Nakajima Ki-84 "Hayate" (Frank) by Alex Angelopoulos

An absolutely gorgeous model by Alex Angelopoulos (a.k.a. Alan Gelo) of a Nakajima Ki-84 "Hayate" (Frank), Arma Hobby Model Kits, 1/72. I'm really, really impressed!

BRAND NEW sets from "RISING DECALS"

"RISING DECALS" has just released five(!!!) new sets of decals in 1/72 and 1/48. They are mostly for Nakajima Ki-43 "Hayabusa" (Oscar) models but there are some other fighter types as well. Very very interesting sets and a special thank you to Mirek for the review samples!

RD72-113 “25th Hiko Sentai”

1/72 Scale, Japanese Army Fighters Used by 25th Hiko Sentai (Ki-43 and Ki-84)

This decal sheet includes 12 camouflage schemes

RD72-114 “59th Hiko Sentai”

1/72 Scale, Japanese Army Fighters Used by 59th Hiko Sentai (Ki-27, Ki-43, Ki-61 and Ki-100)

This decal sheet includes 14 camouflage schemes

RD48-038 “Ki-43 over New Guinea and the Solomons” Pt.I

1/48 Scale, Japanese Army Fighter Ki-43 used by 13th, 24th, 59th, 77th and 248th Hiko Sentai

This decal sheet includes 5 camouflage schemes

RD48-039 “Ki-43 over New Guinea and the Solomons” Pt.II

1/48 Scale, Japanese Army Fighter Ki-43 used by 1st, 11th, 24th and 63rd Hiko Sentai

This decal sheet includes 5 camouflage schemes

RD48-040 “Ki-43 over New Guinea and the Solomons” Pt.III

1/48 Scale, Japanese Army Fighter Ki-43 used by 24th, 33rd, 63rd and 59th Hiko Sentai

This decal sheet includes 5 camouflage schemes

"Toraware no Nihonki" #18 - Hankow, China 漢口, 中国

A collection of Japanese aircraft types found at the end of the war at Hankow Airfield.

Kawasaki Ki-48 "Lily" with Green crosses. Of interest are the areas that have been darkened out. On the fuselage, between the green cross and the tail, it would normaly be the place where an "aikoku" (patriotic donation) inscription would be placed.

The same "Lily" seen in the previous photo. It's rather interesting that there is no big tail marking that has been erased and that it has no camouflage. Could it be a newly arrived aircraft from the Hokkota school?

The same "Lily" in the foreground with more aircraft visible in the background.

In this not so famous photo, we can clearly see some of the aircraft next to the "Lily". A Nakajima Ki-84 "Hayate" (Frank) belonging to the 25th Sentai. The unit was organized in November 1942 and until 1945 it was equipped with Nakajima Ki-43 "Hayabusa" (Oscar) fighters. Starting from February 1945 and for a month, it was re-equipped with "Hayate". This one in the photo belonged to the 2nd Chutai.

In this photo we can clearly the aircraft next to the "Hayate" in the previous photo; it's a Nakajima Ki-43 "Hayabusa" that also belonged to the 25th Sentai but served with the 1st Chutai. Note the unusual uneven size of the tail number.

Next to the "Hayabusa" in the previous photo, is a Fokker Super Universal. Notice the cross under the starboard wing next to the hinomaru. It is not a green cross, it's a red cross. A number of Super Universals were modified and deployed as ambulance aircraft in the '30s. This is a really old aircraft but the camouflage shows that it was still active until the end of the war.

Another "Lily", this one with proper camouflage and the number "1096" on the nose. Unfortunately the tail marking is not visible so it's difficult to be sure about the unit.

Another Nakajima Ki-84 "Hayate" found at Hankow Airfield. There is something dark on the tail but can't see if it's a number or a tail marking.

A Nakajima Ki-49 "Helen". Unfrotunately the tail marking is not visible. Can you figure out the type of the aircraft on the left?

Tachikawa Ki-36 "Ida". But is it a Ki-36 "bomber" or a Ki-55 trainer. After all these years, a book and posts, people still can't tell the difference between the two. Simple stuff: the Ki-55 trainer did NOT have bomb attachments under the wings. This one does and therefore it is a Ki-36.

A well-known photo of a Tachikawa Ki-54 Hei transport "Hickory" that is usually found without a location. Note the huge overpainted tail marking. Note the lack of a green cross on the port wing and the missing propeller on the starboard. What is the aircraft next to it on the right? Could it be.....

A different photo of the same "Hickory" this time with green crosses on the wings and replaced propellers. It seems that this one was deemed airworthy and was put to service again. The caption of the photo confirms that the location is Hankow.

Nakajima Ki-84 "Hayate" by Jean Barby

Hot off the press, here is my rendition of a Ki-84 from the 10th fighter Training Hikotai based in Kita-Ise, in August 1945. The Hasegawa kit has been improved with the SBS cockpit set, the model has been riveted and all markings were made using homemade masks. I have used the Life-decals 48-031 as a pattern for the white tail markings. As there is no picture of the complete aircraft, I let the spinner in light green like the propeller. The figurines are from Sol. I am now finished with the updates of my Japanese models. 

- Jean Barby -

Heads Up!

Arma Hobby released a new "Hayate" kit, in 1/72, dedicated to Shimbu-tai. 

The decals include the aircraft flown by Kono Tadashi of the 57th Shimbu-tai, 

one of the "Hayate" of the 58th Shimbu-tai (unit history, here)

and previously unknown markings of the 195th Shimbu-tai.

The decal artwork of the last "Hayate" was based on a model built by Arawasi friend and Master Modeler Saito Hisao,

who contributed to the Arma Hobby page a most interesting article about this previously unknown unit,  with photos that confirm the specific markings.

You can read the article HERE. 

Let's hear now from the 1/48 guys the usual cries for a larger-scale release...(yawn!)

Nakajima Ki-84 "Hayate" (Frank) by Enzo Acorda

2nd build of 2022! Been working on and off on both the Tomcat and Hayate. Started the Hayate as I needed to rest my eyes from working with TPS colors for the past year and a half and it has also been 2 years since I last finished a prop. This one's Arma Hobby's awesome Ki-84 in 1/72nd scale. Markings of choice are from the 1st Hiko-Sentai based in the Philippines. Many thanks to Tony Feredo and George from Arawasi for their input regarding the actual aircraft and unit. 
The fit of the kit was great! Only issue I had was with the fit of cockpit's upper half which had small steps on the sides of the fuselage. I also found the cowling of the kit to be fiddly to assemble, it was tricky getting everything in there to line up nicely. Other than that, it was a quick, hassle-free build. Engineering was great around many areas like the landing gear, gear doors, fuselage, etc. Though, I could use some more PE in the cockpit besides a pair of seatbelts. 
The markings I opted for were featured on the first page of Model Art 493 which I purchased from Arawasi. These were from the 1st Hiko-Sentai, which saw action over the Philippines. For the paint, I used AK Real Color Olive Brown No.7 and Mr. Color 128 IJA Grey Green. The stripes were painted using Tamiya LP Insignia White and Flat Red. Weathering was done with oil paints. Chipping was done with a mix of dry brushing (for the back of the props), brush and a torn-up sponge. I used Hiro Acrylics Silver for the chipped effects along the wing roots and high traffic areas like the sides of the fuselage, access panels and other hatches.
- Enzo Acorda -