2019

2019, the year of the wild boar

 

Another year has passed and I don't know about you but even though Japan was hit by a number of natural disasters, 2018 was more relaxed and enjoyable for Arawasi. No we didn't release out line of haute couture t-shirts since we got zero feedback from our readers. We had planed to release a new Eagle Eye by the end of this year (actually in 2017) but the volume of the material we have gathered needs a few more months to put together in a really high quality publication as you have been used to. More soon...

 

Five very successful modelling contests this year. We would like to thank everybody who took part, voted and left a comment. Hub Plott, Dizzyfugu, Derek Cooper, Mark Jahsan, Gustavo Antonelli,

Alexander Nam Tran, Leon Kloke, Mikhail Ageenko, Sawai Nobuyuki, Gary Wenko, Mike Grant, John Tate, Jacob Terlouw, Eduard Badescu, Tim Hortman, Will Silk, Bill Weckel, Zbyszek Malicki, Mirek Kadič, Michał Danielak, Miro Herold and Radek Pelikan.

Starting from contest #9 and following your suggestions we changed the voting from 1~10 (no decimals) but very few follow this. No worries! The winner will be announced in a week or so. 

The theme for the next contest is Japanese Prototype & Experimental Aircraft in any scale (no what-ifs) and will start from January 15.

 

A special thank-you to everybody who contributed to this blog this year: Michael Furry, Claudio Luchina, Gary Wenko, Jean Barby, Bill Weckel, Michael Thurow, Bill Bosworth and Allan Jeffery.  

 

And finally a HUUUUGE "thank you" to our good friends:

Sinang Aribowo, James Boyd, Devlin Chouinard, Danilo Renzulli, Eric Vogel and Zygmunt Szeremeta (welcome back).

 

Last year the community of Japanese aviation enthusiasts was hit by the deaths of a number of distinguished members, some friends of ours, some less so. So a big sayonara to Henry Sakaida, David Aiken and James Lansdale. I hope the jacom group will find their footing and keep the legacy of the site in a more friendly and inclusive environment.

 

All the best for the new year to everybody out there. Let's hope 2019 is really productive and, more importantly, enjoyable than 2018. Have fun and enjoy modelling!

Mitsubishi G3M1-L/L3Y1 "Tina" - video

A video from the NHK collection entitled "Gakudo Akogare no Ozora e" (School students in the longing sky). The narrator explains:

 

"On July 18, 1943 school students, who will become pilots in the future, visited Haneda airfield in Tokyo in a short flight training experience. They put on pilot's flight suits and their hearts leaped with joy when they got on an airplane for the first time."

 

The officer at the end of the video asks the students:

"How did you feel flying on an airplane for the first time?" 

And one of the students replies:

"Yes, it was amazing. When I grow up I will become a superb pilot and get ready to shoot from the sky every single US/UK airplane."

 

Of special interest though, is the Mitsubishi G3M1-L/L3Y1 "Tina" transport and the extremely rare cabin shots. Note that the bomb attachment points under the fuselage have been replaced and probably strengthened. Also note how weathered the aircraft is at places in close-ups but how pristine looks from afar.

 

 

Japanese Aircraft Online Model Contest 010 -DOUG BEARDSWORTH

I have been building plastic models since the age of four. However I also had a strong interest in rubber powered scale models made from balsa and covered with Esaki tissue that has overlapped my plastic model building.
I designed and built a Kawanishi Kyofu flying scale model with a wingspan of approximately 19 inches. My interest in this aircraft started upon seeing one on outdoor Display in Warminster, Pennsylvania back in the early 1980's. In 2007, I drew up a set of plans for a 1/24 scale Free Flight rubber powered Kyofu, using the Hasegawa  plastic kit as the primary reference for my drawings.  Construction took place over the winter of 2007 and 2008 using traditional methods of rubber powered model construction.
The model is a stable flyer, and it scored well in static scale judging in the Flying Aces Club  "Rubber Scale" competition category in 2008. However its duration was never much more than 30-35 seconds due to the limitation on propeller diameter, which was restricted  by the main float. Flights were "short and sweet" as they say.
After flying it for several years in this "Rubber Scale" class, I converted it from rubber power to electric powered Free Flight. This change moved the model into in a new class called "Power Scale ". The electric motor spun a much smaller two bladed prop, and it continued to be a stable flyer. The model made numerous flights of 2 minutes or more in this class.

