Mitsubishi A6M3 "Hamp", Tainan Kokutai - follow up

Since I'm not a color expert, in a previous post I raised a certain question and Shawn Lydic took the time to answer it in a most clear and thorough manner. 

Our comment exchange was interesting enough to justify a separate post, and yes, I'm fully aware that to all "Zero Maniacs" out there this is a dead horse that has been beaten too many times; nevertheless, I believe there are many who would benefit from some clarification and new, to them, information.

Regardless you agree or not, please, appreciate Shawn's effort to share his knowledge with us and be respectful and polite in your comments, as you always are.

Here's my original photo caption and question:

Mitsubishi A6M3 Model 32, serial number 3028, tail code is "V-187", "Hokoku-870 Kogen-go", Tainan Kokutai. Buna Airfield, New Guinea.

Color, not colorized, photos by Lawrence J. Hickey.

Here's a question for the color experts (I'm not): if the overall "light mustard" or "gray green" or whatever, color has faded to look almost white in this photo, how come the yellow band or the "hokoku" inscription haven't faded too? (the hinomaru are known to be thoroughly painted and stay well-preserved, so I won't mention it)

Shawn Lydic replied:

To show you the true original A6M3 Zero model 32 paint color. Here is some original skin sections that were cut from this exact airframe.

Shawn continued:

Here is another example here in my collection of the original A6M3 Zero "J3 leaning towards Ameiro" exterior surface color. This section is from A6M3 Zero model 32 m/n.3148.

And I asked:

Any idea why the overall color looks like this in the color photo?

To which Shawn replied:

The "J3 leaning towards Ameiro" paint color, is the original A6M2/3 exterior paint color. This paint "oxidizes" quickly in sunlight and sea salt air environments. Which leaves a "whitish/grey" color haze, rough feeling texture to the paint surface. This "whitish" haze could be "buffed" off, back to a shine returning the "J3 leaning towards Amerio" paint color to it's original color.

I can turn this example I have here at a slightly different angle and you can see 👀 the whitish oxidation haze on a portion of my example. Once you hold an example in your hands. This oxidation that is a rough feeling "whitish/grey" haze, will be apparent. Then you will understand the misunderstanding created by this paint that quickly oxidized "whitish/grey".

Here is a photo taken with the flash, to capture the "whitish/grey" oxidation haze that has lead to a common misconception of the original true paint color.

Nicholas Millman wrote a very good book 📖 on the "Early A6M Zero paint color". Even showing how a section of this paint color appears before and after being "buffed" to remove the "whitish/grey" oxidation haze. I hope this explains this very misunderstood Early A6M Zero paint color.

Then I asked Shawn:

I see. So, if I understood you correctly, the original paint ""oxidizes" quickly in sunlight and sea salt air environments" and therefore it looks white-ish in the photo. This doesn't explain the condition of the yellow paint, though. The yellow paint didn't oxidize? And then what is the process to "buff off" the oxidized top layer(?) to show the "original" color? Rub it? Clean it with a solvent? Something else?

And Shawn replied:

yes.... Physical buffing/polishing removed the oxidation haze. The yellow paint band wouldn't oxidize. The yellow paint color would be derived from "yellow zinc chromate" pigments. Which yellow and white zinc chromate is used as a corrosion inhibitor in aircraft grade paints for both WWII Allied and Axis powers aircraft. German 7122 f.flieglack single coat paints are based on yellow and white zinc chromate. These pigment colors have to be "offset" with opposing colors to create the final shade desired. Any Green color paint that would include 25% yellow zinc chromate would have to offset that yellow with "Blue N.C.B." pigments. So.... Yellow paint doesn't oxidize in aviation grade paints, because it is derived from yellow zinc chromate.

Also:

Below is my perfect 👌 condition original example of the "J3 leaning towards Ameiro" paint color. This section was taken from the underside wing/fuselage surface from A6M3 Zero model 32 m/n.3148. This fuselage section sat on neutral PH volcanic ash, devoid of any U.V. Sunlight or water degradation. This example still has the original polished shine of the "J3 leaning towards Ameiro" Early A6M2/3 Zero paint color. There are not many better condition original paint examples remaining today.

Shawn added:

below is the original frame from an 8mm color film 🎥 🎞 taken of this A6M3 Zero model 32 "870". This film was damaged on the left edge. However this is truly the clearest color photo there is of this aircraft.

