Nakajima Ki-43 "Hayabusa" - in production

From the same vintage, April 1944, publication one more "Hayabusa" photo, this time in production. The exact location is unfortunately not mentioned.

Note that the hinomaru and the anti-glare pannels have already been applied and the different colour of the control surfaces.

Nakajima Ki-43 "Hayabusa" - 64th Sentai

A photo from a vintage, April 1944, publication featuring a Nakajima Ki-43 Model 2 Otsu "Hayabusa" belonging to the 64th Sentai, probably 2nd Chutai. The caption says that the "Hayabusa" are flying over Arakan in Burma. This would mean that they are taking part in the diversionary attack, launched in February 1944, called Operation Ha-Go, as part of the larger Operation U-Go, the Japanese Army attack against north-east India.

 

Kyushu J7W1 "Shinden" by Argyris Giannetakis Take #2c

Argyris has done excellent progress. The fuselage and the various parts are done and he's currently working on the wings. He hopes to test the finished model by October. Can't wait to see it flying in the Greek skies!

Video #1

Kawasaki Ki-48 (Lily) by Jean Barby

More Type 99 Twin-engined Light-Bombers or Kawasaki Ki-48 "Lily" belonging to the Hokota school. Note the stencils. The first, on the fuselage behind the bomber's position with the vertical line roughly signifying the propeller, says "キケン" (danger). The other one behind it with the arrow most probably says "ココ ヲノセル" (lift here). Finally the one on the leg cover says "オスナ" (don't push). Note the airbrush applied camo.

 

The above photo shows how much wrong the AZ kit is concerning the slope of the nose! I bult the kit some time ago, here are some pics to share, sayou,
- Jean Barby -

 

 

Model Commentary #3d - Anti-glare pannels of IJAAF fighters

Not all the fighters of the Japanese Army has anti-glare panels. Biplanes like the KDA5 and the Kawasaki Ki-10. In general only planes with Townend rings needed anti-glare protection. The Nakajima Ki-27 "Nate" didn't have either.

The four major single-engine fighter types all needed though, starting with the Nakajima Ki-43 "Hayabusa" as shown below.

 

Note that the anti-glare extended behind the cockpit until the area the canopy reached when extended.

 

The Nakajima Ki-44 "Shoki" also had anti-glare paint applied but the behind-the-cockpit extension either wasn't there at all or was very often overpainted when the white bands of the air defence unit planes were applied. So check whether your particular subject aircraft has the extension or not.

The Nakajima Ki-61 "Hien" had the same pattern with the other two but it was not necessary the paint to extend behind the cockpit.

All the available photos show that the Nakajima Ki-84 "Hayate" had the same pattern with the "Hayabusa" but no extension behind the cockpit. 

All artwork by Devlin Chouinard, photos from various Japanese publications.

Collector's Items

Vintage, rare and interesting kits from the Japanese Ebay.

ARII, "Shiden-kai" and Zero in 1/144

Unknown maker, "Hayabusa" 1/50. Any ideas?

Hasegawa, "Hayabusa" 1/32

Doyusha, "Hien" 1/28 motorised

Revell, "Hien" 1/144. Don't know how rare this box is but it sure looks cool.

Marusan, "Hien" scale unknown

KSN Midori, "Raiden" scale unknown but motorised. One of the worst boxes EVER!

And "Shoki" with the fake US tail marking.

Sanwa, "Mavis" possibly 1/144

Did you know there was a resin starter truck in 1/48 released by Yellow Cut?