Platz 1/144 Army Type 1 Fighter Hayabusa Type I "Silver Wing Hayabusa" Plastic Model (Released)

About the Actual Aircraft

The Hayabusa, officially known as the Type I Fighter, was a key fighter aircraft for the Japanese Army during World War II. Development began in 1937 with the prototype completed in 1938. Although it initially did not meet all military requirements, the addition of auxiliary fuel tanks extended its range to over 2000 km. In April 1941, the test model Ki-43 was officially adopted as the Type I Fighter. The initial version, known as Type I, was equipped with a Ha-25 engine and armed with two 7.7 mm machine guns. This armament was later enhanced to one 7.7 mm machine gun and one 12.7 mm cannon. The Type II saw a transition to a Ha-115 engine and a change from two-bladed to three-bladed propellers. The final production model, Type III, included a water-ethanol injection system with a Ha-115-II engine for improved performance. The Hayabusa was tasked as the main fighter for the Army at the start of WWII and excelled in performance and agility, leading to numerous engagements with Allied pilots.

About the Model

This model replicates the WWII Japanese Army's main fighter aircraft, the Hayabusa, at a 1/144 scale, specifically modeling the early Type I variant. Detailed panel lines and accurate shape provide a realistic representation, showcasing the agility of the Hayabusa in flight. The kit includes well-rendered auxiliary fuel tanks for the lower wings. Four marking options are available, including the 64th Flight Regiment and the Akino Army Flight School, all featuring natural metal finishes. Decals offer anti-glare paint for the nose, gray-green for control surfaces, and canopy frames for easy finishing after painting the parts in silver. The kit, produced by Platz, comes with parts for two models and is designed for simplicity and ease of assembly. With minimized parts count, this compact kit promises enjoyable completion and display.

Specification Info

- Scale: 1/144

- Size: Length approximately 62 mm

- 1/144 scale model kit recreating the primary WWII Japanese Army fighter aircraft, the Hayabusa Type I.

- Includes parts to assemble two aircraft models.

- Finished model length is approximately 62 mm.

- Features decals for four marking options, including the 64th Flight Regiment. Selects the rare full bare-metal silver color scheme for the Type I Hayabusa.

- High-quality Cartograf decals include anti-glare paint, canopy frames, and gray-green surfaces on control surfaces.