In Box Review of Revell 1/32nd Scale Japanese Kawasaki Ki-61 "Hien"
Allied Code Name "Tony"
By Ray Mehlberger
My kit is out of production. It has a copyright date of 1972. However, it is shown on eBay at a few places for sale.
My kit is out of production. It has a copyright date of 1972. However, it is shown on eBay at a few places for sale.
HISTORY:
The Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien "Flying Swallow" is a Japanesee WWII fighter aircraft used by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service. The Japanese Army designation was "Army Type 3 Fighter".
Allied pilots initially believed Ki-61's were Messerschmitt Bf-109's and later an Italian aircraft, which led to the Allied reporting name of "Tony" assigned by the U.S. War Department.
It was only mass-produced Japanese fighter of the war to use a liquid-cooled in-line engine. Over 3,000 Ki-16's were produced. Initial prototypes saw action over Yokohama during the Dolittle Raid on 18 April 1942, and continued to fly combat missions throughout the war.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Role: Fighter aircraft
Manufacturer: Kawasaki Kokuki
Designer: Takeo Doi
First flight: December 1941
Introduction to service: 1942
Retired: 1945
Primary users: Imperial Japanese Army Air Service, Chinese Nationalist Air Force, People's Liberation Army Air Force
Number built: 3,078
Developed into: Kawasaki Ki-100
The Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien "Flying Swallow" is a Japanesee WWII fighter aircraft used by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service. The Japanese Army designation was "Army Type 3 Fighter".
Allied pilots initially believed Ki-61's were Messerschmitt Bf-109's and later an Italian aircraft, which led to the Allied reporting name of "Tony" assigned by the U.S. War Department.
It was only mass-produced Japanese fighter of the war to use a liquid-cooled in-line engine. Over 3,000 Ki-16's were produced. Initial prototypes saw action over Yokohama during the Dolittle Raid on 18 April 1942, and continued to fly combat missions throughout the war.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Role: Fighter aircraft
Manufacturer: Kawasaki Kokuki
Designer: Takeo Doi
First flight: December 1941
Introduction to service: 1942
Retired: 1945
Primary users: Imperial Japanese Army Air Service, Chinese Nationalist Air Force, People's Liberation Army Air Force
Number built: 3,078
Developed into: Kawasaki Ki-100
THE KIT:
Revell is an old prolific model company based in Venice, CA. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales. In later years they have become associated with Monogram.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a Tony taking off from a concrete runway. It's top is silver with a dark-green (FS 34092)patches. It has a dark-blue (FS 35044) anti-glare panel and a silver undercarraige, a white fuselage band, dark-brown (FS 30109) spinner, yellow (FS 33538) inboard wing leading edges and a red rudder logo.
One side panel begins with a one-paragraph history of the Tony, followed by 4 color walk-around type photos showing the model made up: the removable side panels to display the HA-40 engine with machine guns, movable propeller & wheels and radiator , wing lights, long-range fuel tanks, detailed cockpit, clear canopy, engraved fabric control surfaces, simulated flush rivets, pilot in authentic flight gear, official Japanese Army markings.
THE KIT:
Revell is an old prolific model company based in Venice, CA. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales. In later years they have become associated with Monogram.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a Tony taking off from a concrete runway. It's top is silver with a dark-green (FS 34092)patches. It has a dark-blue (FS 35044) anti-glare panel and a silver undercarraige, a white fuselage band, dark-brown (FS 30109) spinner, yellow (FS 33538) inboard wing leading edges and a red rudder logo.
One side panel begins with a one-paragraph history of the Tony, followed by 4 color walk-around type photos showing the model made up: the removable side panels to display the HA-40 engine with machine guns, movable propeller & wheels and radiator , wing lights, long-range fuel tanks, detailed cockpit, clear canopy, engraved fabric control surfaces, simulated flush rivets, pilot in authentic flight gear, official Japanese Army markings.
Then a suggestion to use Revell or Pactra brand cement. The copyright date of 1972 and Revell's address in Venice, CA, MADE AND PRINTED IN USA.
Other side panel has a subscription blank to use to join Revell's Master Modelers Club and a list of suggested paint colors to use.
Other side panel has a subscription blank to use to join Revell's Master Modelers Club and a list of suggested paint colors to use.
The end of the box gives the skill level as "Some modeling skills helpful".
Parts fit the box tight in all 4 directions.
Parts fit the box tight in all 4 directions.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX:
This kit contains 6 pale-gray trees, a clear tree, decal sheet, instructions Science Program membership form, that gets you a Apollo moon-landing craft model for 10 cents and a entry black for Revell's 1978 sweepstakes drawing.
This kit contains 6 pale-gray trees, a clear tree, decal sheet, instructions Science Program membership form, that gets you a Apollo moon-landing craft model for 10 cents and a entry black for Revell's 1978 sweepstakes drawing.
The instructions consist of a single sheet that accodion-folds out into 6 pages in 8 1/2" x 11" page format.
Page 1 begins with a black and white photo of the kit made up in the box art scheme over it's history and specifications.
Page 2 begins with illustrations of hobby tools suggested to use, over the first 2 assembly steps.
Page 3 to the top of page 6 give a balance of a grand total of 8 assembly steps, over a 2-view of the lone scheme provided in the kit (the box art one, already described). Instructions is folded again to fit the box.
Trees are not alphabetized, cello bagged or illustrated in the instructions. They do, however, have part number tabs next to the parts on them.
Large first light grey tree is the lower wings (1 part)
Page 1 begins with a black and white photo of the kit made up in the box art scheme over it's history and specifications.
Page 2 begins with illustrations of hobby tools suggested to use, over the first 2 assembly steps.
Page 3 to the top of page 6 give a balance of a grand total of 8 assembly steps, over a 2-view of the lone scheme provided in the kit (the box art one, already described). Instructions is folded again to fit the box.
Trees are not alphabetized, cello bagged or illustrated in the instructions. They do, however, have part number tabs next to the parts on them.
Large first light grey tree is the lower wings (1 part)
Large second light grey tree holds: one fuselage half, drop tank, machine guns, air scoop, wheel pants, tail wheel, elevators etc. (28 parts)
Large third light grey tree holds: the other fuselage half, other drop tank, exhaust pipes, individual propeller blades, landing-gear legs, air intake and it's grill (23 parts)
Large fourth light grey tree holds the upper wing halves (2 parts)
Small fifth light grey tree holds: the pilot figure (divided into separate front and back body parts) (3 parts)
Small sixth light grey tree holds: the main wheels, propeller hub and spinner (6 parts)
I assembled the engine (5 parts) and cockpit (7 parts). All but the seat and pilot.
The clear tree holds the cockpit canopy and wing light lenses (8 parts) I wrapped these in toilet paper to protect them from scratching.
The decal sheet completes the kit's contents.
Nice detail. Flaps are all molded solid.
Recommended.