Sword 72158 - 1:72 Ki-44 I/II Shoki Tojo

Plastic model kit of the Japanese Nakajima Ki-44 Shoki (Tojo) fighter in 1:72 scale

Sword 72158 is a self-assembly model of the Japanese Nakajima Ki-44 Shoki fighter in 1:72 scale, in the I/II versions. It is a short-run kit from the Czech manufacturer, in which the injection-moulded parts are supplemented with resin elements (engine, seat).

What's in the box:

• Injection-moulded plastic parts (including a clear sprue)
• Resin parts (including the engine and seat)
• Waterslide decal sheet for several marking options
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:72
• Product code: 72158
• Manufacturer: Sword
• Assembled model length: approx. 122 mm, wingspan: approx. 131 mm
• Difficulty: intermediate (short-run kit, resin parts)

Note: the set does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Assembly:

As a short-run kit, the model calls for dry-fitting and gentle clean-up of parts before gluing. The injection-moulded parts are joined with plastic cement, while the resin engine and seat are attached with cyanoacrylate glue. It is worth painting the cockpit interior before closing the fuselage halves.

For painting, the recommended colours are those typical of Japanese Army aircraft – dark green upper surfaces with natural metal or grey-green undersides, depending on the chosen option. Aircraft are usually given a satin finish, with details emphasised by a wash. The instructions provide painting schemes.

Required tools:

• Modelling nippers for removing parts from the sprues
• Modelling knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper for smoothing and fitting parts
• Plastic cement (for the injection-moulded parts)
• Cyanoacrylate glue (for the resin parts)
• Precise modelling tweezers
• Primer
• Brushes of various sizes and modelling paints
• Modelling wash to emphasise details

About the aircraft – Nakajima Ki-44 Shoki (Tojo):

The Nakajima Ki-44 Shoki is a Japanese single-seat Army interceptor (Allied code name "Tojo"). Unlike the agile but lightly armed Ki-43, the Ki-44 design emphasised high speed and an excellent rate of climb at the expense of manoeuvrability. The aircraft had relatively small wings and a high wing loading, which meant a higher landing speed and poorer ground visibility, but gave it an advantage in vertical combat.

The Ki-44 entered service in 1942. Its heavy armament proved useful in the defence of the Japanese home islands, particularly against the Boeing B-29 Superfortress heavy bombers. The Ki-44-I was powered by the Nakajima Ha-41 engine, while the later, more numerous Ki-44-II received the more powerful Ha-109 engine, additional armour and heavier armament (some examples even mounting 40 mm cannon for use against bombers).

Specifications (Nakajima Ki-44-II):

• Length: approx. 8.8 m
• Wingspan: approx. 9.45 m
• Height: approx. 3.25 m
• Take-off weight: approx. 3,000 kg
• Crew: 1
• Powerplant: Nakajima Ha-109 radial engine, approx. 1,520 hp (Mk II; Mk I – Ha-41, approx. 1,250 hp)
• Maximum speed: approx. 605 km/h (Mk II)
• Service ceiling: approx. 11,200 m
• Range: approx. 1,700 km
• Armament: four 12.7 mm Ho-103 machine guns (some Mk II examples with 40 mm cannon)

About the manufacturer – Sword:

Sword is a Czech manufacturer of plastic models known for short-run kits in 1:72 and 1:48 scale. The brand specialises in aircraft of the Second World War and the early jet era, often less common among the large manufacturers. Sword kits typically contain injection-moulded parts supplemented with resin details (e.g. cockpit interior, engine), and in newer releases also painting masks. Short-run kits usually call for more experience – dry-fitting and clean-up of parts – in return giving access to rarely seen subjects.