A Swallow over New Guinea - Finished

[stevehnz]

Looking very smart in a scruffy sort of way.  

Steve.

[Andwil]

Last couple of bits done, prop attached and an aerial wire added and its done:

 

 

More photos to follow in the gallery.

 

Now I thought I’d have a bit of fun.  Apparently allied pilots encountering the Ki-61 often reported that the Japanese were flying Bf-109s and allegedly one of the reasons for it being given the reporting name “Tony” is that it looked Italian and all Italians were named Tony!  So I thought I’d do a comparison with the other Axis fighters powered by the DB inverted  vee engine:

 

Bf-109F and Ki-61

 

 

MC 202 Folgore and Ki-61

 

 

All three together

 

 

 

While there is a superficial resemblance, what really strikes me, and surprises me, is that the Ki-61 is somewhat larger all round and that the MC 202 is positively tiny.

 

Thanks for looking.

 

AW

[PeterB]

Hi AW,

 

The original Ki-60 "heavy fighter" was smaller - more 109 sized I believe but the wingspan was increased by 5ft to give a lower wing loading and more manoeuvrability in keeping with the Japanese tradition! The fuselage was lengthened by 1ft at the same time.

 

Pete 

Edited June 19, 2022 by PeterB

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

Excellent work on this AW, love the Ki.61. 

[trickyrich]

Gee she did turn out really nice, well done. 

 

The 3 of them together looks really great and intersecting to compare as well.

 

Hope you enjoyed the build, was great to have you along.