In Box Review of Tamiya 1/50th Scale
Japanese Nakajima Type-2 Shoki "Tojo" Fighter
Kit no. MA105-200
By Ray Mehlberger
OUT OF PRODUCTION
By Ray Mehlberger
OUT OF PRODUCTION
HISTORY
In the beginning of 1938, the Japanese Army ordered the Nakajima Aircraft Mfg. Company trial-manufacture of the Ki-44 (later developed into the Type-2, single-seat fighter "Shoki". Almost simultaneously with that of the Ki-43, later the Type-1 fighter "Hayabusa".
The Ki-44, in sharp contrast to the light fighter Ki-43 which laid stress on air-battle- capability was a typical, high-speed, heavy fighter well suited for a "hit-and-run" tactic, as it was primarily designed for high-speed and superior climbing power.
For its engine, the Ha-41 was selected because of high power and reliability in spite of the inconveniently large diameter. Due to this engine, a top-heavy contour of the plane became its special feature. At the same time, however, its fin too was extended backward to facilitate better stability in time of low speed and firing.
Overall shape of the "Shoki", therefore it was not at all awkward. Its wing had linear front edges suited for mass production just like those of the Type-97 fighter and the Hayabusa. However, the wing area was considerably reduced to a mere 15m appropriate for a high-speed plane.
Also, the butterfly-shaped-fowler-flap was a new attempt special for this plane to improve landing and take-off capabilities and air-battle performance. The Ki-43 was also equipped with this gadget as it had been suffering from low air-battle performance.
This addition contributed much to its improvement, resulting especially in its nimble maneuverability. In December 1941, just before the outbreak of the Pacific war, the 47th Independent Flying Squadron (the Kawasemi Squadron) consisting of nine test planes of the Ki-44 type advanced into the Burma-Malay theatre.
However, activity of these nine Ki-44's were severely handicapped by their short cruising distance. Even after the war broke out, their chances of air-battle were quite negligible, as they were always outdistanced by the "Hayabusa" fighters gifted with much larger flying range.
The real worth of this plane was proved much later when it made great gains against the invading U.S. B-29 bombers in air-defence over the mainland Japn, especially over Tokyo (in the east) and the Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe (in the west) areas, thanks to its superior climbing power.
The "Shoki" was the first heavy fighter ever produced for the Japanese Army and Navy. Although unpopular among veteran pilots, who got so used to the nimble Type-97 fighter, and inclined to keep away from the "Shoki" because of its high landing speed and bad circling performance, younger ones highly welcomed the plane, seeing advantage and usefulness of the fighter for hit-and-run air-battle tactics.
The Ki-44 test plane: This plane was equipped with the Ha-41 engine. The lubricating oil cooler was arranged in a ring in front of its engine. The central portion of wind-shield could slide backward. The undercarriage cover was fixed beside its support to be retracted when grounding. At first, four planes of this version were manufactured and six more had been added later.
With these additional ones, the whole of the windshield, excepting the front portion, was made to slide backward. Each plane was slightly different in details from others being improved here and there respectively.
The Type-2 fighter Model-1: Forty planes of this version were manufactured succeeding the additional planes. Their external appearance was identical with that of the later additional test planes. Thus, all of them were equipped with two 7.7mm machine guns in the fuselage and two 12.7mm machine guns in the wings.
The Type-2 fighter Model-2 Kou: Planes of this version were equipped with the Ha-109 engine, while its lubricating oil cooler was moved under the cowling. The undercarriage cover, too, was fixed under the fuselage and its shape was remodelled. As for armament, nothing was changed and its arrangement was identical to that of the Model-1 plane.
The Type-2 fighter Model-2 Otsu: Part of the armaments was reinforced as the number of 12.7mm machine guns was increased to four. Also, its sight was changed to a light-image type from the telescope one of the Model-2 Kou.
SPECIFICATIONS OF THE TYPE-2 FIGHTER MODEL-W OTSU
Overall width: 9.45m
Overall length: 8.84m
Engine: The Ha-109 air-cooled, double-row, 14 cylinder radial engine of 1,520 hp landing and take-off power.
Empty weight: 2,100 kg
Fully equipped weight: 2,764 kg
Max speed: 605 km/h (at an altitude of 5,200 m)
Armaments: four 12.7mm machine guns and two bombs of 30-100kg
Number of crew: 1
In the beginning of 1938, the Japanese Army ordered the Nakajima Aircraft Mfg. Company trial-manufacture of the Ki-44 (later developed into the Type-2, single-seat fighter "Shoki". Almost simultaneously with that of the Ki-43, later the Type-1 fighter "Hayabusa".
The Ki-44, in sharp contrast to the light fighter Ki-43 which laid stress on air-battle- capability was a typical, high-speed, heavy fighter well suited for a "hit-and-run" tactic, as it was primarily designed for high-speed and superior climbing power.
For its engine, the Ha-41 was selected because of high power and reliability in spite of the inconveniently large diameter. Due to this engine, a top-heavy contour of the plane became its special feature. At the same time, however, its fin too was extended backward to facilitate better stability in time of low speed and firing.
