Scale: 1/72 | Models used: Tamiya – Kawasaki Ki-61-Ib Hien (kit nr. 60789), Hasegawa – Starter Truck (31117), Fuel Truck Isuzu (31116), Pilot Figure Set (35008 )

A Ki-61 Hien is getting prepared to take off Chofu Airbase for another mission to hunt for enemy heavy bombers. The starter truck approaches to help start the engine and extra fuel has arrived at the scene. A pilot eagerly awaits the moment he can defend the skies of his homeland again.

The plane belongs to Shunzo Takashima of the 244th Air Group.

Imperial Japanese Army Air Force Captain Teruhiko Kobayashi of the 244th Sentai along with ground crew and other pilots stand in front of his Kawasaki Ki-61-I Tei “Hien”, Chofu Airbase, February 1945.

Tamiya has a very high standard in the modeling scene. This Ki-61-1b kit proves that reputation. Nice parts, pleasant to build and plenty of detail. The scheme that the Japanese used is also interesting. I’ve tried to replicate this by starting with a shiny aluminium finish, combined with the thinly painted green lines. A red tail was painted by starting with a lighter sand tone and then applying the red colour.

The kits from Hasegawa are classics. Perhaps you can find them online with private sellers. They build up pretty quickly and result into nice additions to the diorama. What airfield can function without a starter vehicle and fuel truck am I right? The little cart for the fuel barrels and the figures came with the Hasegawa kits.

This base is made out of a pre-made wooden block. The airfield plates are made from cardboard sheets which were painted in different tones of grey. A little bit of static grass was applied to the side. The diorama title was designed with Adobe Photoshop and then printed with a home printer. In my opinion, one of the best airfield dioramas that I’ve completed.

I’ve sold this diorama in 2026.