The1971Show Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 OK, so as I threatened hinted at earlier today, I've got a Hasegawa 1:32 Ki-61 'Tony' and by gum I'm gonna build it. Cue the de rigeur shot of the box: And the reference material I picked up for the occasion: And what I hope will be the only aftermarket I purchase for this build: The seatbelts look impressive, but they've got me worried because you only get a lap belt and at least one Ki-61 build I've seen shows a shoulder harness as well, which doesn't come with this set. I'm still trying to ascertain if I have to add one, but if anyone knows please let me know. The Kagero book indicates that Brown flew a captured Tony in San Diego after the war, possibly the one captured by the Marines on Okinawa. If that was the case, it may well also have sported its distinctive red, white & blue paint job applied shortly after capture. I'd really rather do an example still in Japanese service, so this model won't be living up to the spirit of this group build 100% but I hope I can do something pretty neat anyway. The cockpit is still under assembly, but once I start showing some paint there will be photos. Darren mpk and BradG 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The1971Show Posted August 15, 2016 Author Share Posted August 15, 2016 While the in-box decal option for Kobayashi's mount is attractive, I'm going to retain it as Plan B and try one of these roughed-up 19 Sentai beauties captured at Clark Field instead: I mean, while they were still in flyable condition, natch! Darren LSP_K2, mpk, BradG and 3 others 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmthamade Posted August 16, 2016 Share Posted August 16, 2016 Dang!! Did you just get that from Wheels and Wings? Had my eye on it!! Seems to be a real popular kit here now. Looking forward to the in progress build. Don mpk and LSP_K2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_K2 Posted August 16, 2016 Share Posted August 16, 2016 And the reference material I picked up for the occasion: Darren Definitely on my "want" list. In your opinion, is it a worthwhile book? The1971Show, mpk and Shaka HI 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Kevin Posted August 16, 2016 Share Posted August 16, 2016 Good choice! We seem to have builds of this kit popping up everywhere, and that's no bad thing. Kev The1971Show, mpk and LSP_K2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The1971Show Posted August 16, 2016 Author Share Posted August 16, 2016 Dang!! Did you just get that from Wheels and Wings? Had my eye on it!! Seems to be a real popular kit here now. Looking forward to the in progress build. Don Indeed, I picked it up during their big sale a couple of weeks ago. And you're right, it was your build, Hubert's, and Kevin's resurrected build all happening in succession that put the bug in my ear to try this one out. I also saved a bunch of in-progress pics of from Hyperscale once of Kobayashi's plane as done by either Bazyli Briks or Ralph Riese (sorry, I can't remember whom, now) which are pretty inspiring too. Thanks! Darren mpk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The1971Show Posted August 16, 2016 Author Share Posted August 16, 2016 Definitely on my "want" list. In your opinion, is it a worthwhile book? It's got a lot of photos and info; scale drawings in 1:72, 1:48, and 1:32, brief unit histories, production histories, some very nicely done colour profiles, etc. I picked it up to get a good starting point for info because before this I knew absolutely nothing about this plane (ergo, I can't comment as to the accuracy of the info in the book), and I'm still working my way through it. I had hoped for more of an Aero Detail kind of tract, with more detail photos inside (not that there's much in the way of surviving Tonys around any more...), but I don't regret buying the book as I'll understand the differences between the Ki-61-I 'hei', 'tei', and 'otsu' variants before too long. Darren LSP_K2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_K2 Posted August 16, 2016 Share Posted August 16, 2016 Based on the other Kagero books from the same series, I had no real hope of it being heavily detail oriented. Still, one that I'd like to eventually add to my book stash. The1971Show 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaka HI Posted August 16, 2016 Share Posted August 16, 2016 Definitely on my "want" list. In your opinion, is it a worthwhile book? I say Yes! LSP_K2 and The1971Show 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_K2 Posted August 16, 2016 Share Posted August 16, 2016 I say Yes! I don't even know why I ask, really, as I like all of the Kagero books that I have so far. Shaka HI and Shawn M 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaka HI Posted August 16, 2016 Share Posted August 16, 2016 Ditto..I just buy'em when I find'em...for $20-$30, they're excellent man-throne reading material! Shawn M, The1971Show and LSP_K2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BradG Posted August 16, 2016 Share Posted August 16, 2016 Welcome aboard. It's a really nice kit to build just test fit the wings to make sure of a good fit and no filler will be required at all. The1971Show 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The1971Show Posted August 16, 2016 Author Share Posted August 16, 2016 While doing some extra research on j-aircraft.org last night I came across this forum post about Ki-61 parts being discovered in an attic in Japan. Some nice views of that off-tan interior colour. Darren Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azgaron Posted August 16, 2016 Share Posted August 16, 2016 Looking forward to seeing this one built! HÃ¥kan The1971Show and mikeblack 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The1971Show Posted August 16, 2016 Author Share Posted August 16, 2016 (edited) Thanks to everyone for the best wishes so far on this project, now on to some work... I've hollowed out one of the exhaust assemblies, and the results are as follows: With the ol' Mk.Ib "Assembly: Ball, Eye" at a minimum of 12"/300mm distance it looks pretty good to me. Not perfect, but pretty good. The closer you get, the further from perfect it gets, but I can live with it. However, I'd like to get better at this sort of thing, so with Plan B being the purchase of a set of Quickboost exhausts, I'd like to invite anyone with a good set of skills to share their closely-guarded trade secrets tips & hints. Essentially, I drilled two holes into each exhaust with a small-diameter drill bit held with a jeweler's vice and then carved out the rest with a low-RPM, battery-powered variation on a Dremel (can't remember what it's called, but it was marketed about 12 years ago by MMP). This isn't foolproof, but with some more practice I'll get better at it. With some black paint inside each wee depression and the rest of each stack painted suitably rusty I think it'll look the business... So anyway, if anyone is quietly asking "why are you doing it that way when you can do it this way?" please let me know, I'm not defensive about this and this isn't some kind of passive-aggressive ambush. I'm here to learn. Darren Edited August 16, 2016 by The1971Show Kendzior, Shaka HI, mikeblack and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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