I’ve started yet another in-depth project, this time it is Japanese. This is the discontinued Hasegawa 1/48 Ki-100 Razorback. I have added the Eduard colored PE set to the cockpit for starters. First is the basic pit with a couple of unpainted PE parts in place followed by the completed pit with close-ups of the floor pan and sidewalls.
I could not close up the fuselage yet because I have not detailed the engine and did not feel like doing that right at the moment so I shifted over to the wing and began construction of the Eduard flap set. I had to sand the interior of the wing nearly paper thin to get the flap box to drop in properly. Overall the construction and fit have gone well so far.
Right now the flap box is simply resting in place. I may not actually glue it in place until after painting - the jury is still out on that one.
As for paint scheme I will be doing this one as Major Tehuriko Kobayashi’s Ki-100, commander of 244th sentai
As that statement implies I am building more than one - the second unit will be done as Major Teruhiko Kobayashi of 244th sentai.
But wait, I’m not done yet! I’ve got a major Kawasaki production line going here with the third unit being a Ki-100 bubble top. I have not decided just what scheme the third one will carry yet. Most of my markings will be either painted on or commandeered from the Techmod Ki-61 decal sheet 48052.
Here are the completed flaps. The actuator ribs actually move on the hinge rod but I will most likely glue them in place when I install everything.
The Eduard instructions called for a piece of plastic rod to be inserted there but I found it a lot easier to install fine brass rod.
The flaps have been painted and set aside. Everything is closed up on the fuselage and the cockpit is still fairly visible.
The Eduard set include some cool stuff for the gunsight and here yo can see that little piece completed and installed.
The kit canopy piece comes as a single close piece and I have not been able to find a vac replacement yet so I decided to cut it apart with my JCL razor saw. Actually went very well and now has been treated with Future - masking comes next.
It’s a very, very interesting fighter (imo). The Ki-61 “Tony” was transformed into the Ki-100 by replacing it’s in-line motor with a radial. It’s performance was markedly better than the Japanese “Messerschmitt” Ki-61. It has a funny, fluted front to allow for the wider radial. Nonetheless, it’s performance was a step up. The in-line motors were in short supply…
Probably the greatest flaw with this model is the hydraulic panel, well nicely detailed both Eduard and Hasegawa got the whole thing backwards. The kit panel has the levers all moving from top to bottom when in reality they all moved from front to back. Most people would not notice this flaw and I did not really feel like remanufacturing the panel hence they remain top to bottom throw.
Matt I would have to say unless the person looking at the plane is an absolute Ki-100 afficianado, for which I doubt there are many, they would never notice the panel.
That cockpit especially the console and gunsight are amazing JOHN
