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World War II
Discuss WWII and the era directly before and after the war from 1935-1949.
Hosted by Rowan Baylis
Review
Tamiya: Ki-61-Id Hien
Merlin
Staff MemberSenior Editor
AEROSCALE
#017
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United Kingdom
Joined: June 11, 2003
KitMaker: 17,582 posts
AeroScale: 12,795 posts
Posted: Saturday, March 04, 2017 - 07:08 PM UTC


I take a look at Tamiya's lovely new Hien and end up unexpectedly nonplussed. Not quite a case of the proverbial curate's egg (good and bad in parts), but rather an example of both excellent and totally bewildering...

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Thanks!
thehermit
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Manitoba, Canada
Joined: August 27, 2007
KitMaker: 277 posts
AeroScale: 64 posts
Posted: Saturday, March 04, 2017 - 09:48 PM UTC
I totally agree with Rowan's remarks in his open box review. Tamiya's usual excellent molding and fit, along with the best instructions in the industry. The clear fuse half and poor attempt at an engine are puzzling to say the least.
It IS however quite buildable and will sit on your shelf as another fine example of Tamiya quality and engineering.

thehermit
JPTRR
Staff MemberManaging Editor
RAILROAD MODELING
#051
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Tennessee, United States
Joined: December 21, 2002
KitMaker: 7,772 posts
AeroScale: 3,175 posts
Posted: Saturday, March 04, 2017 - 10:53 PM UTC
Build it! Build it! Build it!
GastonMarty
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Quebec, Canada
Joined: April 19, 2008
KitMaker: 595 posts
AeroScale: 507 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 08, 2017 - 12:12 PM UTC

It is way better than the Hasegawa kit that has an incurably curved left wing and poor and inconsistent wing thickness taper...

The downside is that the Tamiya kit's Tei variant saw almost no combat use and was mostly used as a parts provider to earlier variants due to its increased weight with no extra power. It was very often flown as a Kamikaze aircraft otherwise.. Weird for half the production, but true...

Gaston
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