1/144 Shoki & Raiden #2

Description

This is an injection-plastic aircraft model kit.

This is a “2 in 1” kit, containing 1 kit each of a J2M3 Raiden and Ki-44II Shoki. Fujimi’s 1/144 kits are little gems, balancing simple construction with an attention to detail. The Raiden features a simple cockpit tub, with a decal for the instrument panel, a crisp, clear canopy, beautifully done recessed panel lines, sharply molded cooling fan detail inside the cowl with a wonderfully molded propeller and optional raised or lowered landing gear. The Shoki likewise has a beautifully-done propeller (even the starter boss is molded in), engine front detail, fine recessed panel lines, a basic cockpit tub with a decal instrument panel, a nice clear canopy and optional lowered or retracted landing gear. Drop tanks are included with both kits. These kits are every bit as good as Sweet’s kits, only with a tiny cockpit!

The markings in this set are, for the Shoki, either of two attractive silver aircraft with mottled green camoflage, one assigned to Captain Wakamatsu of the 2nd Chutai while the other has a large blue flying arrow design on the rudder. The decals are crisp and sharp and also include the instrument panel and propeller markings. The decals for the Raiden include Lt. Aoki’s aircraft of the 352nd Naval Wing as well as an aircraft coded “Tai-101”. Both feature large lightning bolts on the fuselage sides, and as in the Shoki kit, the instrument panel and propeller markings are also supplied as decals, simplifying things considerably.