Overall shape of the "Shoki", therefore it was not at all awkward. Its wing had linear front edges suited for mass production just like those of the Type-97 fighter and the Hayabusa. However, the wing area was considerably reduced to a mere 15m appropriate for a high-speed plane.
Also, the butterfly-shaped-fowler-flap was a new attempt special for this plane to improve landing and take-off capabilities and air-battle performance. The Ki-43 was also equipped with this gadget as it had been suffering from low air-battle performance.
This addition contributed much to its improvement, resulting especially in its nimble maneuverability. In December 1941, just before the outbreak of the Pacific war, the 47th Independent Flying Squadron (the Kawasemi Squadron) consisting of nine test planes of the Ki-44 type advanced into the Burma-Malay theatre.
However, activity of these nine Ki-44's were severely handicapped by their short cruising distance. Even after the war broke out, their chances of air-battle were quite negligible, as they were always outdistanced by the "Hayabusa" fighters gifted with much larger flying range.
The real worth of this plane was proved much later when it made great gains against the invading U.S. B-29 bombers in air-defence over the mainland Japn, especially over Tokyo (in the east) and the Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe (in the west) areas, thanks to its superior climbing power.
The "Shoki" was the first heavy fighter ever produced for the Japanese Army and Navy. Although unpopular among veteran pilots, who got so used to the nimble Type-97 fighter, and inclined to keep away from the "Shoki" because of its high landing speed and bad circling performance, younger ones highly welcomed the plane, seeing advantage and usefulness of the fighter for hit-and-run air-battle tactics.
The Ki-44 test plane: This plane was equipped with the Ha-41 engine. The lubricating oil cooler was arranged in a ring in front of its engine. The central portion of wind-shield could slide backward. The undercarriage cover was fixed beside its support to be retracted when grounding. At first, four planes of this version were manufactured and six more had been added later.
With these additional ones, the whole of the windshield, excepting the front portion, was made to slide backward. Each plane was slightly different in details from others being improved here and there respectively.
The Type-2 fighter Model-1: Forty planes of this version were manufactured succeeding the additional planes. Their external appearance was identical with that of the later additional test planes. Thus, all of them were equipped with two 7.7mm machine guns in the fuselage and two 12.7mm machine guns in the wings.
The Type-2 fighter Model-2 Kou: Planes of this version were equipped with the Ha-109 engine, while its lubricating oil cooler was moved under the cowling. The undercarriage cover, too, was fixed under the fuselage and its shape was remodelled. As for armament, nothing was changed and its arrangement was identical to that of the Model-1 plane.
The Type-2 fighter Model-2 Otsu: Part of the armaments was reinforced as the number of 12.7mm machine guns was increased to four. Also, its sight was changed to a light-image type from the telescope one of the Model-2 Kou.
SPECIFICATIONS OF THE TYPE-2 FIGHTER MODEL-W OTSU
Overall width: 9.45m
Overall length: 8.84m
Engine: The Ha-109 air-cooled, double-row, 14 cylinder radial engine of 1,520 hp landing and take-off power.
Empty weight: 2,100 kg
Fully equipped weight: 2,764 kg
Max speed: 605 km/h (at an altitude of 5,200 m)
Armaments: four 12.7mm machine guns and two bombs of 30-100kg
Number of crew: 1
THE KIT:
Tamiya is an old prolific model company based in Shizuoka, Japan. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit came in a bousey shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box. The box is 2" too long.
The box art shows 2 "Tojos" flying above the clouds. Both are dark-green over silver undercarriages. They have yellow leading edges on the wings and black anti-glare panels in front of their windscreens.
The "Tojo" in the foreground has a red fuselage band outlined in white and a white rudder flap. It has a yellow sun-burst over a backwards S symbol on the rudder.
These markings are not on the decal sheet.
The "Tojo" behind it is shown head-on and no markings can be seen.
One side panel has a repeat of the specifications of the "Tojo" and an all black side profile of the plane.
Tamiya is an old prolific model company based in Shizuoka, Japan. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit came in a bousey shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box. The box is 2" too long.
The box art shows 2 "Tojos" flying above the clouds. Both are dark-green over silver undercarriages. They have yellow leading edges on the wings and black anti-glare panels in front of their windscreens.
The "Tojo" in the foreground has a red fuselage band outlined in white and a white rudder flap. It has a yellow sun-burst over a backwards S symbol on the rudder.
These markings are not on the decal sheet.
The "Tojo" behind it is shown head-on and no markings can be seen.
One side panel has a repeat of the specifications of the "Tojo" and an all black side profile of the plane.
The other side panel shows 4 color box arts of other aircraft kits that Tamiya manufactures: a Zero fighter "Zeke" in 1/50th scale, a Type-5 fighter "Tony" in 1/50th scale, a Nakajima Saiun "Myrt" in 1/50th scale and a Shoki fighter "Tojo" in 1/72nd scale.
No kit numbers are shown for these 4.
Kit was made in Japan.
No kit numbers are shown for these 4.
Kit was made in Japan.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX:
This kit contains 2 silver trees, loose silver wing tops, cowling and wings bottom, clear tree and a black motor mount in 2 stapled-shut clear cello bags with the decal sheet.
