MAQUETTE À MONTER - Kawasaki Ki-100-I Koh (Tony) "Fastback" Hasegawa | No. 09144 | 1:48
Prix régulier 39,00 € TTC 6%
Characteristics
| Scale | 1:48 |
| Manufacturer | Hasegawa |
| Size of the box | 34 x 19 x 5 cm |
Description
The highly successful Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien (code named Tony by the allies) was initially powered by the Kawasaki license built Ha40, and later the Ha140 inline 12 cylinder liquid cooled engine (a copy of the German DB601 that powered the Me109). The Ha140 engine became in short supply due to allied bombing of the Mitsubishi plants and the Ha112 14 cylinder, twin row, air cooled radial engine was chosen and mated to the Ki-61 HIEN airframe by Kawasaki chief designer Takeo Doi.
He had to widen the front area to accommodate the larger radial engine, and this resulted in a lower top speed; however, the airframe total weight was decreased and load carrying capacity increased due to the removal of the cooling system used for the Ha140 engine. Now designated the Ki-100, its overall performance was improved and its maneuverability increased so that it could successfully be pitted against the F6F Hellcat and P-51 Mustangs on an almost equal footing Known by the Imperial Japanese Army as the five type fighter, it made its first flight in February 1945, and was used as an air defense weapon over the Japanese mainland until the end of the conflict. It is believed that only 390 Ki-100 were produced and entered front line service prior to the end of the war.
Read more here about the KIT, thanks to scalemates