| Date of Review |
June 2007 |
| Manufacturer |
FERESIN |
| Subject |
Ki-46-III Otsu/Hei (Dinah) |
| Scale |
1/144 |
| Kit Number |
144057 |
| Primary Media |
Resin |
| Detail Media |
Resin |
| Clear Media |
Vac |
| Pros |
Excellent casting and details! |
| Cons |
|
| Skill Level |
Intermediate |
| MSRP (USD) |
$TBA |
Background
Mitsubishi's Ki-46 was designed as a twin-engined reconnaissance
aircraft for the Imperial Japanese Army. The twin-engine design
provided the needed safety for being able to sustain
flight over long stretches of water, even in the event of an engine
failure.
First flown in 1939, the aircraft's range allowed the aircraft
reach targets in northern Australia, Burma, Indochina, etc. Like
many aircraft with some adaptability, the Ki-46 was adapted into
other missions to support combat operations. Its glass nose was
replaced with a stepped nose which housed a variety of gun armament
for ground attack or intercepting B-29 Superfortresses.
Like most aircraft that came online in the beginning of the war,
the Ki-46 gradually went from flexible airborne platform to fighter
bait and was withdrawn from service in 1945.
The Kit
FERESIN has released the Ki-46 in 1/144 scale - in resin! This
kit is molded in tan resin and consists of 40 parts, plus two vacuformed
canopies. The casting quality is exquisite.
The fuselage is hollow-cast and the kit provides an interior.
The interior is a floor that extends from the cockpit to the rear
cabin, on it are two bulkheads dividing the cockpit, mid-section,
and rear cabin. In the cockpit is a pilot's seat, control yoke,
and instrument panel. In the rear cabin is a crewman's seat and
aft-firing machine gun.
The wing is one-piece and some care will be requied to remove
the molding channel that will be in the way of the cabin floor.
Thereis a lot of detail and small parts including building up
the two three-bladed propellers and landing gear assemblies.
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-46-III Otsu, 17th Independent Wing, Chofu AB, 1944
- Ki-46-III Otsu/Hei, 16th Independent Wing, Kiyosu AB, 1945
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 FEResin for
this review sample!
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