WildEagles: Japanese Airfields, Equipment & more #37

IJAAF ground crew uniforms pt.2
Various poses of ground crews of units based in Japan, often seen in photos (but rarely seen in dioramas).

Climbing on the cowling, the wings or a ladder to service the engine. All photos are from servicing "Hien" with the 244 Sentai. In the bottom right photo, an excessive number of ground crew members have climbed and are seen like they are working on only one aircraft. This is apparently a staged photo as normally no more than three mechanics would work on one aircraft (unless some major repair was needed).

The photos are from servicing "Hayabusa", showing also the kind of tools used.

These photos are from servicing "Hayate".

Ground crews from the Army Maintenance School are servicing the engine of a Mitsubishi Ki-51 "Sonia". The soldiers often unbuttoned the top of their one-piece uniform and wrapped it around their waist when the day was too hot, leaving themselves half-naked or wearing undershirts.

Refueling the aircraft.

Loading fresh ammunition, on a "Hien" on the left on a "Shoki" on the right.

Starting the aircraft with a starter truck or with a crank starter.

Prepping the engine before getting it started. Note the standard maintenance crew cap but also the "uniforms" and the "geta" worn by the guy on the left. The setting is important here. These ground crew members are working on a Mitsubishi Ki-21 "Sally" of the Hamamatsu Bombing School. The particular school had a maintenance crew education unit but the actual maintenance of the bombers that were used to instruct the bombing crews, was done by civilians employed by the military. Therefore these guys in the photo are civilian employees and wear a mixture of civilian and military clothes.