Background
The Nakajima Ki-43 [Oscar] was designed as a replacement for the Nakajima Ki-27 'Nate'. It was first flown in early January 1939 and proved to be a huge disappointment. The airframe was steadily changed and improved. The introduction of Fowler flaps on the 11th prototype and the combination of the changes on included on prototype 13 led to a huge improvement and with that an order from the IJA.
The Ki-43-I was initially produced in November 1939 and was fitted with the fourteen-cylinder two row Nakajima Ha-25 engine turning a two-bladed, variable-pitch metal propeller. The Ki-43-I was fitted with two synchronized cowling machine guns in various configurations. The Ki-43-Ia was fitted with a pair of Type 89 7.7 mm (0.303 in) machine guns. The Ki-43-Ib was armed with one 12.7 mm (0.50 in) Ho-103 and one 7.7 mm (0.303 in) machine guns. The Ki-43-Ic had two 12.7 mm (0.50 in) Ho-103 machine guns.
Prototypes for the Ki-43-II flew in February 1942. The nose was redesigned to fit the Nakajima Ha-115 engine along with a two-stage supercharger. Also, a three bladed propeller was fitted. The wings were strengthened with various forms of self-sealing tanks fitted. Pilot armour was introduced as well. The Ki-43-II was built at three plants: Nakajima built the Ki-43-II at its Ota factory and the Tachikawa Aircraft Company Ltd as well as the 1st Army Air Arsenal facility.
Nakajima ceased production of the Ki-43 to concentrate on the Ki-84 Hayate. Tachikawa took over the production of the Ki-43-III. The Ki-43-III was fitted with the improved Nakajima Army Type 1 Ha-115-II engine. Total production of all versions reached 5,919 aircraft.
Although its official Allied reporting name was the ‘Oscar’ American pilots called it the Army Zero. It had superficial similarities to the Zero was often confused with the Navy fighter in the heat of battle.
The radial-engined Ki-43 like the Zero was light and easy to fly and could outmanoeuvre any opponent. It proved hugely successful in the early months of the Pacific war against the likes of the Curtiss P-36 Hawk, Curtiss P-40, Brewster Buffalo, Hawker Hurricane and Curtiss-Wright CW-21 particularly flown by inexperienced pilots. It would struggle later against the P-47, P-38, P-51. F4U Corsair, F6F Hellcat, Spitfire and Seafire as well as the Soviet Yak-3 and Yak-9. Initial versions of the Ki-43 were poorly armoured lacking self-sealing fuel tanks. Armament was insufficient for downing later Allied aircraft. It was reported if hit that the Ki-43 would catch fire and break up easily. In all 5,919 Ki-43’s was built. Inevitably they were used in the final days of the war as Kamikaze aircraft.
This initial release from Arma Hobby is of the mid version Nakajima Ki-43 [Oscar]. The new tool kit contents include:
- 2 x grey plastic sprues
- 1 x clear plastic sprue
- 2 x decal sheet
- 1 x sheet Kabuki paint masks
- 1 x instructions including QR code for 3D print files
The kit comes in a side opening box, with the contents of the kit placed in a single plastic bag. Packed separately are the clear parts with the decals and paint masks placed inside the instructions. Taking the sprues out of the bag it’s clear that Arma Hobby has maintained their excellent reputation with the quality of the raised and recessed detail. The recessed panel lines are sharp, consistent, and quite subtle, ideal if you like highlighting them with a wash. There are locating pins included on the main parts. You will notice there is a little flash around some parts, most notably the rudder. Arma Hobby has tried to maintain a scale thickness around the model’s trailing edges, so they are very thin. Arma Hobby had trouble getting the plastic to flow into the narrow pathways, so made the decision to increase the flow pressure. This has resulted in a beautifully thin rudder at the cost of a little flash. Arma Hobby has been quite candid about the problems and solutions with this release and well worth reading their blog.
Arma Hobby make a big effort to create excellent cockpit detail without resorting to using photo etched parts. Cockpit is made up from thirteen plastic parts with two alternate parts for the instrument panel [IP] mount. Detail includes control stick, rudder pedals, instrument panel [IP], seat, throttle quadrant, flap and undercarriage levers as well as instruments for the sidewalls. The seat and frame look good and compares favourably with images of the real thing. There are three styles of headrest included in the kit. The type fitted was generally indicative of pilot’s choice and not of the variant. There are twelve decals to be placed in the cockpit. Four of which provide details for the IP and another four are for the seatbelts. Oddly the inclusions of the seatbelts are not mentioned in the instructions. Another source of seat belts is on the small paint mask set, again this is not mentioned in the instructions. The cockpit walls and floor have excellent level of detail with raised ribs, stringers and cables.
