This is one of three new sheets Lifelike Decals has released covering the Ki-44 Shoki. In looking at Lifelike’s website, I see most of their decals are available in 1/72, 1/48, and 1/32, but these sheets appear to be only available in 1/48 as of now.

Clearly, a lot of time and effort has gone into the research on this sheet. Ten different references books are listed and cited throughout the individual aircraft descriptions.

This particular sheet covers the markings of 4 different “Shoki” aircraft, 3 Ki-44 II Hei versions and one Ki-44 II Kou version. The recommended kit is by Hasegawa, although I’m sure they could be used on the old Arii/Otaki kits.

The 4 markings are as follows:

Aires has been on the scene for some time now, producing some amazing details in resin and photo etch metal. Among aftermarket aficionados, Aires is the top of the pack for the level of detail and quality of casting. This set for the AFV Club 1/48 series of F-5 Tiger II kits is no exception, though installation is quite another matter.

In the Box

Released in October, 2011, this Hasegawa kit is a superb model and is a “must have” for any Blue Angels aficionado, or any Hornet fan. The parts supplied in the kit allow one to build either the B or the D model of the Hornet, both in Blue Angels markings. I was at the air show at Randolph AFB in November, 2011, at which #7 replaced a non-serviceable Super Hornet, and was very pleased to see that it was #7 that Hasegawa was featuring in this fine kit.

The Parts

The parts are molded in a blue color that is a very close approximation of the FS15050 of the Blue Angels. A small fret of photo etch is included, as well as cast metal landing gear. There are approximately 225 parts in this kit, some 40 of which are not used for the Blue Angels B or D model of the Super Hornet. These parts are obviously for a different variant, probably the E.

This decal sheet provides markings for eighteen Dutch Thunderjet aircraft. The package includes two sheets of decals and a four-page printed instruction sheet with general details of the decal placement. This decal sheet is a supplement to Dutch Profile #12, available from the same location. The color profile drawings from the book cover the same aircraft and provide a much clearer indication of the colors.

This decal sheet provides nose and tail numbers for all of the aircraft listed in the instruction sheet plus a few others that can be found in the Dutch Profile. A single set of national markings is provided, along with three sets of tail stripes and seven wing tank markings. Clearly, the modeler can produce a single model from this sheet. By obtaining some Dutch national insignia sheets, more models can be produced.

I've always been fond of the Supermarine Spitfire with its elegant design, but I certainly don't discount the role played by the Hawker Hurricane in defense of Britain in her hour of need. The Hurricane was far easier and quicker to produce than the Spitfire and made a very stable gun platform. Like the Spitfire, the early Hurricanes were originally equipped with a fixed pitch wooden propeller. By the end of 1939, Hurricanes were being equipped with either the De Havilland or the Rotol constant speed propeller, giving the Hurricane a much needed performance increase.

A quick review of the Quickboost website will show you that Quickboost offers the modeler a plethora of resin accessories from nose to tail in the popular scales. This review will focus on the nose and, specifically, a De Havilland constant speed propeller fitted to the 1/48th scale Hawker Hurricane. Quickboost recommends this propeller as a replacement on the Hasegawa Hurricane line of kits.