Kawasaki Ki-45 Kai-Hei Toryu 5th Sentai June 1945 *Finished*
Comments
64 12 March 2022, 21:45
Daniel KlinkWelcome Mates, and here we go.
I did not spent to much attention to the interior because with this version the back canopy is completely closed and was empty, in the original setup resp. filled with additional fuel tanks.
13 March 2022, 19:04
akira kitaHi Daniel. You are making good progress. 🙂
By the way, I'm not sure which reference you were referring to, but in Japan those aircraft are generally air-to-air suicide planes for B-29 attacks, with the paint stripped off, the back seat removed, and a molded metal shroud added to gain speed and altitude.
14 March 2022, 01:25
Lost_ErikFast progress. I'd like to take a seat and share some virtual popcorn with the others! 😎
14 March 2022, 02:59
Daniel KlinkHi Erik and Akira, thank you for joining guys 👍
@Akira yes i read that too, but this particular unit seemed to have the job to bring them down with a belly mounted 37mm gun, instead of ramming them.
But it was also modified to lightweight and alle the equipment of the rearcockpit had been removed. Only kind of a small stool was fitted for the gun operator in the back, who loaded that big gun manually.
This configuration had only ben used by the 5th Sentai as far as i know, with quite some success.
14 March 2022, 21:17
akira kitaThere is a book ("FAMOUS AIRPLANES OF THE WORLD SPECIAL EDITION Ｖol.7" BUNRINDO) published in Japan that contains photos of this aircraft, for your information.
You'll be able to get it but unfortunately, it seems that there is no English version available, only Japanese commentary.
15 March 2022, 04:23
Daniel KlinkAh thank you Mate👍 I only own the later FAOTW edition from 1990 Vol.21.
Found it on Page 49 cool
15 March 2022, 17:42
akira kitaFor your enjoyment 🙂
Vol.21（Published in March 1990）captions. ⇒
Ki45 Kai C "Tensho" of 5 Squadron standing by at Kiyosu Airfield in the early summer of 1945. This plane also has a single-seat specification with the rear seats covered with metal plates, but it is unique in that only the vertical stabilizing plate on the dark brown fuselage top surface has had the paint peeled off to reveal a duralumin surface.
According to a former squadron member's recollection, this plane was flown by the squadron commander, Major Yoshiaki Yamashita, and was partially unpainted in order to identify it.
However, the upper management complained that it spoiled the camouflage effect.
The unit markings have black shadows added to stand out on the unpainted ground.
Special Edition Vol.7 (Published in September 2015) captions. ⇒
Type 2 two-seat fighter C at Aichi Kiyosu Airfield in April 1945. The nose gun ports are blocked to prevent dust. The dark green-gray color of the fuselage and vertical tail wing has been stripped, and the rudder has been painted with the unique name "Tensho". Following the Battle of Banda, in which he led two squadrons while most squadron commanders only had ground command, Major Yamashita took the lead during a B-29 raid on Nagoya on January 23, and was hit by counterattack shots, causing one of the engines to shut down and crash land in a field.
16 March 2022, 05:59
Daniel KlinkWhoaa, thank you so much For that very useful information and your translation Akira👍👍👍👍🤛
So the belly gun was operated by the pilot too?
16 March 2022, 08:55
akira kitaThis is a complicated issue for Japanese modelers. 🙂
As far as I know, the ki45 Kai B was initially equipped with a 37mm anti-tank gun under the fuselage and was loaded by the rear gunner, but was later upgraded to a continuous-fire Ho203 (37mm).
The ki45 Kai C, however, was equipped with a Ho3 (20mm) under the fuselage from the beginning, and the Ho203 was moved to the nose of the plane.
The 11th Air Division commander, Lieutenant General Kitajima, did not order the formation of an air-to-air suicide squadron against B-29 high-altitude air raids.
Even though the 5th Squadron under his command tried to reduce the weight of the aircraft and removed either Ho3 or Ho5 or Ho203.
The ki45 kai C in the photo has had the nose Ho203 and the upward pointing gun Ho5(20mm) removed.
They've also cut the antenna pole, a spec for air-to-air suicide planes in other squadrons.
I'm not sure how Major Yamashita attacked against B-29 while only Ho3 had been equipped.
16 March 2022, 10:25
Daniel KlinkThanks Mate!
So there might be no right neither wrong with the configuration 🙂
I will do this one with the belly mounted Ho203 continious fire.
16 March 2022, 23:00
Daniel KlinkThank you very much Mate 👍 Now for the Ki.45 it is marbling time again 🙂
19 March 2022, 20:13
Daniel KlinkThank you Jan, Cuajete, Guillaume, james, Alec and Erik👍👍
Your words are very much appreciated mates🤛👍
26 March 2022, 15:38
Daniel KlinkSome cosemetics are necessary after demasking, the red nose is left to do, the canvas rudders got a small bleeching and than the further weathering steps will follow..
So far i am quite happy with the outcome
27 March 2022, 16:38
Daniel KlinkThank you James, Cuajete and Vincent!! Glad you like the outcome so far 👍
27 March 2022, 20:41
Daniel KlinkNo Props and Spinners with the kit ..Hugh??? Argh!
Not proved that before dammit!
28 March 2022, 21:47
Daniel KlinkThanks Mate!👍
More than annoying but i should find replacwment in my stash!😉
29 March 2022, 12:05
James CThat's disappointing, but hope you have the spares to replace the missing parts.
Did you purchase the kit second hand?
29 March 2022, 16:53
CuajeteOuch Daniel!... What bad luck you have with the parts of some kits. Fortunately, a propeller and spinner may not be the same as a Lightning's canopy. I hope you can get something in the replacement stash.
29 March 2022, 17:52
Daniel KlinkMany thanks Cuajete and Guy, but there is still a aquite long way to go to the finish line🙂
30 March 2022, 19:56
CuajeteThen this promises many more good advances, Daniel. The replaced spinners and props looks great! 👍
30 March 2022, 20:08
Daniel KlinkThanks mates! hose words are very much appreciated and motivating.
So weatheing and panellining orgy started 🙂
30 March 2022, 22:25
JohnExcellent work Daniel.
I also enjoy when Akira jumps in with interesting Japanese aircraft information.
1 April 2022, 00:12
Daniel KlinkThank you very much mates👍
Yap Akira gave important background👍
Washing is done now some clearcoat will follow
2 April 2022, 08:45
Daniel KlinkHi mate many thanks for your motivation 👍
Not a masterpiece (especially the NMF part) but iam quite happy with the Result 👍
3 April 2022, 19:30
CuajeteTrue Daniel, it's a great work of art 😉
Fantastic result. Unusual scheme. Very pretty!!
Congrats!
3 April 2022, 19:41
James COutstanding looking build Daniel. I love the contrast of the bare metal fuselage against the superbly painted wings. Awesome! 👍
3 April 2022, 20:21
Daniel KlinkThank you James and cuajete👍
Your words are very much appreciated and justify my choice for the camo 😉👍
3 April 2022, 21:38
Robin (WhiteGlint)Wow, came out fantastic! 👍
Cool play of colours and shading, especially with the tail.
4 April 2022, 06:31
Daniel KlinkThank you very much Guillaume, Kyle, white glint and Neuling👍👍
Really glad you like the outcome🤛
4 April 2022, 11:53
Daniel KlinkThank youbvery much Christian,Gary and Villiers for your very nice comments👍
Very much appreciated👍👍🤛
9 April 2022, 05:38
Album info
I plan to build the silver green version wit the red tail rudder.
