Tamiya 12683 - 1:72 Ki-61-Id Hien Tony camouflage decal

Tamiya camouflage decals for the Kawasaki Ki-61-Id Hien Tony model (Tamiya 60789) in 1:72

The mottled camouflage of Japanese fighters looks superb, but in 1:72 it is a genuine test of nerve: the irregular blotches have to be sprayed from very close range at minimal pressure, with the constant risk that one bad patch ruins the whole surface. Tamiya 12683 offers a different route — ready-made waterslide decals with the camouflage pattern printed on them.

The set contains five decals: one each for the left and right fuselage sides, one each for the left and right upper wings, and one for the antenna mast. It is prepared for the Tamiya 60789 kit (Kawasaki Ki-61-Id Hien Tony) in 1:72, which is sold separately.

What's in the box:

• Camouflage decal for the left fuselage side
• Camouflage decal for the right fuselage side
• Camouflage decal for the left upper wing
• Camouflage decal for the right upper wing
• Camouflage decal for the antenna mast

Specifications:

• Scale: 1:72
• Product number: 12683
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Designed for: Kawasaki Ki-61-Id Hien Tony by Tamiya (60789) — sold separately
• Type: waterslide decals reproducing mottled camouflage
• Contents: 5 decals

Camouflage decals — irregular mottling without an airbrush

Camouflage decals are waterslide decals printed with a ready-made disruptive pattern. Instead of reproducing the irregular blotches in paint, you apply them like any other decal onto the painted surface of the model. This is particularly helpful for modellers who have little experience spraying fine, soft-edged mottling, and for anyone working in small scales where the margin for error is slim.

Decals of this type settle best on a smooth, glossy surface, so it is good practice to prepare the area with gloss clear and let it cure fully. Because the decals cover large curved areas — the fuselage sides and upper wings — a decal softener (for example Mark Fit) helps them conform to the contours and panel lines. Once dry, a final top coat unifies the finish so the camouflage blends into the surface of the model.

About the aircraft – Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien (Tony):

The Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien, known to the Allies by the code name Tony, was a Japanese fighter of the Second World War. It stood apart from other Japanese designs thanks to its liquid-cooled inline engine — an unusual choice in a country whose air arms relied mainly on radial engines at the time.

The result was a slim, aerodynamic fuselage with a silhouette quite unlike the barrel-shaped radial-engined fighters. The resemblance to European aircraft was pronounced enough that the Ki-61 was sometimes mistaken for German and Italian fighters — which is precisely where the Allied code name Tony came from, as it was assigned to aircraft believed to be of Italian origin.

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 in Shizuoka and one of the best-known scale model manufacturers in the world. The brand is recognised for precisely engineered moulds, clear instructions and well-thought-out assembly. Alongside kits, Tamiya develops a support range of paints, modelling chemistry, tools and accessories, including decal sheets prepared for specific kits from its own catalogue.