Questions - Manchukuoan Air Force pt.1

After the recent Special Hobby Manchukuo "Hayabusa" crush, Kevin Lawton asked: "So does anyone produce the correct decals??"

I think it's high time to do a special on the Manshu Kokugun Hikotai or Manchukuoan Air Force (MAF) and what modelling options are and aren't available.

Since there is often confusion regarding the terminology, let's begin by making clear that Manchuria is an obsolete geographical name of present-day northeast China. The term "Manchurian Air Force" would refer to the one under the command of Chinese warlords Chang Tso-lin or his son Chang Hsueh-liang and even include all the Japanese Army Air units stationed there. 

Manchukuo was the vassal state created by the Japanese in 1932, with its own air force and civilian airline, supposedly independent from the Japanese command. Wiki has a page under the name "Manchukuo Imperial Air Force" but in reality, it never had the "Imperial" word in it. The correct Japanese name, Manshu Kokugun Hikotai, is literally translated as "Flying Unit of the National Army of Manchukuo", but we opted for Manchukuoan Air Force as it's shorter, easier to remember and accurate enough. The MAF used this roundel on its aircraft.

The MAF operated a number of IJAAF aircraft types. Here's an almost complete list:

Army Ko-4 (Nieuport 29C1),

Army Otsu-1 (Salmson 2A2) reconnaissance aircraft, 

Army Type88 (Kawasaki KDA-2) reconnaissance aircraft,

Army Type 91 (Nakajima NC) fighter,

Kawasaki Ki-10 "Perry",

Mitsubishi Ki-2,

Tachikawa Ki-9 "Spruce",

Tachikawa Ki-17 "Cedar",

Tachikawa Ki-55 "Ida",

Nakajima Ki-27 "Nate",

Kawasaki Ki-32 "Mary",

Nakajima K-43-II "Hayabusa" (Oscar),

Nakajima Ki-44-II "Shoki" (Tojo) and

Kawasaki Ki-45-KAIc "Toryu" (Nick). 

All the types in the list are confirmed by photographic evidence and/or are clearly mentioned in veteran testimonies. The MAF could have in its inventory a small number of other older and obsolete IJAAF types, therefore the list should be considered as incomplete. A Kwantung Army document, mentions that MAF had or was to be supplied with 30 Mitsubishi Mitsubishi Ki-15 "Babs" Command Reconnaissance aircraft, but apart from this document there is no other record confirming that MAF was ever supplied with "Babs". 

There is no photographic or otherwise record of MAF ever having Mitsubishi Ki-30 "Ann" light bombers, Manshu Ki-79 trainers or Mitsubishi Ki-21 "Sally" bombers in its inventory. The types Nakajima LB-2, 2F BXN2 Gamma, Tachikawa Ki-54 mentioned on the Wiki page, were never operated by the MAF, because the MAF did not permanently operate any transports. Whenever such aircraft were needed, they were borrowed from Manshu Koku Kabushiki Kaisha or Manchukuo Aviation Co., Ltd. (MKKK). Therefore these transport types belonged to the fleet of the MKKK, not to the MAF.

At this point, I would like to remind you that our book "The Eagles of Manchukuo", the only one to properly cover the subject, came out in 2011.

It is sold out and out-of-print but a corrected and expanded edition is in the works and will come out this year; 2023.

Okay, let's talk about kits and decals.

After the release of our book, Kora Models bought a copy (thanks for that) and without any credit, thank-yous or complimentary samples (F U for that), released a series of decals in 1/72 and 1/48. Some are accurate, some less so and some are completely BS. I'm sure you understand why no Kora Models decal images will appear here.

Let's see what's out there by aircraft type. 

There are no readily available kits for the Kawasaki KDA-2 or the Mitsubishi Ki-2 light bomber. I know of Choroszy Modelbud resin and Sova Model kits but without any MAF markings.

For the Ko 4 (Nieuport 29C1), there is the Azur kit in 1/72, the Raccoon in 1/48 and Lukgraph in 1/32; all without MAF markings. There are no photos of the type in MAF service, so the exact markings, finish etc, are not known but this didn't stop Kora to release a decal set with MKKK (!!!!) roundels and markings. Completely BS. 

For the Nakajima Type 91 fighter, there are kits by Choroszy and RS Models in 1/72 and only the ancient Raccoon Model kit in 1/48, but all without any MAF markings. Kora has released an accurate MAF decal set in 1/72 and a completely BS MKKK, again, decal set also in 1/72.

Kawasaki Ki-10. There are 2-3 kits in 1/72 by Hasegawa, ICM and Avis and older by Merlin and Av USK, also, the great Fine Molds kits in 1/48 but none has MAF markings. Again, Kora has released accurate sets in 1/72 and 1/48.

Completing the older pre-war aircraft types, Kora has also released a Dewoitine D.27 kit with MKKK decals; also completely BS. The type was never flown either by MAF or MKKK.

Moving on to the trainers.

I know only of the Choroszy kit for the Ki-17 in 1/72; no MAF markings. Kora has released an accurate set.

For the "Spruce" there is the RS Models "Special Unit" kit in 1/72 and it includes accurate MAF decals for a gokoku (donated) Ki-9.

In 1/48 there is the old Nichimo kit without MAF decal options.  

Kora has released fairly accurate MAF sets in 1/72 and 1/48.

For the poor "Ida" there is only the very old Fujimi kit in 1/72 and the Raccoon in 1/48. 

Kora has released an accurate MAF decal set in 1/72 (DEC 72.175) and a completely BS set of MAF Ki-36 (DEC 72.272). The MAF had NO Ki-36s.

There are also three 1/72 decal sets with MAF Ki-9 and Ki-55 options, among others.

Axis Decal from our very good friend Onoguchi-san came out first, in 1996. 

Followed by Blue Rider in 2001

And finally by Rising Decals in 2012.

Mirek from RD is the only decal guy who profits from our research and has had the decency to express his gratitude.

Feel free to ask questions, add or correct information and leave a comment.