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 Striking Sonias

Mitsubishi
Ki-51 "Sonia"
 

1/48 scale

 

Arawasi/Hobic Decals

 

S u m m a r y
Catalogue Number and Description: Arawasi Decals AR 48004 - Mitsubishi Ki-51 Sonia
Scale: 1/48 (also available in 1/72)
Contents and Media: Decals and instructions
Price: USD$7.00 plus USD$1.00 postage from Arawasi Decals in Japan
Review Type: FirstLook
Advantages: Perfect register; thin carrier film; excellent colour instruction sheet
Disadvantages: Ultra thin requires careful handling
Recommendation: Recommended


Reviewed by Mick Evans


HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Squadron.com

 

FirstLook

 

 

This decal sheet by Arawasi Decals is a fine quality decal sheet depicting three Ki-51 Sonia aircraft of the Imperial Japanese Air Force.  The decals are designed for the 1/48 scale Nichimo kit. 

 

The sheet has been released to coincide with the Jan-Mar 2008 issue of the Arawasi magazine which contains an excellent article on the Sonia.

 

 

 

 

The decals are superbly printed with good register.  These decals have carrier film that is ultra thin and will have to be handled carefully and should snuggle down into the surface detail well.  The carrier film then will almost totally disappear under a coat of clear.  The colour saturation on the ultra thin decals requires a set of white underlay decals to be applied first to prevent a see through effect on the colour decals.

 

The instructions also give some good detail colours and weathering for some of the aircraft.

 

The ten schemes provided are as follows:

 

  1. 45th Dokuritsu Hikochutai (Independent Flying Company) Philippines late 1944.  The aircraft is finished in overall green/grey with green mottling on the upper surfaces.

  2. 52nd Dokuritsu Hikochutai Philippines late 1943.  The aircraft is finished in green/grey under surfaces with dark green upper surfaces.

  3. 73rd Dokuritsu Hikochutai Java 1942.  The aircraft is finished in overall grey/green with a lightening stripe on the tail.

  4. 90th Dokuritsu Hikochutai China 1943.  The aircraft is finished in overall grey/green.

  5. 206th Kyodo Hikosentai Manchura 1941.  The aircraft is finished in overall grey/green.

  6. 104th Kyoiku Hikorentai, Yokaichi Shiga Prefecture Japan 1943.  The aircraft is finished in overall grey/green.

  7. 107th Kyoiku Hikorentai Japan 1941-42.  The aircraft is finished in overall grey/green.

  8. 28th Hikosentai Manchuria 1940-41.  The aircraft is finished in overall grey/green

  9. 6th Hikosentai China 1944.  The aircraft is finished in overall grey/green.

  10. Hokota Hiko Gakko (flying School), Ibaraki Prefecture Japan 1942.  The aircraft is finished in overall grey/green

 

 

 

 

Arawasi Decals are available from the Arawasi website www.arawasi.jp

 

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Arawasi Decals for the review samples

Arawasi Decals are available online from their website

Review Copyright © 2008 by Mick Evans
Page Created 1 April, 2008
Last updated 1 April, 2008

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