Hasegawa 19180 1/48 Nakajima Ki43-I Hayabusa Oscar

The Ki-43 was originally considered as a "written-off" design until September of 1940. The need for a longer range fighter to participate in the Singapore campaign resulted in the design being reworked and accepted in May 1941. Initially it stood up very well against the old Buffaloes, Hurricanes and P-40s, but as the war dragged on, the Spitfire and P-38 eventually proved to be more than it could handle. With only two 7.7mm and one 12.7mm machine guns it was a drastically under-gunned. A wonderful airplane to fly but with no armament and armor it became another target. The IJA however continued use of the aircraft right up to the end of the war due to it's ease of maintenance and high efficiency.

Hasegawa has packed this kit with the quality they are known for. Beautiful fine engraved panel lines, a cockpit with fantastically detailed sidewalls and panels, Even the tail wheel is poseable. By looking at the parts breakdown it obvious that other versions of this aircraft will be done.

Markings are included for two aircraft - the first is from the 64th Flight Regiment flown by Major Tateo Kato in Burma during the spring of 1942. The second is the 1st Flight Regiment Commanders aircraft flown by Major Kinshiro Takeda in October 1942.