Building and Test Flying a Kawasaki Ki-61 Tony for Rubber Power

This video documents my build and test flights of a 31-inch span Kawasaki Ki-61 Tony built using Mike Midkiff plans published years ago in Model Airplane News magazine. The model uses balsa "stick and tissue" construction. It's a great design and is quite a flyer.

[@nhschreiner]

Beautiful craftsmanship = great looking model. Very nicely done, thank you for sharing

[@Watchingthevideos99]

Thank you so much and thanks for watching! It's a great flying model.

[@masbeetleboy9169]

WOW, this is great. Most people would have built a Mustang, or a Zero. Glad to see a Tony represented.

[@Watchingthevideos99]

Thank you so much. The Tony was a fun project and turned out to be a pretty good flyer! Of course, I do also fly a Mustang indoors. 😁Another beautiful airplane.

[@arnehansson8178]

JK Thank you for another inspired video. I particularly enjoyed the scenes of Durham Fair grounds and the top of the Pegasus trailer.

[@Watchingthevideos99]

Thanks Arne.

[@pauldonnelly7949]

Beautiful work! Wonxering if it would have been easier to make the prop blades before installing on backing plate?

[@Watchingthevideos99]

Paul thank you for your comment. Sure, I think the blades could be carved before attaching to the backer plate. I'm not sure it would make much of a difference for me. My thinking was that I wanted a clean fit with the spinner so having hte blades in place helped me understand how far to carve and leave a square shape where the spinner would fit. But I think either way is fine.

[@TAT660X]

Fantastic 👌🏼 Love the video , no pointless chat 💬 The prop looks great well done

[@Watchingthevideos99]

Thank you so much. Really happy with the way the prop came out and it works quite well.

[@stevenhugh1785]

Great video thanks for sharing

[@Watchingthevideos99]

You're welcome Steven. Thanks for viewing.

[@tonyfrench2574]

Show each model close-up before flight !

[@Watchingthevideos99]

I like the idea, but can you elaborate? I try and get a shot of the model in the winding stooge at the field. A shot in my hand before launch is difficult because I have the camera in my right hand and use it to hold the prop before launching.

[@richardbrowne3641]

Tower Hobby balsa? I'm going to look them up on ebay. How did you glue three blades together? Can you do the same with 4-5 blades? You always impress me with your builds, John.❤ I wish I could build like you. Many details worked into your models. Looks and flies impressive!

[@Watchingthevideos99]

Hi Richard. The three blades were epoxied together and are also glued to the plywood backing plate you see in the video. The ends are sanded so they meet up properly and the angles checked carefully before gluing. Thank you for the kind words. Building skills always improve with each new model if you put your mind to it. Keep on building! Thanks for watching.

[@richardbrowne3641]

@@Watchingthevideos99 I never used opoxy. I normally use Testors metal/wood glue(green label) glue. Where do you buy opoxy? How do you mix it and use it?

[@Watchingthevideos99]

@@richardbrowne3641 actually the last epoxy I purchased was from Tower Hobbies. 😆 It's a two part glue that needs to be mixed in equal amounts. There are limited things I use it for.

[@funscalemodels9782]

Excellent model and that prop is a work of art! What was the auw? FSM

[@Watchingthevideos99]

Thank you. The prop was a fun project by itself. Weight without the motor is 75 grams.

[@swyntopia]

@@Watchingthevideos99 31 inch span ? And only 75 ( without mechanics ) ? It must be possible to add RC, for indoor. ???

[@Watchingthevideos99]

@@swyntopia Yes, the model could certainly be modified to fly with small RC equipment.

[@swyntopia]

@@Watchingthevideos99 Thank you for the Info !

[@Watchingthevideos99]

@@swyntopia you're welcome!

[@coyotearcadio]

Man, You are a pro.

[@Watchingthevideos99]

Thank you so much.