1:32 Ki-61-I Hien

A sliding canopy on rails

The Kawasaki Ki-61 was the only Japanese production fighter with a liquid-cooled V12 engine, and because of its slender fuselage the Allies at first took it for a German design. Hence the code name Tony. The cockpit of the early series I has a canopy that slid back along guide rails, and behind it the tall fuselage decking continues with glazing of its own. The pilot therefore saw to the rear only through a narrow sector.

What sliding means for masking

The sliding section has no surround frame around its perimeter the way side-hinged canopies do, but it does have guide rails along the sides that run a long way back. The frames are therefore narrower and the precision of the cut counts for more than on more heavily framed machines. The set carries a layer of parts for the outer and the inner face, which you will genuinely use with an exposed guide rail and an open canopy.

• A cut for the sliding canopy of a Japanese fighter in 1:32
• A double layer of parts, outside and inside
• Three stencils for spraying the Japanese insignia
• A thin paper carrier holds narrow frames without bleeding
• Includes the glazing behind the pilot's seat as well

Before spraying it is a good idea to check that the part sits in its groove without pressure; a molding forced into place is not something a mask can save. Apply the paint in several thin passes and lift the film while the layer is still flexible. The aircraft model is obtained separately. Anyone building the later machines with the cut-down fuselage decking should compare the outline of the rear glazing in advance, as there is a noticeable difference between the early and the late cockpit of this type.