The instructions consist of a single-sheet, that is printed on both sides in 17" x 6" format.
The face side begins with the history and specifications of the "Tojo" and a black and white wartime photo of one sitting on a grass field. Below this is painting and decal application instructions. Showing 2 top views and a bottom view and 4 side views of "Tojos".
The 1st top view and side view is of a "Tojo", that has a dark-green mottle over grey-green on its sides and a lighter grey-green undercarriage. It has a grey-green spinner with a red band around it. It has a white fuselage band and a red circle with a black chevron on it on the rudder.
It belonged to the 246th Flying Corps, fighting at the Philippines front during the period from 1944 to 1945.
The 2nd top and side view is of a "Tojo" that is silver overall, with a black anti-glare panel in front of the windscreen and a dark red spinner. It has a wide white fuselage band with the national red circle on it. There is a red chevron on the rudder with a red 25 below it.
It belonged to the 47th Squadron of the Independent Flying Corps, active on the mainland of Japan during the months of 1942.
The 3rd top and side view is of a "Tojo" that is overall silver with a red spinner and red pin stripe down the length of the side of the fuselage and a red chevron on the rudder. It has a black anti-glare panel in front of the windscreen.
It belonged to the 70th Flying Corps, active both in the mainland of Japan and Manchuria during the period from 1942 to 1945.
The 4th top and side view is a "Tojo, that is in the same mottle pattern as the 1st "Tojo" described above. It has a black anti-glare panel in front of the windscreen and a blue fuselage band outlined in white. There is a blue arrow pointing forward on the rudder.
It was piloted by the squadron leader, Major Togo Saito of the 85th Flying Corps which had been active in fighting with U.S. fighters like the P-51 at Canton in 1944.
The bottom of the sheet has a listing of 1/100th, 1/50th and 1/72nd scale aircraft kits that Tamiya manufactures.
This kit contains 2 silver trees, loose silver wing tops, cowling and wings bottom, clear tree and a black motor mount in 2 stapled-shut clear cello bags with the decal sheet.
The instructions consist of a single-sheet, that is printed on both sides in 17" x 6" format.
The face side begins with the history and specifications of the "Tojo" and a black and white wartime photo of one sitting on a grass field. Below this is painting and decal application instructions. Showing 2 top views and a bottom view and 4 side views of "Tojos".
The 1st top view and side view is of a "Tojo", that has a dark-green mottle over grey-green on its sides and a lighter grey-green undercarriage. It has a grey-green spinner with a red band around it. It has a white fuselage band and a red circle with a black chevron on it on the rudder.
It belonged to the 246th Flying Corps, fighting at the Philippines front during the period from 1944 to 1945.
The 2nd top and side view is of a "Tojo" that is silver overall, with a black anti-glare panel in front of the windscreen and a dark red spinner. It has a wide white fuselage band with the national red circle on it. There is a red chevron on the rudder with a red 25 below it.
It belonged to the 47th Squadron of the Independent Flying Corps, active on the mainland of Japan during the months of 1942.
The 3rd top and side view is of a "Tojo" that is overall silver with a red spinner and red pin stripe down the length of the side of the fuselage and a red chevron on the rudder. It has a black anti-glare panel in front of the windscreen.
It belonged to the 70th Flying Corps, active both in the mainland of Japan and Manchuria during the period from 1942 to 1945.
The 4th top and side view is a "Tojo, that is in the same mottle pattern as the 1st "Tojo" described above. It has a black anti-glare panel in front of the windscreen and a blue fuselage band outlined in white. There is a blue arrow pointing forward on the rudder.
It was piloted by the squadron leader, Major Togo Saito of the 85th Flying Corps which had been active in fighting with U.S. fighters like the P-51 at Canton in 1944.
The bottom of the sheet has a listing of 1/100th, 1/50th and 1/72nd scale aircraft kits that Tamiya manufactures.
The reverse side of the instructions has general instructions down its left column, over a listing of all the names of the parts in the kit and a illustration of just one of the parts trees in the kit.
Down the right column is a total of 5 assembly steps.
Step 1 shows installation of a motor to spin the propeller. Not an option in this kit. I'm sure Tamiya makes a motorized kit of the "Tojo" though.
Down the right column is a total of 5 assembly steps.
Step 1 shows installation of a motor to spin the propeller. Not an option in this kit. I'm sure Tamiya makes a motorized kit of the "Tojo" though.
Trees are not alphabetized. They do, however, have part number tabs next to the parts on them.
The 1st silver tree holds the fuselage halves and elevators (4 parts)
The 1st silver tree holds the fuselage halves and elevators (4 parts)
The 2nd silver tree holds: drop tanks, main wheels, landing-gear legs and doors. wing flaps, tail wheel, antenna, pilot figure, dashboard, spinner, air intake etc. (26 parts)
Loose silver parts are: the propeller, cowling and the one piece lower wing half.
The clear tree holds the canopy (2 parts)
The final part is the black motor collar (excess and not needed)
The decal sheet completes the kit's contents
Detail is both raised and engraved.
Recommended.
Recommended.