Artbox KD03 1/72 Magnificent Kotobuki Ki-43 part 3

The Magnificent Kotobuki (Japanese: 荒野のコトブキ飛行隊, Hepburn: Kōya no Kotobuki Hikōtai, lit. 'Kotobuki Squadron in the Wilderness') is an anime television series produced by GEMBA, which aired from January to March 2019. In a desolate land, people trade goods with each other to survive. Goods are transported via huge zeppelins which hire squadrons of fighter pilots for defense against air pirates and carry their single-engine fighter planes on board. One of these is the Kotobuki Squadron, a team of six young women: Kylie, Emma, Kate, Reona, Zara and Chika.

As with some of you, I like things that are a bit different and one is the above anime. When I spotted a decal sheet for aircraft from the series, I immediately put in an order. Apparently I missed out on the initial offering, but will keep looking as these things turn up.

Anyway, there are six Ki-43s in the Kotobuki Squadron, all of them in a base of unpainted metal with varying degrees of mottling. This decal sheet provides markings for two of them. What is really neat is that the decals include the mottling scheme. This is a real boon as all six aircraft have a scheme that is a bit different. Each also includes markings unique to each pilot as well as the squadron insignia that is common to all. In addition, the yellow wing ID bands are also provided.

The decal sheet itself is quite large measuring 295mm in length. The instructions consist of a top, side and underside image showing where all the markings are applied. Each marking is numbered to help things along. There is no dedicated kit for this sheet, but as of this writing, one is limited to either the Fujimi or LS/Arii kit as these aircraft are the early Ki-43-I variant. Both kits are not easy to find and when one is located, they are usually pricey. Fortunately. Arma Hobby is planning a series of Ki-43 kits so one can hope that the -I is in the works.

November 2024

If you can't find their decals at your local hobby shop, you can order them direct from the link above.

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