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.

The reference book discloses that a lot of the material published in it, has already been published before in other publications of the same editorial. That is not an issue as sometimes the modeler only needs a few references, and this book provides them all, plus you get a decal sheet as an extra.

Highly recommended.

I would like to thank Kagero Publishing and IPMS/USA for the review sample.