CMK Ki-84 Hayate Upgrades (7503 & 7504 for Arma Hobby) 1:72

[Mike]

Ki-84 Hayate Upgrades (7503 & 7504 for Arma Hobby)

1:72 CMK by Special Hobby

 

 

Arma Hobby released their newly tooled kit of this WWII Japanese fighter this year, and we reviewed the Expert Set here.  CMK have now released a number of upgrade sets to upgrade the detail even further for those interested in improving the realism of their models.  These sets arrive in the usual yellow themed blister pack with card hanger on the rear and the instructions sandwiched between the two parts.  Inside are the resin parts, with any Photo-Etch (PE) parts safely separated behind a piece of clear acetate at the back of the blister.

 

 

Cockpit (7503)

This set includes seventeen resin parts, a small fret of PE, and slip of clear acetate that is printed with the dials for the instrument panel.  Before beginning, you should remove the detail from the sidewalls that are moulded into the fuselage interior, then create the instrument panel on its support, adding the film and the PE panel to the front of the resin support, which has the breeches of the twin nose-mounted machine guns cast in.  The fuselage insert is detailed by adding sills from PE, plus a PE winder for the canopy and another resin part.  The cockpit itself is based upon the new resin floor, with the rear bulkhead added to the back, the seat with PE belts attached to the mounting rails, various levers, rudder pedals and the control column glued in place along with the two resin sidewalls and the instrument panel sub-assembly to complete the tub, which is then inserted into the fuselage instead of the kit parts.

 

 

 

Control Surfaces (7504)

This set has seven resin control surfaces to replace those from the kit, removing the rudder from both sides of the fuselage, the ailerons from the wings, and replacing the kit elevator parts.  The resin upgrades should then be a drop-in replacement for all those that they supplant, adding detail and the ability to deflect them as you see fit.  Each one is attached to its casting block along the hinge-line, which is sensible to hide any imperfections you may leave during liberation of them from the block with a razor saw or sharp blade.

 

 

 

 

Review sample courtesy of