Arma Hobby has announced the release of a new tool Nakajima Ki-43-II Hayabusa 'Oscar' kit in 1/72 scale, expected to become available in November. Two of the expected sprue frames are shown below.
These suggest that both the outward facing and thrust exhaust pipes are included. The cowling appears to be multi part although the front rim and engine parts are not revealed. Initial markings options included in the kit are for three subjects as shown below.
1. Nakajima Ki-43-II Hayabusa of 3rd Chutai, Hiko Dai 59 Sentai, New Guinea 1943-44. Presumed to have been flown by the Chutai leader Capt Kenjiro Kobayashi
2. Nakajima Ki-43-II Hayabusa of 3rd Churai, Hiko Dai 54 Sentai, attributed to the Chutai leader Capt Hisashi Koshiishi, Paramushir, Kuriles 1944. (More on 54's wandering Chutai colours to follow!)
3, Nakajima Ki-43-II Hayabusa training aircraft of Hiko Dai 71 Sentai Hofu Airfield, Japan, late 1944. This unit was Hayate equipped but used the Hayabusa for training purposes during work up. The reference photo and caption for this aircraft in Model Art No.395 suggest that the Homeland Defence 'bandages' might have been overpainted.
Some renders from Arma Hobby are shown below.
Cowl flaps are shown open in these images but hopefully closed version parts will also be included. A new state of the art Hayabusa kit in this scale is welcome and surely a 1/48 scale release must follow (!). The clean cut 1/72 Hasegawa kit is now 42 years old and has the dreaded raised panel line detail whilst the Special Hobby kit is now 15 years old and attracts a mixed reception.
With thanks to Zbigniew Malicki and Arma Hobby for these previews.
Image credit: All © 2024 Arma Hobby.
