Manufacturer:Hasegawa, distributed by Marco Polo Import, 532 S. Coralridge Place, City of Industry, CA 91746, 626-333-2328.
Kit: No. CP19
Scale: 1/72
Price: $26.98
Comments: Injection molded, 105 parts, decals
Pros: Crisp exterior detail, good weapons options, interesting subject
Cons: Some flash, interior simplified, some interior detail hidden when model is finished, canopy frames difficult to mask, vague camouflage color information
During the air-sea battles off the Formosa Islands in October 1944, the Mitsubishi Ki-67 Type 4 Kiryu (Flying Dragon) heavy bomber made its combat debut by making torpedo attacks against Allied shipping. Code-named "Peggy," the Ki-67 was considered the best Japanese bomber in the Pacific War due to its speed, maneuverability, ceiling, payload, and range. Unfortunately, its short combat history prevented the aircraft from reaching its potential.
Officially, the Ki-67 was listed as a heavy bomber, however its dimensions and performance were comparable to the twin-engine U.S. B-26 Marauder medium bomber. Production was limited to 698 examples due to allied bombings and the earthquake of December 1944, which seriously curtailed engine production. During its short operational history, it served well in China and successfully attacked U.S. B-29 bases in the Marianas from bases on Iwo Jima.
Hasegawa's Ki-67 Hiryu is an improvement over the old LS/Arii Ki-67 kit. Hasegawa's 101 light-gray parts are molded with clean recessed panel lines. Vinyl hubs are used to attach the propeller shafts to the engines. I found many parts to have mold separation lines, and the engine accessories and propellers had minor flash. The clear parts are molded with both recessed and raised panel lines, but the raised detail is very shallow, making it difficult to accurately mask the framework for painting. I spent a lot of my time re-scribing the canopy framework and masking the window frames prior to painting.
The kit includes optional parts for three weapons configurations: bomb bay closed, bomb bay uncovered with an 800-lb. torpedo, or bomb bay open with eight bombs exposed. You also get optional Taki 1-11 radar antennas.
While the cockpit interior detail is fair for this scale, a fuel tank placed behind the radio operator's station will never be seen after the fuselage is closed. You might as well put it in your spares box. "Weighted" tires are also provided.
The models 10-step illustrated instruction sheet is clear, except for two areas. The location of the floorboard (part No. C11) is vague, but if you study the clear nose (J1) you'll find a locator notch. It is also unclear how the braces (C8/C9) for the waist machine guns are located and whether the guns are attached to the braces or to the brackets found directly above the waist gun openings. Overall, parts fit was good, but some filling was needed in spots.
Hasegawa describes the overall camouflage as a mix of khaki and "propeller color" using Gunze Sangyo paints. I mixed AeroMaster enamels and tried to simulate the color of the built-up model on the box photos. I wish someone would produce this color so I won't have to mix it each time. The decals went on easy and reacted well with Solvaset.
My main reference was Rene Francillon's Japanese Aircraft in the Pacific War. I like the kit enough to want to build another one. It certainly looks good next to my other Japanese aircraft from World War II.
I spent 25 hours on the model, most of it in re-scribing and masking the clear parts. A beginner who has built a few models should have little trouble with it. Experienced modelers will want to add more detail to the cockpit and waist gunner's area.