This was a kit I had been looking forward to and even had it in my shopping cart of one of the online retailers. So, I was pleasantly surprised to see this kit in the list of available review items. In my opinion, this is a really cool-looking aircraft. Unfortunately, according to the history on the first page of the instructions, it was a disappointment. It was originally designed as an interceptor, but was later modified for the fighter-bomber role. Only 60 were actually produced.

The 85 plastic parts come on three sprues. There are also 60 resin parts and 18 photo-etch parts. There is also a piece of film for the instrument panel. The parts were nicely molded with good panel lines and detail. Unfortunately, many of the smaller parts required extra cleanup because the sprue attachment points were heavy and ran into the part.

Kagero has started a new series known as “References for Modelers”. This issue is devoted to the Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien

The references include several period pictures (black and white), some of which show the aircraft in the assembly line or during trials. Some pictures show details of the engine, air scoop, tail, etc., so you can treat them as a “walk-around”.

The line drawings in 1/48 and 1/72 scale show side views (port and starboard) and top and bottom views. The drawings specify if it corresponds to either Ki-60, Ki-61 first prototype, Ki-61-I Ko, Ki-61-I-Otsu, Ki-61-I Hien (early), Ki-61-I Tei, and Ki-61-II Kai. Some of the pictures, and drawings, include details on the Ki-60, the prototype for the Ki-61.

The booklet includes a small decal sheet (in 1/48 and 1/72) for a “Tony” in natural metal finish, and there are a handful of color profiles (and 4-view in some cases) for aircraft in Japanese Army service.

Shyhart Decals has released a decal sheet for a commemorative scheme flown by an F-4F and a Tornado in 2007, celebrating the 50 years of the aeronautical research institute of the German Air Force.

The aircraft were repainted in International Orange and had the German Flag in the nose, rudder and wing tips. The decal sheet provides decals for the German Flag around the nose of both aircraft, but you are directed to mask and paint the rudder and wing tips with the German national colors. There are instructions as to the size of each band and with straight lines, it should be easy to mask using tape.

These two aircraft also wore lots of physics equations in the fuselage and wings, representing all the fluid and aerodynamics research that goes into modern aviation.