.

Considering the major nature and large size of this conversion, it should actually be a pretty straightforward project. If you have tackled a few 1/32 scale kits with resin accessories before, you should be capable of doing a good job here.

Alley Cat's 1/32 scale Ki-100 conversion is an impressive and beautifully presented package that will result in a drastically different look for your Hasegawa Hein.

Thanks to A2Zee Models for the review sample

Alley Cat and FAA Models' accessories are available from A2Zee Models  website

Review Text, Images Copyright © 2010 by Brett Green
Page Created 6 April, 2010
Last updated 6 April, 2010

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