Oxford Diecast Oxford Aviation AC077 Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien/Tony Diecast Model IJAAF 244th Sentai, Chofu, Japan, 1944 1:72 Scale Length WidthKawasaki Ki-61 Hien/Tony 4.75″ 6.5″ The 244th Regiment Fighter Group was one of the units attached to the 10th Hiko Shidan (Air Division) which formed a Ki-61 Special Attack Unit and organised ramming attack flight against the enemy, notably US B-29s, at high altitude. Stripped of their heavy armaments enabled them to attain the necessary ceiling and locate the enemy. It is not surprising that few Japanese pilots survived these “kamikaze” raids, which were relentless. Chofu Airport is located just north of Tokyo and from 1941 when opened it was used exclusively by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service and it hosted the Kawasaki Ki-61 Hen fighters used for air defence against the Boeing B-29 Superfortress bombing raids by the USAAF. Our 1:72 scale model is a replica of one of the Ki-61s from this era, as flown by the 244th Regiment based at Chofu. It is decorated in the signature red and green Japanese Air Force markings with silver underside and bearing a white combat stripe round the rear fuselage and wings incorporating the red disc. On the underside, the number 16 is printed on each side of the front fuselage and a tiny detail sees the Flying Swallow printed in white on each side of the tail fin. Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien/Tony Designed in response to an Imperial Army tender for a general-purpose, air superiority fighter, the Kawasaki Ki-61 first flew in December of 1941. This new fighter entered combat in New Guinea during the spring of 1943, where its unusual appearance earned it the code name “Tony” (Allieds mistakenly identified its origins as Italian). The new aircraft quickly earned the respect of Allied pilots, whose P-40 Warhawks were unable to dive to safety as they could when facing earlier Japanese fighters. Ki-61s were later used in ramming attacks, and several Ki-61 pilots in these “special attack units” earned the Japanese Bukosho for ramming B-29s and surviving. Copyright 2003-2023 The Flying Mule, Inc. Oxford Diecast Oxford Aviation The Oxford Diecast “Oxford Aviation” range presents affordable, ready made diecast models of military aircraft. Oxford Diecast “Oxford Aviation” diecast airplanes feature: Diecast metal and plastic construction. Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details. Permanently retracted landing gear. Presentation stand to display the aircraft “in flight”. Fixed, non-spinning plastic propellers. No pilot figures. Copyright 2003-2023 The Flying Mule, Inc.