Mitsubishi A6M2-K by Jean Barby

Here are some photos of my latest Eduard work. They have done a very good research on the subject and the kit is first class, but, in some places, a bit tricky. Everything is out-of-the-box and, for an old modeler like me, that's very pleasant. The plane is from the Tsukuba Kokutai based in Kanoya during the Cherry blossom attacks on Okinawa and was flown by Lt.JG Kaneko Tamotsu. Up to now, only Hasegawa had done a A6M2-K model, but here, Eduard has outdone themself. Colors are from Mr Color range and the green is ref C15, the very dark Nakajima green. 

"Toraware no Nihonki" #12 - Mitsubishi Ki-46 "Dinah" with Green Crosses 一〇〇式司令部偵察機, 緑十字

Another Mitsubishi Ki-46 "Dinah" Model 3 Koh adorned with green crosses appears in this frequently reproduced but typically cropped color photograph from the Jeff Ethell Collection. Given that other aircraft are entirely painted white, it appears that in her situation, the painting process may have been incomplete or they might have run out of paint. Interestingly, the "green" cross appears blue in this image, but it might be because of the photo quality. 

Acording to a Japanese source, the site is Irumagawa Airfield but according to Jeff Ethell Collection, it's Matsuyama (松山, now Songshan, Taipei) Air Base, Formosa (Taiwan), 1945 (thank you Gary).

Notable is the range of aircraft models adorned with white green crosses: a Tachikawa Ki-54 Koh, a Mitsubishi Ki-21 "Sally," and two Kawasaki Ki-48 "Lily." Why are there so many green cross planes? As stated in the earlier post, only the planes that were granted permission to operate in certain missions were painted in this manner. What type of tasks would they be given? 

Contrast the range of types with a comparable variety shown in the photo from the previous post. Is it possible the location to be identical?

"Toraware no Nihonki" #11 - Mitsubishi Ki-46 "Dinah" with Green Crosses 一〇〇式司令部偵察機, 緑十字

At the end of war all Japanese aircraft were banned from flying, as stated in one of the surrender conditions. Exceptions were aircraft that were to transport surrender delegations and these planes were to be painted overall white with green crosses instead of hinomaru.

A few years back the attached photo came on sale on Ebay. It features a number of surrender aircraft with a Mitsubishi Ki-46 Model 3 Koh in the foreground. Location is unspecified. The original unit tail marking is partially visible and it could be of the 17 Dokuritsu Chutai (see FAOW #38, p. 46 bottom photo) but I'm not sure because the unit didn't use numbers on its aircraft tails.

Leave a comment if you know more about the location or you have any suggestions about the unit.

"Toraware no Nihonki" #10 - Mitsubishi Ki-46 "Dinah" in KMT markings 一〇〇式司令部偵察機, 中華民国国民政府 - video

...Or "Captured Japanese Aircraft". This is going to be a series of posts that will need "audience participation". Therefore, don’t hesitate to comment and share details about the aircraft discussed in these posts.

First up, a very very short clip cut from the same video we saw in the 27 March 2025 post. It features General Albert Coady Wedemeyer arriving at an airfield in Nanking. Of special interest is the Mitsubishi Ki-46 "Dinah" in the background with Kuomintang (KMT) Nationalist China markings. It looks to be painted in overall white too.

I don't think I've ever seen a "Dinah" in KMT markings. Leave a comment if you know more about this particular aircraft or other "Dinahs" in KMT markings.

Nakajima KO-4 by Grizzly Greybeard; Azur, 1/72

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