See more Free Flight Action at:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5lXh5HZ62N8s7urLVoOVxg

 

http://www.ffscale.co.uk

 

http://www.flyingacesclub.com
 

- Doug Beardsworth, Thomaston CT, USA -

 

  

 

Check this AMAZING video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnQu52VnJg4 

Heads up!

For the latest release by "Le Fana de l' Aviation - Hors-Serie No 62" entitled "La chasse japonaise face aux B-29" by Bernard Baeza, illustrated by Vincent Dhorne.

 

 

A nice short version of the Osprey publication, including the IJNAF, with a nice collection of photos and artwork. 132 pages, all in France. 

Nipponki '46 - "Shiden" Model 52 Bomber

"Shiden" Model 52 Bomber

Engine: liquid-cool 2500hp X 3

Length: 35m

Span: 58m

Max. speed: 650 km/h

Cruising speed: 580 km/h

Range @ cruising speed: 1500km

Ceiling: 12000m

Bomb load: 6000kg (middle of fuselage, inside the wings)

Crew: 9-10

 

Designed by Fukushima Masatoshi from Osaka

Featured in the May 1944 issue of the magazine "Koku Shonen" (Aviation Youth)

 

The last design for this year is a very exciting and unusual one that resembles, in concept, the Arado E470. A more orthodox and realistic design would have the engines on the main wing instead of the tail.

Nipponki '46 - Ha100 Single Seat Fighter

Ha100 Single-seat Anti-bomber Fighter

Engine: 1500hp X 2

Max. speed: 780 km/h

Armament: 4 X machine guns, 2 X 20mm cannons

 

Designed by Harui Yoshiyashu from Kobe

Featured in the January 1943 issue of the magazine "Koku Shonen" (Aviation Youth)

 

A design very very similar to the Imam Ro.58. Even the two protruding cannons look the same.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Easy to imagine something along these lines being produced in Japan, like a liquid-cooled engine version of the "Toryu".

Nipponki '46 - "Hata" Model 2 Fighter

"Hata" Model 2 Fighter

High speed, heavy armament, anti-bomber interceptor and anti-tank ground attack

DATA

Crew: 1

Engine: Water-cooled 2000hp X 1, 1000hp X 2

Max. speed: 820 km/h

Service ceiling: 10000m

Range @ cruising speed: 2000km

Armament: 3 X 40mm cannons, 4 X 30mm cannons, 4 X 25kg bombs

 

Designed by junior high-school student Hata Kokichiro from Shimane Prefecture

Featured in the March 1944 issue of the magazine "Hiko Shonen" (Airplane Youth)

 

The "aviation expert" of the magazine commented that it is an overall good design but it is not clear how the 2000hp engine is cooled down. The three 40mm cannons firing through the propeller configuration is also improbable. The position of the ailerons is a bit strange as they are connected to the nacelles. But in general it is a good design that needs a little more attention to details.

 

A very unusual design that causes more problems than solves. To start with the fuel consumption by the three engines will necessitate large tanks; placed where? I agree that the cannons in the nose will not pair well with the prop. Also a nose wheel will be necessary to clear the ground from the two props on the wings. This means there will be very little space in the nose for armament. A very high speed reconnaissance unarmed version would be more possible. Something  like a three engine "Dinah"? But I'm left in amazement considering that such a cool and complex design was conceived by a junior high school student! And I'm wondering what ideas the professional designers in Mitsubishi or Nakajima toyed with.

