| Date of Review |
June 2007 |
| Manufacturer |
FERESIN |
| Subject |
Ki-27 (Nate) |
| Scale |
1/144 |
| Kit Number |
144030 |
| Primary Media |
Resin |
| Detail Media |
Resin |
| Clear Media |
Vac |
| Pros |
Excellent casting and details! |
| Cons |
|
| Skill Level |
Intermediate |
| MSRP (USD) |
$17.68 |
Background
The Nakajima Ki-27 was the Imperial Japanese Army's first monoplane
fighter and designed with simplicity in mind. The aircraft was
a fixed gear aircraft that was powered by a 650 horsepower radial
engine and armed with a pair of 7.7mm machine guns. Entering service
in 1937, the aircraft was action against the I-15 and I-16
in the brief war with the Soviets in 1939.
Despite the aircraft's excellent maneuverability and low wing
loading, the aircraft lacked armor protection and self-sealing
fuel tanks. The aircraft was also not designed for high speeds,
so Soviet pilots could simple dive clear of the Ki-27 and re-engage
on their terms.
The Ki-27 was phased out of Army service by the Nakajima Ki-43
(Oscar) starting in 1941 and would countinue to serve as a training
aircraft at Japanese flying schools and as a fighter with the Thai
and Manchukuo air forces.
The Kit
FERESIN has released the Ki-27 in 1/144 scale - in resin! This
kit is molded in tan resin and consists of 25 parts, plus two vacuformed
canopies. The casting quality is exquisite.
The fuselage is hollow-cast and the kit provides an interior.
The interior consists of a cockpit floor, rear bulkhead w/pilot's
seat, control yoke, and instrument panel.
The wings and tail surfaces are molded separately so some care
will be required to get the wing dihedral right and to get the
tail squared up properly.
The radial engine is cast separately and the propeller is cast
as one unit.
Two sets of main landing gear struts are provided, the open type
used on the Ko and the enclosed spats used on the Otsu.
Like most of the better resin kits out there, this one has two
vacuformed canopies - one to mess up and one for the finished model.
Markings are provided for two aircraft:
- Ki-27a Ko, 1 Sentai/2 Chutai, Nomonchan, 1939
- Ki-27b Ostu, 24 Sentai/2 Chutai, Luzon, Philippines, 1941
Conclusion
This is an impressive little kit that will go together quickly,
though it should be attempted by modelers with some skills working
with small resin parts and cyanoacrylate adhesives.
Definitely recommended!
My sincere thanks to Hobbyshop.cz for
this review sample!
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