The canopy and windscreen are separate parts, with the plastic being impressively thin and clear with very little distortion. The canopy can be fitted in the open position. The frames are nicely defined and Arma Hobby has included paint masks with this kit.
Arma Hobby has captured the slender lines of the fuselage very well. The Nakajima Ha-115 engine is made up from five nicely detailed parts. Once complete the engine fits onto the part forming the cooling gills. The gills are moulded in the open position. Five parts make up the nose surrounding the Nakajima Ha-115 engine, the nose ring is one piece. The fairing over the top of the engine has a separate part representing the guns. There are two different styles of exhaust pipe included in the kit. The fuselage panel just by the tip of the exhaust is separate. This allows Arma Hobby to replicate the early and mid-series production runs. There are two types of panels included in the kit, the one fitted depends on what type of exhaust is used. The oil cooler under the nose is a separate two-piece part. The tiny prop is one piece with a separate propeller boss. Arma Hobby is vague about the colour, but do provide paint reference for a number of paint manufactures.
Nice thin trailing edge on the rudder.
The wings are moulded in two parts as full span upper and lower parts. Ailerons and flaps are moulded in situ. The main undercarriage bay is moulded into the lower wing. The kit contains two types of underwing fuel tank: early and late. You will need to open the partially formed holes to fit the fuel harnesses. Just be aware that the early tanks are fitted inboard of the main wheels. The late are fitted outboard of the wheels. The outboard harnesses can be used to mount bombs, though none are included in the kit. Holes need to be drilled in the belly for the fuel cooler that is fitted to options 1 and 3. Tailplanes are both one piece. The elevators are moulded in the neutral position. Arma Hobby suggest attaching the tailplanes after the decals has been applied for option 2.
The main wheels of the undercarriage are one piece as is the tailwheel unit. There are paint masks for all three wheels. The main undercarriage legs are simple well detailed parts. There are four parts making up the main undercarriage doors. The two large doors attach directly onto the legs. Tailwheel unit is one piece and nicely detailed. There are paint masks for the main and tail wheels.
Kabuki type paint masks are included. These are for the canopy, windscreen, landing light in the wing, main and tail wheels. There are also paint masks for the pilot’s seat belts.
Decals are printed by Techmod and they look superb with good colour and registry. There is a minimum amount of carrier film to be seen. Arma Hobby has included extra decals for the markings, stencils, and cockpit for those wanting to buy the additional overtrees. Arma Hobby has created several decals forming the yellow identification stripe on the leading edge of the wing. There are a number because of the complex shape. So, it’s worth spending a bit of time studying there placement before applying. Might be just easier to mask and paint. The is a small erratum sheet which has a couple of alternate yellow decals forming the ID stripe on the leading edge.
Marking options include:
• Nakajima Ki-43 II Hayabusa, 59th Hiko-Sentai, 3rd Hutai, New Guinea 1943-44
• Nakajima Ki-43 II Hayabusa, 54th Hiko-Sentai, 2nd Hutai, Pilot: Capt Hisashi Koshiishi, Paramushir, Kuriles 1944
• Nakajima Ki-43 II Hayabusa, Hiko Dai 71 Sentai training aircraft, Hofu Airfield, Japan, late 1944
Option 1 has dark green upper surfaces and aluminium lower surfaces. Option 2 and 3 are aluminium overall. The dark green paint seen on option 2 show signs of either weathering or application of a dappled effect. Option 3 is aluminium overall with white bands on the wings where the Hinomaru are painted.
Instructions generally from Arma Hobby are very good, and these enclosed are no exception. Diagrams are excellent and the written notes are in Polish and English. The four view full colour illustrations are always a welcome inclusion for any paint guide. There are several paint manufactures referenced in the instructions including: Hataka, AK RC, Lifecolor, Ammo, Humbrol, Vallejo and Tamiya.
Arma Hobby supply a QR code in the instructions so that you can access free of charge the 3D print file for self-printing. The 3D printed set includes:
• Exhaust pipes - two types
• Pilot's seat and seatbelts
• Gun barrels
• Oil cooler
• Fuel cooler
Conclusions
There is no doubt that the aircraft of the Imperial Japanese Army are lesser known than their western counterparts. Arma Hobby has made a brave and most welcome decision to release this modern tooled Nakajima Ki-43 II Hayabusa [Oscar]. Detail is excellent and construction looks straightforward enough. A little extra time and care is needed to clean up the flash on the trailing edge of the fin and rudder. Despite that Arma Hobby has produced a gem of a kit. Highly recommended.
Our thanks to Arma Hobby for kindly supplying this kit for review on Aeroscale. The kit is available now from Arma Hobby. Price is €21.36 for the basic kit from Arma Hobby
70078 – Nakajima Ki-43 II Hayabusa [Oscar] – 1:72
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