WW2 ModellerBuild history. Share passion. Remember.
f◎▶
Imperial Japanese Army Air Force · Inline-Engined Fighter · New Guinea · Philippines · Home Defence

Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien / Tony

Ki-61-I Ko / Otsu / Hei / Tei · IJAAF Sentai · 1942–1945
IJN / IJAAF route with Kokutai, Sentai and Pacific theatre context

The Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien, known to the Allies as “Tony”, was unusual among Japanese fighters because of its liquid-cooled inline engine and slim, almost European profile. It fought from New Guinea to the Philippines and later in homeland defence against B-29 raids. For modellers it means long-nosed inline-engine shape, radiator intake, Sentai markings, natural metal or green/brown field camouflage, Home Defence bands, heavy tropical fading, chipped paint, exhaust staining and late-war repair wear.

1
Pilot
Ha-40
Inline engine
Tony
Allied code
IJAAF
Army fighter

What paints do I need?

Generate a practical starter paint list for this Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien / Tony build, with common brand equivalents.

Scheme basis: IJN / IJAAF. Treat these as modelling equivalents rather than laboratory-perfect matches; always check your chosen aircraft, theatre and date.
ColourUseTamiyaVallejoAKMr Hobby
IJN Grey / Ame-iroEarly Zero and IJN undersidesXF-7671.311AK RC303H61/H336 mix
IJN Green / IJAAF GreenUpper camouflage green by serviceXF-11 / XF-1371.322 / 71.285AK RC330 / RC332H59 / H60
Nakajima / Mitsubishi interior greenCockpit, gear bays by makerXF-71 / XF-5 mix71.010 / 71.126AK RC334H58/H312
Aotake translucent blue-greenInterior metallic protective finish where visibleX-13 over aluminiumMetallic Blue Green mixAK RC316 style mixH63 clear mix
Prop brown / blackProps, tyres and anti-glare panelsXF-10 / XF-6971.041 / 71.057AK RC035 / RC022H17 / H12
AluminiumChipping, exposed metal and landing gearLP-1177.701AK Xtreme Metal AluminiumSM201
Exhaust/rubber/weatheringHeat staining, tyres, salt fading and oil dirtXF-1/XF-64/XF-85Black/Brown/RubberAK weathering coloursH12/H47

Ki-61 operations · 1942–1945

The Ki-61 Hien was the IJAAF’s distinctive inline-engined fighter. Its German-influenced powerplant and slim fuselage made it look unlike other Japanese fighters, and it served in harsh campaigns including New Guinea, the Philippines and homeland defence. A good Ki-61 model starts with the Sentai and theatre: natural metal early aircraft, mottled New Guinea fighters, dark green late-war machines, B-29 interceptor routes or survivor/reference subjects.

1Pilot
Ha-40Inline
Ki-61-ICore route
IJAAFSentai fighter
Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien real reference
Real Ki-61 photo route: check Ko/Otsu/Hei/Tei fit, nose guns, radiator, Sentai markings, spinner, camouflage, Hinomaru and weathering before paint.

Role & strengths

  • Imperial Japanese Army Air Force inline-engined fighter and interceptor
  • New Guinea, Philippines, China, Okinawa, Home Defence and B-29 interception routes
  • Long nose, ventral radiator, narrow fuselage, wing guns and Sentai tail markings
  • Natural metal, green mottle, brown/green field camouflage and late dark green over grey
  • Tropical fading, chipped paint, exhaust staining, radiator grime, dust and repair panels

Key theatres

  • New Guinea heavy-weathering route
  • Philippines and late-war IJAAF operations
  • Home Defence / B-29 interception routes
  • Survivor and restored-reference route

Specification Ki-61-I

Crew1Length28 ft 11 inWingspan39 ft 4 inMax speedc.368 mphPowerplant1× Kawasaki Ha-40 inline engineArmamentMachine guns, 20 mm cannon on later fits, bombs or drop tanks by variant

Survivor/reference today

Ki-61 Hien survivor/reference image

Ki-61 references use survivors, restorations and period photos. Use them for shape, radiator, cockpit and landing gear, but verify wartime paint and Sentai markings separately.

View references

Timeline highlights

Build this Ki-61 as…

Pick Sentai, theatre and finish first. New Guinea, Philippines, Home Defence, natural metal and restored-reference routes all need different paint and weathering logic.

Aircraft identity

●Hinomaru
IJAAFArmy
61Hien
RADRadiator
STSentai
B29Interceptor
Variant warning

Ki-61 Ko, Otsu, Hei and Tei armament/detail fits vary. Check nose guns, cannon, radiator, exhaust and tail markings before committing.

Paint warning

Ki-61 finishes vary heavily by theatre. Natural metal, mottled field paint and late dark green should not share the same weathering recipe.

Paint scheme cards

Early/refNatural metal / Sentai markings

Natural metal route with panel variation, red Hinomaru and strong tail markings.

TheatreGreen mottle / field camouflage

New Guinea/Philippines route with field-applied paint and high surface variation.

LateDark green over grey

Late Home Defence route with worn dark green, exhaust and radiator grime.

CombatDust, chipping and radiator grime

Weather radiator, wing roots, cowling, exhausts, tyres and access panels logically.

Campaign cards

New Guinea

Hard tropical route with mottle, dust, fading, chipping and rough field maintenance.

Philippines

Late combat route with dark green finish, replacement panels and Sentai identity.

Home Defence

B-29 interception route with homeland markings and late-war wear.

Survivor/reference

Restored route for shape and detail checks, with paint accuracy caution.

Build difficulty and related guides

Overall difficulty

Medium-high. Inline-engine shape, radiator, finish and markings need careful planning.

Variant difficulty

High. Ko/Otsu/Hei/Tei armament and detail differences matter.

Weathering difficulty

High. Mottle, field paint and natural metal routes can look excellent or quickly overdone.

Paint codesIJAAF natural metal, dark green, mottle, Hinomaru and Sentai markingsTechniqueJapanese mottle, inline-engine exhaust, radiator grime and field chippingArticleKi-61 Hien kits, Sentai markings and weathering guide

Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien Sentai and IJAAF units

Sortable Ki-61 cards covering New Guinea, Philippines, Home Defence, B-29 interception, natural metal and survivor/reference routes.

Route:Sort:

Ki-61 Hien operating map

Variant selector

Airfield info

Click a marker to show linked Ki-61 unit cards and modelling notes.

Campaign timeline

Survivors

Books and reference sources

Ki-61 Hien build guide

Kit choice wizard

Ki-61 Hien videos, photos and archive material

Media replaces the old separate walkaround tab: cockpit, exhaust, undercarriage, markings, survivor references, archive imagery and video cards are grouped here.