Tamiya 1/48 Ki-84 Hayate/Frank

[stikpusher]

Another of my older builds. I upgraded the cockpit with a lot of PE, as the old kit had a rather spartan set up in there. Decals are from a SuperScale set, and paints used are Aeromaster, Tamiya, and Polly Scale. 

[keavdog]

Great job stik. I've got that kit in the stash. What is the story on the underside control surfaces? Fabric done in IJN gray/green?

[Joe Rix]

That is really sharp looking. You did a sweet job on it. I'm a big fan of the Frank. Just a sleek looking aircraft. I've got this kit in my stash as well as the Hasegawa kit. But, then Arma Hobby came out with their 1/72 Ki-84 which is mind blowing. As such, that has moved to the top of the Frank build list. Thanks for sharing stik.

[deafpanzer]

Excellent weathering especially the weary paint on the wings where foot traffic were!!!

[stikpusher]

Thanks guys!

John, some time ago when I was researching IJAAF builds, I learned that the fabric control surfaces often came from the sub contractor in the camouflage dope colors. If you have any of Hasegawa's Japanese aircraft kits, they will often show that in the painting instructions, even on the BMF aircraft. I used the Army gray green here.

Joe, I like the Frank as well. I have another older kit to do in 1/32 in my stash, if I ever feel like tacking that beast.

Andy, I was aiming for a well used but maintained look on this aircraft. IIRC, this one was the mount of a well scoring leader and ace, so his would likely have received a bit more attention and care along the way.

[TJ]

Nicely done Carlos. These old Tamiya kits are still really nice just not as detailed as you said

[406 Silverado]

Man....these Japanese builds seem to be coming out of the woodwork these days and this is yet another great example of good representation and good modeling. I am surprised that even though it's an older Tamiya kit that it didn't have at least some detail in the cockpit. Usually, there's no shortage of details in Tamiya boxings.

[stikpusher]

Jun 15, 2023 5:00:11 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

Man....these Japanese builds seem to be coming out of the woodwork these days and this is yet another great example of good representation and good modeling. I am surprised that even though it's an older Tamiya kit that it didn't have at least some detail in the cockpit. Usually, there's no shortage of details in Tamiya boxings.

Thanks Joe. Their early 1/48 kits like this one were pretty spartan on interior details. It did come with a seat, stick, and decal IP, along with a seated pilot figure, but that was it. If you leave the pilot out, the emptiness is quite apparent. Their late 70’s/early 80’s aircraft kits are when they stepped up their game.