Japanese Airfields, Equipment & more #45 - revised

Modelling 3 
Combos and fails
In this part, we will see sets that combine Navy and Army pilots and ground crews, usually labelled as "Kamikaze" as well as grossly inaccurate, mislabeled or misleading sets. I guess some of these mistakes are due to limited knowledge of Japanese culture and/or aviation history.
Also, I will try to cover as well as possible various vehicles that could be found in IJAAF and IJNAF airfields.

First up, is the "Red Box" "Japanese Kamikaze" set in 1/72, half with Army pilots and mechanics and half with the Navy. Note the kimono-clad woman weaving a cherry tree branch. Overall very interesting and accurate set.

"Tori Factory Military Figures" has released a set in 1/72 entitled "Japanese Pilots & Woman". It does not specify if they are Army or Navy and from what I can tell it is based on a colorized post-war photo; the aircraft is not even an original Japanese. The pilot flight suits closely resemble Army so I guess it could be used in an IJAAF setting.

About the woman...

In this photo, schoolgirls wave goodbye to Army tokko pilots with cherry tree branches. Note that none is wearing a kimono and also note their hairstyle.

During the war years, especially from 1944 until the end, Japanese women, like these in the photo taken in July 1945, wore "monpe", not kimono, since most of them worked in the fields or the factories replacing men.

Dioramas featuring kimono-clad women waving goodbye to their loved ones is becoming fashionable lately, but strictly speaking, this was not the case. Of course, we can't dismiss out of hand the possibility that a Japanese woman went to an airfield in kimono, but it is more likely that it didn't happen. I guess some artistic license can be excused, though.

Again note the hairstyles of the women in the photo, completely different from the woman in the "Tori Factory" set. 

Unfortunately, the CMK kit "Japanese kamikaze pilots", is completely inaccurate. Although in the background Zero fighters are depicted so we are to assume these are Navy pilots, their uniforms are completely wrong. From the boots to the trouser pockets to the top shirt over a belt...

 

On the other hand, the "Ki-21 Japanese crew" set also in 1/72, depicts pilots with flight suits that look more IJNAF than IJAAF. 

Moving on to the 1/48 scale, "Modelkasten" released many years ago a marvellous set of Army and Navy pilots with a schoolgirl waving, exactly as it should be. Totally accurate in every respect but unfortunately a very difficult set to find these days. 

"Legend" has also released a set in 1/48 entitled "Kamikaze's Last Flight Ceremony". There are three figures but they are not specified if they are Army or Navy. They look more like Army to me so be careful with what kind of aircraft you pair them. 

"Hecker & Gorros" has released in 1/48 a set of two Japanese mechanics (I suppose) in their underwear. Not a bad idea but the headgear is IJAAF. There is no reason for Army mechanics to strip down to their underwear to service Army aircraft. Only Navy ground crew did that when they pushed floatplanes into the water.  

"Chino Model" we first saw yesterday with the beautiful pilot figures, has also released Army maintenance crew figures in 1/48 and 1/32. Although the headgear and the uniforms are correct, unfortunately, they wear puttees. アウト！ 

In 1/32 "Black Dog" has release two pilot figures that can be purchased separately or together. They are entitled only as "Japanese Fighter pilot" and not specified if they are Army or Navy, a marketing fail. The flight suits look Army to me so I guess they can be paired with IJAAF aircraft. Again note the weird absence of goggles. 

"Royal Model" has released a figure in 1/32 entitled only "Japanese pilot - WWII" without explaining if he's Army or Navy. In the photo on the right he's standing in front of an Army fighter and his flight suit looks very Army to me. But without mentioning if he's Army or Navy leads to... 

...this (random model I spotted on FB). The poor modeler built and painted a very nice "Ohka" but added an Army pilot next to a Navy aircraft. Big marketing fail from "Royal Model". 

But take heart knowing that there is worse. "Aerobonus" has released two sets of clearly IJNAF pilot figures that they market as suitable to be used with Navy AND Army aircraft. Perhaps they believe all the Japanese pilots in WWII wore exactly the same flight suit?!?! A little research wouldn't hurt guys. 

ICM has included a Japanese pilot in this set in 1:32 but can't really tell if he's supposed to be Army or Navy (marketing fail!). 

"PlayMoreIt3D" has released downloadable sets of three pilots (here we see a set of two. check comment) entitled only as "Japanese WWII pilots", again without specifying if they are Army or Navy (marketing fail!). They look like Navy to me and the positive thing is that they are available in: 1/30 1/35 1/48 1/56 1/72 1/87.