Nipponki '46 - "Waguri" Type Heavy Fighter

"Waguri" Type Heavy Fighter

1. A heavy fighter with focus on speed and armament. Heavy wing load, engine installed in the rear so center of gravity towards the rear. The placement of the cockpit in the front offers a very good front view. Machine cannons all in the front.

2. Engine of high horse power, so the propellers are counter-rotating. The propeller diameter is small, so the aircraft sits low to ensure safety during landing.

3. The horizontal tail is placed in the front so the propeller air flow to the rear is unobstructed.

 

DATA

Engine: liquid cool V 14 cylinder 2500hp (18 cylinder air-cooled radial 2,130hp)

Span: 11.5 (11.114)

Length: 9.5m (9.66m)

Height: 3m (3.92m)

Main wing area: 15.5 sqm (20.559 sqm)

Weight: 3700kg (empty 3645kg)

Wing load: 239 kg/sqm (240.4 kg/sqm)

Power loading: 1.48 kg/sqm (2.3 kg/sqm)

Max. speed: 640 km/h (750km/h)

Landing speed: 110 km/h

Range @ cruising speed: 3000km (851km)

Armament: 20mm X 2, 30mm X 1 (30mm X 4)

 

Design by Waguri Yutaro from Fukuoka

Featured in the March 1944 issue of the magazine "Koku Shonen" (Aviation Youth)

 

The "aviation expert" of the magazine commented that it is an excellent design and there is nothing really negative to say. One suggestion would be to move the radiator from under the fuselage in the middle towards the rear for better wing flow and thrust. A rocket engine could also be placed.

He ads that it is impossible to consider a 14-cylinder engine as the vibration would be excessive. The 3000km range is also highly improbable.

 

It is obvious the design bares a striking resemblance to the Kyushu J7W "Shinden" (data in parentheses for comparison), design of which started in 1943 and the first flight of the first prototype was in August 1945.

The peculiar engine/prop system with the extension shafts, was very popular among these amateur aircraft designers but very impractical in reality. Beyond this feature though it is easy to imagine the projects with more conventional means of propulsion. 

Some other aircraft using the same configuration were:

Salmson-Moineau S.M.1

 

Parnall Possum

 

Bristol Tramp

 

Boulton Paul Bodmin

  

Nipponki '46 - "Seiku" Air Defence Fighter

"Seiku" Model 1 Air Defence Fighter

DATA 

Engine: two 1700hp liquid-cooled inverted V 12cylinder

Span: 13.2m

Length: 8m

Height: 4m

Main wing area: 23.8sqm

Wing load: 189kg/sqm

Max. speed: 720km/h

Range @ cruising speed: 1,500km

Fuel: 2200l

Crew: 1

Armament: 2 X 30mm, 2 X 12.7mm

 

"Seiku" (Sky Dominator) is a fast fighter with high climbing speed.

The engines are installed in the same fashion like on the Heinkel 177 and drive a 4-blade propeller via an extension shaft.

Each engine has a turbine exhaust coming out from both sides of the fuselage.

Air intakes are behind both sides of the cockpit with a radiator installed in the middle.

 

Designed by: Ikeda from Yokohama & Maruyama from Yokosuka

Featured in the November 1944 issue of the magazine "Koku Shonen" (Aviation Youth)

 

The "aviation expert" of the magazine commented that it is a fantastic design that only needs a little attention in the landing gear and the nose.

 

Okay, this is one of the most interesting designs in the whole series because it is EXACTLY like the Lippisch P10-108, a 1942 German bomber project that never left the drawing board. From the overall shape and tail-less concept down to the two engines joined side-by-side, the 4-blade props and the extension shaft, the two designs are identical in every respect! Ofcourse it looks a lot like the Me 163 Komet but to me it is really amazing that two amateur Japanese designers thought in exactly the same way and took the aircraft in the same direction the Lippisch designers did.

 

It is easy to imagine a simpler version with only one engine in the rear (Henschel P.130) or the project evolving with one (Henschel P.135) or two (Lippisch P11-02) jet engines been installed. Even the experimental Ryan X13 Vertijet is very close.

