MAQUETTE À MONTER - Kawasaki Ki61-I Tei Type 3 Fighter Hien (Tony) 'U.S. Prisoner of War' Hasegawa | N° 07420 | 1:48
Prix régulier 30,00 € TTC 6%
Characteristics
| Condition | Like New Inside Unopened - Intérieur non ouvert |
| Scale | 1:48 |
| Manufacturer | Hasegawa |
| Size of the box | 33 x 19 x 5 cm |
| EAN | 4968347420 |
Description
The Kawasaki Ki-61-I Hien, Allied reporting name “Tony,” was a Japanese Army fighter aircraft used extensively during World War II. It was the only mass-produced Japanese fighter of the period to use a liquid-cooled inline engine, the Kawasaki Ha-40, which gave it a sleek profile and improved aerodynamic efficiency compared to radial-engined contemporaries. Designed for balance between speed, climb rate, and maneuverability, the Ki-61 performed well as a high-altitude interceptor and frontline fighter.
Although its engine was based on German Daimler-Benz technology, Japan faced difficulties in production quality, maintenance, and reliability, which affected operational readiness. Despite these issues, the Ki-61 saw widespread service in the Philippines, New Guinea, and later in the defense of the Japanese home islands against Allied bombing raids.
One of the most famous units operating the Hien was the 244th Sentai, known for its intense defense of Tokyo and participation in combat against B-29 Superfortresses. Armed with two 20 mm cannons and two 12.7 mm machine guns, the Ki-61-I remained a capable and respected opponent until the end of the war.
More to read about the KIT here, thanks to scalemates, a Belgian Scale modeling database