This one is the Kayaba Ka-go 2 with a Jakobs L-4 M A-7 air-cooled, seven-cylinder engine.
The story goes like this: the IJAAF imported a Kellet KD-1A from the States for evaluation. Unfortunately it was damaged during trials and the Army gave it to Kayaba to repair it. Kayaba installed a Jacobs engine and produced one more experimental test machine designated Ka-2. It was found to be very satisfactory and the Army decided to put it into mass production as the Ka-1 but with a different engine; an Argus As 10c eight-cylinder.
It served as artillery spotter and, according to a Japanese reference, with the 107Sentai.
It also served in the anti-submarine role equipped with depth charges from the Army aircraft carrier (yes, the Army had some of those too) Akitsu Maru. The first in the world to do so.
A rare photo I'm sure X-plane lovers will like.
Those who have the Francillon volume will notice some differences with the text above.
By the way...it's overall orange.
2 comments:
One of my personal favorite J-aircraft, the Ka-1 was the first Fine Molds kit I built (years ago).
Like all of their 1/72nd kits, it is excellent.
Was the Argus engine license-built in Japan, or were they able to import adequate numbers from Germany?
Believe it or not, youtube has video of the Japanese autogiros (both rotary and inline models):
http://youtu.be/_EFt7cLCRSY
Showing both take off and landing tests on land, and on the aircraft carrier.
Incredible raw footage! Care to speculate on colors?
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