 

Michael Thurow also noticed that it looks like the Northrop XP-56 Black Bullet.

Japanese Aircraft Online Model Contest 010 - MIKE DRISKILL

This is the 1/72 Tamiya kit, converted to represent the second N1K1-J prototype. I was inspired by the kit's rather narrow prop blades, which looked more like the prototype than production machines to me! It was built several years ago.

Modifications to the kit include removal of lower cowl intake, reworking cowl flaps and exhausts, modifying cannon gondolas to represent unarmed fairings, and substituting an Aoshima canopy. The paint color was hand-mixed, all main markings are painted, and weathering was with watercolor washes, pastels, and colored pencils.

I have ended with another product placement. This wonderful new book shows in glorious detail all that I did wrong with this model!

 

- Mike Driskill, Knoxville, Tennessee USA -

 

 

  

 

 

 

Nipponki '46 - "Shiokaze" Sea Rescue Large Size Flying Boat

 "Shiokaze" Sea-Rescue Large Size Flying Boat

A flying boat designed to alight near merchant ships in danger to rescue the crew. From the rear door/ramp, rescue motor boats could be launched. ["Shiokaze" means "sea wind"]

 

DATA

Engine: air-cooled 4 X 2000hp

Performance

                     Max speed: 340km/h

                     Cruising speed: 290km/h

                     Range: 6800km

Crew: 16, passengers: 85

All-metal construction, rooms are soundproof and heated

 

1. cockpit

2. radio room

3. radar

4. front observation post

5. generator/dynamo and engine room

6. captain's room

7. crew rest station

8. rescue motor boats

9. door

10. passenger rest station

11. fuel tank

12. food & medicine store room

13. infirmary

14. rescue equipment store room

15. passenger rest station

 

The same design can be modified to become long distance bomber, patrol and passenger transport flying boat. Note the stabilizing sponsons.

 

Designed by: Mito Atsuji from Shimonoseki

Featured in the April 1942 issue of the magazine "Koku Shonen" (Aviation Youth) 

 

A design with a distinctly British feel to it. Very similar in concept and design to Short Seaford

Or as zegyeye pointed out, even closer to the Boing 314

The rear ramp with the motor boats is particularly intriguing. I admit I've never heard of such a feature on a flying boat although I guess it could make sense in a way.

The only "flying boat" that could come close, is the experimental Stroukoff YC-134 with the unique system that could land the transport on water. Note the three-tail feature similar to the "Shiokaze" design.

 

How about something like that?

 

Jokes aside the ramp in the back could be useful in open sea rescue operations but not so practical if it's required to unload passengers or supplies on an island or a harbour, since it would be impossible the flying boat to back up towards a dock, a pier or a beach. I think this is the reasoning behind placing the large doors in the front of the experimental Kawanishi H11K-1 "Soku" super transport flying boat.

 

 

And let's not forget the Convair R3Y Tradewind.

Nipponki '46 - EK-2 Experimental Single-Seat Destroyer

EK-2 Experimental Single-Seat Destroyer

DATA

Engine: Ryusei GV twin-row 18-cylinder radial

Max output: 3000hp with 4-step supercharger

Propeller: EK-P-1 constant speed, variable pitch, changing electrically, with full feathering and cuffs (propeller cuff : a fairing of suitable airfoil shape used to cover the shanks of propeller blades in order to reduce the aerodynamic losses - MW)

Performance

                     Max. speed: 712km/h

                     Cruising speed: 670km/h

                     Landing speed: 150km/h

Range at cruising speed: 2800km with drop tank

Ceiling: 1600 m (???)

Climbing at 1000m in 40sec

Wing area: 17sqm

Weight: 2669kg

Wing load: 157kg/sqm

Armament: 2 X 36mm cannon in the fuselage

                   4 X 20mm cannons in the wings

 

Notes:

1. The radial engine is placed in the centre of gravity for better balance. The propeller is driven by an extension shaft for better cooling (???).

