Tamiya Plastic Model Kit
Tamiya Kawasaki Ki-61-Id Hien (1/72)
The Kawasaki Ki-61-Id Hien, officially adopted by the Imperial Japanese Army in 1943, was unique among Japanese WWII fighters for its liquid-cooled Ha-40 inline V engine. Its slim fuselage, elongated nose, and elegant wing profile set it apart visually and aerodynamically from the majority of radial-engined Japanese designs of the era. The Ki-61-Id variant featured a nose lengthened by 20cm to accommodate powerful 20mm cannons, with additional 12.7mm machine guns mounted in the wings. This configuration made it the most prolifically produced version of the Hien, with 1,360 units built.
The Ki-61-Id excelled at higher altitudes, making it ideal for intercepting U.S. B-29 bombers attacking the Japanese home islands in the closing stages of the Pacific War. Its appearance initially confused Allied pilots, leading to misidentification as a Messerschmitt Bf 109 or an Italian fighter, earning it the reporting name “Tony” by U.S. forces. In reality, the Ki-61 was the only mass-produced Japanese fighter to utilise a liquid-cooled inline engine. Over 3,000 Hiens were built in total, with the type seeing combat from its debut over Yokohama during the Doolittle Raid in April 1942 through to the end of hostilities.
- Highly detailed 1/72 scale assembly kit of the Kawasaki Ki-61-Id Hien
- Accurately reproduced elongated nose and armament layout
- Faithful recreation of the aircraft’s slender fuselage and wing design
- Includes historically accurate markings
- Ideal for Pacific Theatre aircraft collections
History
Nicknamed “Hien” or “Flying Swallow,” the Kawasaki Ki-61 was Japan’s answer to high-speed, high-altitude aerial combat. Its advanced engineering and unique powerplant provided a blend of speed, range, and firepower uncommon among Japanese fighters of the era. Despite the logistical challenges of maintaining its liquid-cooled engine, the Ki-61 proved to be a valuable interceptor, challenging Allied air superiority in the Pacific and defending Japan’s skies until the final days of World War II.
