1/72 Hasegawa Nakajima

Ki-44 Shoki “Tojo”

by Bobby McElroy

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The Aircraft:

The Ki-44 was developed by the Japanese Imperial Army Air Force as a defensive interceptor with an emphasis on high rates of speed and climbing ability. Considered to be a bomber engine, this stubby little fighter is constructed around the Nakajima Ha-41, a two-row 14-cylinder radial engine rated at over 1,200 h.p.

The model pictured above represents a Pre-production Ki-44 of the 47th Chutai, flown by Captain Yasuhiko Kuroe in French Indo- China, January 1942.

The Kit:

            The Hasegawa kit is pretty straightforward and is a good little kit for the beginning modeler. I have built this particular kit three times and wouldn’t you know it I get better with each attempt.  Actually I have started a scale model building club at the middle school where I am a teacher. I was using this kit to instruct a few of my students on a couple of techniques in weathering. This was an inexpensive kit and rather easy to put together so I chose to build it for those reasons, as well as the time factor. I’m not really a 1/72-scale fan but for this job I made the exception.

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Painting:

            I used a combination of Model Masters enamels and acrylics. Of course I used the enamels first. I started by priming the model with Anthracitgrau RAL 7016 and this allowed me to find any imperfections and sand them out. Next I painted the entire model with Crome Silver FS 17178. I allowed this to dry for a few days. For the final paint coat I mixed IJA Brown with Insignia Red, both Model Masters ACRYL. I sprayed this very lightly and built it up in the panel line areas and areas likely to receive heavy exhaust build up. It matched the profile I was using almost exactly. While this dried I used masking tape to rip the paint off in areas of weathered appearance. It worked like a champ and my students really liked the effect. I saw the excitement on their faces and it reminded me of why I got into building these kits! FOR FUN!!!

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I  was inspired to try and get a few pictures outdoors. This however is an area that is going to need some work.... We shall see...

 Conclusion:

            Overall this is a good kit and very easy to work with. I’m sure those of you who are really good at working with 1/72 could have a field day with it. I was happy with the finished product next time I think that I’ll just get a bigger scale.

Hope you like it!

Bobby

Photos and text © by Bobby McElroy