Kawasaki Ki-61-Ikai Hein ("Tony")

by Tadeu Pinto Mendes

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This the old Revell 1/32 scale model of the Kawasaki Ki-61 Hein, code named Tony by the Allies.

The Ki-61 was a famous fighter of IJAAF. It was powered by a Japanese licence-built version of the in-line DB601 motor as used used in the Messerschmitt Bf 109. the motor in line DB 601. However, the water-cooled motor presented problems, and it was eventually substituted by a radial engine, resulting in a new fighter that became the Ki-100 Goshiki ("Tony II").

Construction

Assembly did not present any major problems. The model was built straight from the box.

The dihedral of the wings was a little understated. I chamfered the wheels to give the impression of weight to the model.

Painting

Painting and markings were the only changes to the standard kit.

I chose to paint my Hein as the aircraft flown by the ace T. Kobayashi. This aircraft was finished in Natural Aluminum; with hard-edged blotches of Dark Olive Drab (FS 4082) over the top; propeller in Red Brown (FS 0166) with tips in yellow; engine cowling in Blue Black (FS 5044); Dark Yellow of the wings in FS 3432; and all interiors in Khaki-yellow (FS 33440). The spinner and vertical empennage were finished in Dark Blue. The strip in wings and fuselage is White (FS 27925).

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