Nakajima Ki-43-II Hayabusa (Oscar)
59 Sentai, New Guinea 1943

This is an older model originally released in the 1980's with new decals provided in later re-issues. Unlike other Hasegawa kits from that time period, this kit has raised panel lines which was a disappointment. However the fit was great with almost no filler used and the decals were excellent. The model is painted with Testors and Aeromaster paints. This model represents the personal mount of the ace Sgt Major Tomio Hirohata of the 59th Sentai who had 14 kills before being killed in action on April 22, 1945 attempting to bale out of a Ki-61 over Okinawa. His aircraft had a distinct black 'Bird of Prey' marking on the fuselage.