2. Although difficult for mass production the wings are tapered.

3. Twin flaps

 

Designed by: Sekikawa Eijiro from Kobe 

Featured in the June 1943 issue of "Hiko Shonen" (Airplane Youth)         

At first glance it looks like a very interesting combination of the Supermarine Spitfire and the Bell P-39 Airacobra. Quite intriguing as a proposal but things get bizarre with the radial engine choice. Radial engines placed that back in the fuselage and with a completely enclosed nose create huge problems with cooling.

Similar designs would be:

1. the Republic XP-72, with common features like the supercharger, the extension shaft for the prop and very similar armament

 

2. the Blackburn Firecrest

 

and is almost identical in concept with the

3. Piaggio P.119

 

An unusual design that does not look Japanese at all and would have been much more straightforward with a liquid-cooled engine. Let's not forget the various problems "Raiden" had with the placing of the engine further back in the fuselage and the need for a fan for cooling. 

Nipponki '46 - Kawasemi Model 10 Air Defence Fighter

In the latest issue of our magazine, here, we introduced the various extraordinary aircraft designs submitted by amateur illustrators to vintage Japanese aviation magazines. While the series will continue on the magazine, we would like to show on this blog some of the more "funky" designs. We start with one from one of the most respected and prolific Japanese illustrators, the late Watanabe Rikyu, first published in the August 1943 issue of the magazine "Koku Shonen" (Aviation Youth).

 

 

Kawasemi Model 10 Air Defence Fighter

High altitude anti-bomber interceptor

 

DATA

Span: 11m

Length: 10.5m

Engine: Special liquid-cool, 3,000hp

Propeller: two 3-blade contra-rotating

Performance

                    Max. speed: 778km/h

                    Cruising speed: 590km/h

                    Landing speed: 150km/h

Armament: 40mm cannon X 1

                    30mm cannon X2

                    15mm MG X 3 

Although at first glance the design may look as too "manga" and childish, you will notice a striking resemblance to the:

1. Dornier P.247/6 high performance fighter, here 

2. Focke-Wulf high performance fighter with Jumo 222E/F

(image from here)

3. Focke-Wulf high performance fighter with Argus As 413 as described and shown on p.38 of "Luftwaffe Secret Projects - Fighters 1939-1945" by Walter Schick & Ingolf Meyer.

 

4. Dornier P 247/1.

Illustration by Peter Allen, from HERE.

All 1944-1945 designs that never left the drawing board.

HOT STUFF!!! #16

We offer on our blog rare and difficult to find kits and books at very interesting prices. Quantities are extremely low, usually only one kit or book is available and quality, although not new, is very good. The "HOT STUFF!!!" series will be updated frequently.

If you are interested send us an email at: arawasiorder@arawasi.jp indicating the item of your choice and your country of origin. We will get back to you ASAP with postage and payment details. For more info, HERE.

 

Don't miss this chance!

 

Today we offer various volumes of the "DESIGN WITH PRECISION SERIES" by Matsuba Minoru. All volumes are long out-of-print and highly sought after. Each volume contains very detailed multi-view illustrations in 1/48 with exact measurements and often cutaway sections and other details of each aircraft type.
All volumes are in very good condition.

Vol. #1 "WWII Fighters", includes illustrations for:
Nakajima Ki-43-I Ko "Hayabusa" (Oscar), Nakajima Ki-44-II Ko "Shoki" (Tojo), Kawasaki Ki-61-I Otsu "Hien" (Tony), Nakajima Ki-84 Ko "Hayate" (Frank), Mitsubishi A6M5 "Zero", Mitsubishi J2M3 "Raiden" (Jack), Kawanishi N1K1-J "Shiden" 11-Ko (George), Kawanishi N1K2-J "Shiden-kai" (George), Curtiss P-40E Warhawk, Republic P-47D-10 Thunderbolt, North American P-51D Mustang, Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat, Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat, Chance Vought F4U-4 Corsair, Supermarine Spitfire Mk.5B, Hawker Hurricane 2C, Polikarpov I-16 Type 10, Messerschmitt Bf109E-4, Focke-Wulf Fw190A-8
Price: $US40 (postage not included)

