1:72 KI-84 Hayate

Clear Ki-84 Hayate canopy in 1:72 scale

The Nakajima Ki-84 fighter was given a roomy cockpit with a good view to the rear, and on a model this only stands out when the glazing is truly clear. The clear canopy on offer in 1:72 scale is used in place of the part supplied in the kit.

The Hayate in combat

The Allies knew the aircraft under the code name Frank and considered it the most dangerous Japanese opponent of the late war. The Ki-84 fought over the Philippines, over China and in the defense of the Japanese home islands against B-29 bomber raids, and as one of the few Japanese types it could meet American fighters in a straight contest. Production aircraft, however, suffered from poor components and weak fuel, so the performance of individual machines varied widely.

Advice on finishing

The small scale forgives errors in the outline less readily than 1:48, so check the shape against the fuselage several times before you sand right down to the line. Inside the cockpit it is enough to suggest the interior with a base shade and dark accents in the corners. Leave the finished glazing covered with a mask until the model is completely painted and has its decals on.

Suitable uses

• Building a late-war Japanese fighter in 1:72
• Replacing an opaque or deformed part
• Models of aircraft from the defense of the Japanese home islands
• Letting light into the cockpit of a small model

The package consists of the cockpit glazing on its own; it does not contain the Ki-84 kit or paints.