1/48 Kawasaki Ki-100-I Koh (Tony) "Fastback"

The Ki-61 Hien Model II was supposed to be a high-altitude interceptor version of that fine plane, but its Ha-140 powerplant -- to use a modern American English term-- sucked. To make matters worse, the U.S. bombed the engine plant, leaving the IJA with some 275 Ki-61-IIs without engines. In November of 1944, in a semi-desperation move, they adopted the Ha-112-II radial engine to the airframes and give birth to what was unquestionably the Japanese Army's best fighter of WWII, the Ki-100, or Army Type 5 Fighter. This kit is the Ki-100-Ia, the version created by modifying Ki-61-II airframes. Hasegawa has already released a kit of the Ki-100-Ib (Kit JT38), which was the version built with the new radial engine in mind from the start. Though the wing parts are shared by the two kits, the fuselage, canopy and other areas are obviously all-new tooling.