In Box Review - 1/32 Hasegawa Nakajima Ki-44 Shoki (Tojo)

 

 Kit Contents Description: 

 
  • 1/32 Hasegawa kit number: 08880 Release Date: November 2009.  
  • The latest in Hasegawa's new-tool series for 1/32 scale.   
  • This version is offered with 6 light Grey plastic trees and one clear sprue.
  • Hasegawa makes no bones about it and it is very apparent from some of the extra parts included on the trees and open gates that there will be several more versions.
  • Nicely detailed cockpit straight out of the box and includes a seated pilot figure.
  • At present the kit does not not provide removable access panels for the wing guns, though this may appear in the future.
  • Separately molded "butterfly" landing flaps.
  • A seated pilot figure is included with two different heads (oxygen mask on or off).
  • The ailerons, elevators, and rudder are all molded in place, but some simple surgery can fix it easily, Should you want to pose the flight controls in some position other than neutral.
  • A very nice rendition of the Ha-109 engine which builds up quick.
  • The cowling has your choice of open or closed cowl flaps.
  • The panel lining is crisp, fine and of equal depth and line up remarkably well on the two fuse halves and the main wings.
  • The main landing gear wheels are molded seperately from the rims, a nice touch that facilitates easy painting.
  • A pair of drop tanks represent the external stores provided as well as their pylons, plus an additional set of pylons outboard of the tanks for bombs (not included).

    • Beautiful Box Art by Koike Shigeo



     
    Kit Sprue Layout:




    Kit Instructions:




    Detail shot of included Instructions:




    Painting Guide for the three options:




    Clear Sprue Parts and Vinyl caps:




    Conclusions:

    An excellent new kit from Hasegawa, with some very nice colorful markings.  Very well engineered, and from first glances a quick build plus perfect fit of the "low count" parts contents.

    Straight out of the box should be a lot of fun, more advanced modelers have a superb base to start from and work the details to hearts content.


    After Market Parts Available now:
     
    SAC Metal Landing Gear - 32032    - Scale Aircraft Conversions

    First up are the White Metal Landing Gear set from Scale Aircraft Conversions.  SAC is located in Dallas Texas, USA.

     

    They have an impressive selection of landing gear from 1/24 all the way down to 1/72 scale for Prop, Jet and Helicopters.
     
    The latest release is the replacement gear for the Tojo Kit.   
    The parts come in an attractive functional boxing, protecting the parts efficiently.

    The canopy is molded separately from the windscreen and can be posed open or closed.

     

    The clear plastic parts are "crystal clear", very thin and without any visible distortion to the naked eye.

     

    The frame is nicely done and not overstated in the rivit pattern and overall thickness of the frame appears in a very scale like manner.

     

    Two front screens are provided, one for the early gun sight which protrudes through the armoured glass and one solid version.





















    Decal Sheet:

     

    Three different markings are available as follows:

    • Ki-44-II, 2, 3 Sqn/70 Flt Regt as flown by WO Makota Ogawa, Kashiwa AF, 1945
    • Ki-44-II, 11, 3 Sqn/70 Flt Regt as flown by Capt Yoshio Yoshida, Kashiwa AF, 1945
    • Ki-44-II, 3 Sqn/47 Flt Regt as flown by Capt Teiichi Hatano, Naeimasu AF, 1944

    The decal sheets appear in perfect registry and are of a very high quality well researched color matching’s. 

    Whether or not you choose to use the large white bands and yellow theater decal markings or choose to paint them you can't really go wrong.

    Also included in the decal set are options for the anti glare paneling on the nose and     rear of the cockpit.   

     
    Furthermore decals are provided for the gage faces and are absolute perfection and should dress up the cockpit front office nicely under some drops of Future

    or perhaps some punch-die clear acetate.

  • 1/32 Hasegawa kit number: 08880 Release Date: November 2009.  
  • The latest in Hasegawa's new-tool series for 1/32 scale.   
  • This version is offered with 6 light Grey plastic trees and one clear sprue.
  • Hasegawa makes no bones about it and it is very apparent from some of the extra parts included on the trees and open gates that there will be several more versions.
  • Nicely detailed cockpit straight out of the box and includes a seated pilot figure.
  • At present the kit does not not provide removable access panels for the wing guns, though this may appear in the future.
  • Separately molded "butterfly" landing flaps.
  • A seated pilot figure is included with two different heads (oxygen mask on or off).
  • The ailerons, elevators, and rudder are all molded in place, but some simple surgery can fix it easily, Should you want to pose the flight controls in some position other than neutral.
  • A very nice rendition of the Ha-109 engine which builds up quick.
  • The cowling has your choice of open or closed cowl flaps.
  • The panel lining is crisp, fine and of equal depth and line up remarkably well on the two fuse halves and the main wings.
  • The main landing gear wheels are molded seperately from the rims, a nice touch that facilitates easy painting.
  • A pair of drop tanks represent the external stores provided as well as their pylons, plus an additional set of pylons outboard of the tanks for bombs (not included).


    •  

    Straight out of the box, the parts appear in a very good cast quality. 

     

    Very little flash is apparent and no sink marks could be found on this particular example. 

     

    A very faint seam line was present but a quick swipe with a dull modeling knife took care of it.

     

    The tail wheel is integrated into the cast, but can be easily modified if you would want a little more detail in this area. 



     

     

    Here are the gear parts lightly cleaned from the very minor flash and a
    rubdown with some sanding sponges and a quick rub with a T-Shirt and some polish. 

    They do brighten up significantly and in this case for the Tojo is perfect to
    just install to the kit, no painting necessary, a small pin wash would bring out
    the detail on the shock, of so wished.

    One nice feature, not readily apparent, is the ability to final "tweak" the stance of the gear once glued to the kit,

    as the metal is soft enough to allow for small alignments so the wheels track true etc.

    SAC Gear is the perfect replacement should you wish to add a little strength to your model's stance,

    especially handy when transporting it to your next favorite model show or contest. 




    Master-Model - Brass Gun Barrels  - Master Model of Poland

    Master Model is a small aftermarket company located in Poland.  They have an excellent selection

    of brass gun barrels for subjects ranging from Ships to Planes. 

    Their more recent releases include some standard Japanese Machine gun Barrels which are a perfect

    small touch of detail to bring to the Ki-44 Tojo kit.

    They come in 2 parts, the actual gun barrel and the cooling jacket.  All you have to do is place the cooling

    jacket over the gun barrel and glue in place of the kit supplied plastic version.

    These barrels are highly detailed and perfectly cast. 

    2 thumbs up on these from my desk.

     

     

     

    I am quite confident, especially with the current trend to release more 1/32 scale subjects, we will soon see additional offerings from Aires for the cockpit,
    bulged wheels from Quickboost and a host of decal sheets with colorful markings from various companies.

     

     


    References for further research:

    Model Art Profile Book




    Revi Publications Book:


     
    See you soon on my next review.

    Hans Pennink
    Promodeller.com Group Build Editor