This latest sheet from Empire City Decals continues with their Japanese theme and includes four Special Attackers. We generally refer to these as Kamikazes as their mission was to crash their bomb laden aircraft into US ships. In fact, during the last year of the war, many of Japan's aircraft were held back for this particular mission and there was no lack of volunteers.

As with the last sheet, this one is a waterslide decal. From what I gather, the continuing lack of parts and materials for ALPS printers has made this method less and less of an option. There are four schemes on this sheet.

First up is a Ki-84 of the 195th Shinbu-tai from the Spring of 1945. It is in overall brownish green (approx 30118) over grey (approx 36424).

Next is a Ki-61 of the 56th Shinbu-Tai in April 1945 and was sortied against the US fleet at Okinawa. Unpainted metal with a heavy green (approx 34096) squiggle pattern.

This Ki-9 trainer was photographed at war's end with a 55 gallon fuel drum stuffed into the rear seat. dark green upper with trainer orange undersides.

Finally a Ki-46-III fo the 17th Dokurito Chutai during the summer of 1945 in brown (around 30140) over grey.

The sheet includes enough insignia to do all four options. For kits in 1/72 there is Hasegawa for the Ki-84, Ki-61, and Ki-46. The Ki-9 is a Choroszy Modelbud resin kit. You can also get the Ki-61 from Fine Molds.

This sheet is also available in 1/48 for those who prefer to model in that scale.

Empire City Decals has also started to put their placement data and background information on hard cards, something I found superior to the usual paper and it also helps to protect the decals.

An outstanding set, especially as aftermarket sheets for Japanese aircraft are few and far between, especially in 1/72 scale.

My thanks to Empire City Decals for the review sample. You can get yours direct from the hyperlink.

September  2007