 Vol. #2 "WWII Fighters", includes illustrations for:
Kawasaki Ki-10 "Perry", Nakajima Ki-27 Otsu "Nate", Kawasaki Ki-45 Kai "Toryu" (Nick), Kawasaki Ki-61-II Kai "Hien" (Tony), Kawasaki Ki-100 "Tony", Mitsubishi A5M2b-IIKai "Claude", Nakajima Special Attacker "Kikka", Nakajima J1N2 "Gekko" (Irving), Kyushu J7W1 "Shinden", Mitsubishi J8M1 "Shusui", Lockheed P-38L-5 Lightning, Bell P-39Q-1-BE Aircobra, North American P-51H Mustang, Hawker Typhoon Mk.1B, De Havilland Mosquito NF Mk.2, Westland Whirlwind, Messerschmitt Me410-1 Hornisse, Macchi MC202AS/CB Folgore, Yakovlev Yak-1M
Price: $US55 (postage not included)

Vol. #3 "WWII Attack Bombers & Reconnaissance Planes", includes illustrations for:
Nakajima B5N2 Model 12 "Kate", Nakajima B6N2 "Tenzan" (Jill), Aichi D3A1 "Val", Yokosuka D4Y2 "Suisei" (Judy), Mitsubishi Ki-15-I "Babs", Tachikawa Ki-36 "Ida", Mitsubishi Ki-46-III "Dinah", Mitsubishi Ki-51 "Sonia", Nakajima C6N1 "Saiun" (Myrt), Aichi E16A1 "Zuiun" (Paul), Mitsubishi F1M2 "Pete", Aichi M6A1 "Seiran", Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless, Grumman TBF-TBM-1C Avenger, Curtiss SB2C-4 Helldiver, Westland Lysander Mk.3, Henschel Hs129B, Messerschmitt Me262A-1a, Ilyushin Il-10 Stormovik
Price: $US55 (postage not included)

Vol. #4 "Army & Navy Experimental Aircraft", includes illustrations for:
Kawasaki Ki-5, Kawasaki Ki-28, Kawasaki Ki-45, Kawasaki Ki-60, Kawasaki Ki-64, Tachikawa Ki-70, Kawasaki Ki-78 Ken-3, Mitsubishi Ki-83, Nakajima Ki-87, Kawasaki Ki-88, Manpi Ki-98, Mitsubishi J4M1 "Senden", Nakajima J5N1 "Tenrai", Kawanishi J6K1 "Jinpu", Mitsubishi A7M2 "Reppu" (Sam), Yokosuka R2Y1 "Keiun", Kawanishi E15K1 "Shiun" (Norm), Aichi S1A1 "Denko"
Price: $US55 (postage not included)
GONE!

Vol. #10 "Japanese Army Fighters", includes illustrations for:
Nakajima Type 91 Fighter, Kawasaki Type 92 Fighter, Kawasaki Ki-10 "Perry", Nakajima Ki-27 Otsu "Nate", Kawasaki Ki-28, Nakajima Ki-43-I "Hayabusa" (Oscar), Nakajima Ki-43-II "Hayabusa" (Oscar), Nakajima Ki-43-III "Hayabusa" (Oscar), Nakajima Ki-44-II Ko "Shoki" (Tojo), Kawasaki Ki-45 Kai "Toryu" (Nick), Mitsubishi Ki-46-III Otsu "Dinah", Kawasaki Ki-60, Kawasaki Ki-61-I Otsu "Hien" (Tony), Kawasaki Ki-61-II Kai "Hien" (Tony), Mitsubishi Ki-83, Nakajima Ki-84 Ko "Hayate" (Frank), Nakajima Ki-87, Tachikawa Ki-94 II, Kawasaki Ki-96, Kawasaki Ki-100 Model I "Tony", Kawasaki Ki-102 Ko, Kawasaki Ki-108
Price: $US55 (postage not included)
GONE!