Reviewed by Rodger Kelly
 

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Lifelike Decals is a relatively new company out of Japan.  To date they have released only two other sheets, both reviewed last year on HyperScale - 48-001 concentrating on markings for the FW 190 and 48-002 for the Me 109 (part 1).

If ever there was a well known Japanese fighter squadron then the 244^th Sentai would have to be it.  Just about every model company that has ever released a model of the Ki-61 (Tony) has included markings for a Ki-61 aircraft in the decal options, invariably for an aircraft of the 244^th’s commander, Teruhiko Kobayashi. 

Nine months of comprehensive research has gone into the production of these sheets, so much so that it has taken three sheets to cover the 24 aircraft chosen as representative of the Sentai. 

The research findings and the end product have the full support of Mr Takashi Sakurai, organiser of the 244^th Sentai Association.  Mr Sakurai has published a limited run book on the 244^th Sentai and he also runs a 244^th Sentai website http://www5b.biglobe.ne.jp/~s244f/ (unfortunately, this page is all in Japanese language but this small hurdle is something that fans of Japanese WWII aviation are used to! 

The markings and descriptions of the aircraft depicted on the decal sheets are based on photos as well as the Sentai’s records.  Many of the photographs are shown on the website. A bonus is that some of the aircraft have not seen before in decal form and that some of the long held misconceptions with regard to the markings of Kobayashi’s different aircraft have been dispelled. 

Each of the sheets contains markings for eight aircraft.  The placement guide is in full-colour and it shows left hand side profiles of each aircraft.  The rear of the placement guide shows the various details peculiar to each aircraft as well as general notes on the aircraft and the Sentai.  The notes include: 

• The colour of the various Chutai/Shotai’s fuselage bands.

• Cockpit and interior colours.

• The colour of the drop tanks.

• The use of the colour red on Kobayashi’s tail.

• Propeller and anti-glare colours.

• Notes on stencil data.

As well as the placement sheet there are two other A-4 sized sheets included with each decal.  These sheets contain comprehensive notes on each of the aircraft - and I mean comprehensive!

The decals themselves have been printed by Propagteam.  My previous experiences with Propagteam decals have all been positive.  The decals are very thin and settle down beautifully and truly do look as if they have been painted on.  A down side of the thinness is that they are reasonably fragile.  The best way I have found in dealing with them is to use plenty of water to float it there to where you want it and not to use any aftermarket decal solutions until the decal is exactly where you want it be.  I don’t see this as a disadvantage just a consideration in the application process. 

Each of the sheets supply enough stencil data for one Ki-61 only with nothing for the Ki-27s or Ki-100 (although you could use some of the Ki-61 stencils for the Ki-100).

48-003 and 48-005 supply one set of Hinomarus whilst 48-004 supplies two sets. 

The recommended kits are the Aari/Otaki Ki-61 (Otsu and Hei), the Hasegawa Ki-61 (Tei).  No mention is made of which kit to use for the Ki-27 or the Ki-100 but I’d go with the Hasegawa kits. 

These three sheets are very well done.  The research that has gone into them is extensive and logical conclusions have been drawn before the decals were printed or the artwork completed.  Where there is a question on which colour was used the subject marking has been supplied in both colours.  Obviously, these three sheets are the product of an enthusiast who has gone to great lengths to get it right. 

Thoroughly Recommended!

The contents of each sheet are as follows:

48-003 

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

The aircraft depicted on the first of the sheets are: 

• Ki-61 Hien type 1-Hei 3295.  Flown by Teruhiko Kobayashi from Chofu AB in January 1945.

• Ki-61 Hien type 1-Tei 4424.  Also flown by Teruhiko Kobayashi from Chofu AB in March 1945.

• Ki-61 Hien type 1-Tei 4424.  Flown by 2^nd Lt Shunzo Takashima of the 159^th Shinbu-tai from Chofu AB in early May 1945.

• Ki-61 Hien type 1-Hei 43.  Ki-61 Hien type 1-Hei. Flown by an unknown pilot from Chofu AB in March or September 1945.

• Ki-61 Hien type 1-Hei.  Probably flown by Corporal Seiichi Suzuki from Chofu AB in February 1945.

• Ki-61 Hien type 1-Tei 57.  Flown by 2^nd LT Tohru Shinomiya from Chofu AB in December 1944.

• Ki-61 Hien type 1-Tei 57.  Flown by an unknown pilot from Chofu AB in March 1945.

• Ki-61 Hien type 1- Otsu 45.  Flown by Corporal Kiyoshi Ando at Narimasu AB in January 1945.

48-004

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

The aircraft depicted on the second of the sheet are: 

• Ki-27 Type 97 fighter type-Otsu of the 2^nd Chutai flown from Chofu AB in Autumn of 1942

• Ki-61 Hien type 1- Tei 4424.  Flown by Captain Teruhiko Kobayashi from Chofu AB in February 1945.

• Ki-61 Hien type 1- Tei 5262.  Reserve aircraft of by Captain Teruhiko Kobayashi. Chofu AB middle of April 1945.

• Ki-61 Hien type 1- Hei 15 flown by Corporal Seiichi Suzuki from Chofu AB in January 1945.

• Ki-27 Type 97 fighter type-Otsu of the 3rd Chutai flown from Chofu AB in Autumn of 1943

• Ki-61 Hien type 1- Otsu 16.  Flown by Corporal Matasumi Nakano from Chofu AB late February 1945.

• Ki-61 Hien type 1- Hei 33.  Flown by Corporal Matasumi Nakano from Chofu AB in December 1945.

• Ki-61 Hien type 1- Otsu 73.  Flown by Sergeant Masao Itagaki from Chofu AB in early 1945.

48-005 

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

The final sheet in the 244^th Sentai trilogy contains markings for: 

• Ki-61 Hien type 1- Tei 67.  Flown by Teruhiko Kobayashi from Akeno AB in early May of 1945.

• Ki 100 Otsu flown by Teruhiko Kobayashi from Chofu AB in May 1945.

• Ki-61 Hien type 1- Tei 5262.  Flown by 2^nd LT Yujiro Itakura from Chofu AB in March of 1945.

• Ki-61 Hien type 1- Tei   Probably of the 159^th or 160^th Shinbu-tai at Ashiya AB around October 1945.

• Ki-61 Hien type 1- Tei 67.  Flown by Teruhiko Kobayashi from Chofu AB late December 1944 to early January 1945.

• Ki-61 Hien type 1- Otsu (or Hei) 16.  Flown by Captain Fumisuke Shono from Chofu AB in February of 1945.

• Ki-61 Hien type 1- Hei 88.  Flown by Captain Fumisuke Shono from Chofu AB in February of 1945.

• Ki-61 Hien type 1- Hei 71.  Flown by unknown pilot, Soyokaze-tai from Chofu AB late February of 1945.

Thanks to Keishiro Nagao of Lifelike Decals for the review sample.

Lifelike Decals are available by email at lifelike@eos.ocn.ne.jp or from

2-8-7-202, Kameari, Katsushika, Tokyo 125-0061, Japan
fax: +81-3-5680-6733

Review Copyright © 2003 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 21 March, 2003
Last updated 14 August, 2003

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