Kora Models | 1/32 Ki-27b Nate Manchukuo Air Force Decals
Reviewed by Andrew Birnie
Japanese expansionism in the last century saw them invade Manchuria in 1931 and set up a puppet government. In time the Manchukuo armed forces were armed with Japanese equipment, such as the Nakajima Ki-27b Nate.
Special Hobby released a couple of boxings of the Ki-27 a couple of years ago, and though it's a comprehensive kit with resin parts, there is an Eduard set which includes an instrument panel, cockpit and engine parts, Eduard also have masks for the canopy.
There are a couple of Montex mask sets for alternative markings, but this set from Kora Models is the first decal release for the kit. You need the "Otsu" "Over Malaya and Philippines" release - it has the correct canopy.
There are three options:
- Donation Ceremony marks Mukden Airfield August 1942
- 2nd Hikotai, Mukden Airfield, Autumn 1943
- Mukden Aviation School 1944
The decals are nicely printed on a solid decal sheet probably using Draw Decal or similar, so the individual markings will need careful cutting out and the national markings would probably benefit from having a suitable sized gloss white disc masked out on which to place them.
Kora Models produces a number of esoteric subjects for those seeking something a little different.
© Andrew Birnie 2014
This review was published on Friday, September 26 2014; Last modified on Friday, September 26 2014