The Nakajima Ki-84 Hayate (Allied code name Frank) didn’t enter service until late 1944. Armor plating protected the pilot, and self-sealing fuel tanks combined with excellent maneuverability, high speed, and good armament make for a formidable fighter. Unfortunately, production problems and the lack of experienced pilots prevented it from showing its full potential.
The Ki-84 has not been particularly well represented in 1/72 scale models. This new release from Arma Hobby is sure to eclipse all others in terms of fit and detail. Included in the end-opening box is a single sprue molded in gray containing all the major parts, a clear sprue for the canopy, a small fret of photo-etched metal (PE) parts, a sheet of die-cut masks for the canopy and wheels, and decals for six marking options. The molded parts feature crisp, recessed panel lines and rivet detail and absolutely no sign of flash, sink marks, or ejector-pin marks in visible areas.
In the cockpit, the control stick and another lever mount up from underneath rather than the usual pin-in-hole method. Instructions show that the rear seat frame needs to be bent slightly when mounting to the floor. But the locating points are clearly defined, and the fit is perfect. Decals are provided for the instrument panels and settled over the raised details with an application of Microscale Micro Sol. There are a couple of fragile PE control levers for the side panels, so use care when handling them.
The engine is nicely molded in five parts. A PE wire loom looks great but is nearly impossible to see beneath the cowling.
Mating the fuselage halves revealed a near-perfect fit. I glued the fuselage together and then slid the cockpit up from the bottom, where it fit neatly in place. I left the tail wheel off until final assembly.
The upper and lower wings are each molded as a single piece, with the upper wing incorporating excellent wheel-well detail. Mounting the main wing to the fuselage is tight, but it fit perfectly with no filler required. Check which version you plan to build as the oil cooler under the chin is different for certain markings. You also get to pick whether you want an open or closed canopy. I picked the open canopy to display the interior detail.
For a slightly weathered appearance, I painted the airframe Tamiya Silver (No. LP-11). After painting the underside gray, I masked and painted the upper surfaces with Tamiya Olive Green (No. XF-58). The marking option I chose also required the white bands around the national insignia and yellow bands on the fuselage to be masked and painted. Once fully dry, I lightly sanded with an 8000-grit polishing cloth until hints of the silver started to show in spots.
Decals came next, and they went on without issue, settling into details with the help of more Micro Sol. The supplied canopy masks fit well, but the die-cut didn’t completely cut through in a couple of spots and required a trim with a sharp blade.
I am most impressed with the quality of this kit! With top-notch detail and fit, plus including six marking options, I’ll definitely check out more products from Arma Hobby. I can’t wait to see what the company makes next. Very highly recommended!