[CMR72-5061] Kokusai Ki-76 ‘Stella’ (Liaison Aircraft Type 3)

Description

The Ki-76, or Liaison Aircraft Type 3, was a Japanese utility plane, produced by Nippon Kokusai Koku Kogyo and used as an artillery spotter and liaison aircraft during the WWII. Its Allied reporting name was ‘Stellaʼ. Inspired by, and similar to, the German Fi 156 Storch, the Ki-76 prototype first flew in May 1941 and was ordered into mass production as the Army Type 3 Command Liaison Plane in November 1942. In total, 937 aircraft were built.
The K-76 was a two-seat high-wing monoplane of a mixed design with mixed metal, ply sheet and fabric covering. It featured an enclosed cabin, extensively glazed to provide generous external views. The wing was fitted with a fixed leading edge slots and Fowler flaps on the trailing edge; this configuration allowed the aircraft to achieve a short take-off and landing. It had a fixed undercarriage and tailwheel and was powered by a Hitachi Ha-42 radial engine turning two-blade propeller. Its defence armament consisted of a single movable machine gun in the upper rear part of the canopy roof.
The Ki-76 remained in service as an artillery spotter and liaison aircraft until the end of the war. A number were also used as anti-submarine aircraft, operating from the Japanese Armyʼs escort carrier, the Akitsu Maru. They were fitted with an arrester hook and carried two 132lb (60kg) depth charges, but in this role the aircraft did not prove to be much successful.

Colour schemes included in the kit:

1) Kokusai Ki-76 ‘Stella’ (Army Type 3 Command Liaison Plane), unidentified training unit, Imperial Japanese Army Air Force, Japan, 1943

2) Kokusai Ki-76 ‘Stella’ (Army Type 3 Command Liaison Plane), Japanese Army escort carrier Akitsu Maru, Imperial Japanese Army Air Force, Japan, 1944

3) Kokusai Ki-76 ‘Stella’ (Army Type 3 Command Liaison Plane), Imperial Japanese Army Air Force, the Philippines, 1945

Assembly instructions:

CMR72-5061 Ki-76 Stella_instr web