And finally:

here is 2 photos from 2 different angles and different light sources to show the "whitish/grey" oxidation haze.

Mitsubishi A6M3 "Hamp", Tainan Kokutai

Recently, some "US Army" or "USAF" photos were for sale on eBay, prompting me to compile all the photos I could find in my files on this Mitsubishi A6M3 Model 32, serial number 3028, belonging to the Tainan Kokutai.

The tail code is "V-187" and, according to Japanese sources, the yellow band indicated that it was flown by a "shotai-cho" (section leader).

The aircraft also carries the "hokoku" inscription "Hokoku-870 Kogen-go". Kiri spent quite some time investigating the inscription and she's positive that the plane was donated by the citizens of Kowon County, in South Hamgyong province, North Korea; not "by a civilian volunteer group in Japan" as some online sources claim. It is worth noting that other known "hokoku" aircraft with numbers close to "870" were also donated by groups in Korea; a Japanese colony at the time.  

The aircraft was found abandoned at Buna Airfield, New Guinea, and after its engine was sent to Australia where it was used to build a single A6M3 with tail code "EB-201", the rest gradually fell pray to souvenir collectors.

According to the original caption:

"Members of the 41st Division looking over Japanese Zero which was wrecked on the Old Jap[sic] Air Strip, Buna, Papua, New Guinea by bombing. 11 March 1943."

Color, not colorized, photos by Lawrence J. Hickey.

Here's a question for the color experts (I'm not): if the overall "light mustard" or "gray green" or whatever, color has faded to look almost white in this photo, how come the yellow band or the "hokoku" inscription haven't faded too? (the hinomaru are known to be thoroughly painted and stay well-preserved, so I won't mention it)

The Model 32 had significantly reduced range compared to the Model 21, making round-trip offensive operations from Rabaul to Guadalcanal impossible. The Tainan Kokutai primarily used it for combat operations in eastern New Guinea, particularly around Lae and Buna. This explains why most of the Zero fighters abandoned at Buna were Model 32s.

Edward has released a kit in 1/48 of this specific aircraft; check here . Box artwork by Piotr Forkasiewicz. 

Yokosuka K4Y, Tsuchiura Kokutai, "Kessen no Ozora e" - video

A video excerpt today from the movie "Kessen no Ozora e" (Into the Skies for the Decisive Battle), produced by Toho and released on September 16, 1943.

It was shot with the full cooperation of the Tsuchiura Kokutai and it features, in the beginning, Yokosuka K4Y trainer seaplanes and later, from 02:52, the very rarely seen Watanabe K8W1 seaplane trainer in flight (note the cowling ring and the shape of the tail fin).

We can also sense the training regimen of these young pilots, initially introducing themselves to the commanding officer of the training course and subsequently to the advisor positioned in the front cockpit. Those who completed their training flight write their names and activities for the day on the board.

Here's what we were able to translate of the dialogue:

(Name) Trainee, No. 1 [the number indicated the seaplane]

Airborne operation, co-pilot

[Introducing himself to the instructor]

Trainee Akimoto, co-piloting

Departure preparations complete

Instructor: What about your glasses?

What's in [inaudible, probably instrument pannel]?

Trainee: It's a photograph of my mother.

Instructor: I can see exactly what you're doing over there, you know

Instructor: To your left is the Tone River

To your right front is Mount Tsukuba

Mind your left

Trainee: Yes

Instructor: Pull the control column right and the aircraft banks right

Push it left and it banks left

Push the control column forward and the nose rises

Instructor: Straight right flight, towards Mount Tsukuba, "Yōsorō"*

Trainee: Straight right flight, towards Mount Tsukuba, "Yōsorō"

* "Yōsorō" is used to mean ‘proceed as directed,’ ‘understood,’ or ‘no problem.’ Within the Imperial Japanese Navy, it was used not only aboard ships but also within the air squadrons. While there are various theories regarding the origin of the term, the most widely accepted explanation is that it evolved from ‘yoroshiku sō’ during the late Edo period when ship handling techniques were learned from the West. There is also a theory that it dates back to the era of traditional Japanese sailing vessels.

Mitsubishi MC-20/Ki-57, Japan Airways Co.Ltd

A fairly well-known and very interesting photo, features a Mitsubishi MC-20 or Ki-57 Model 2, with Mitsubishi Ha-102 engines, found at the end of the war at Kumamoto Airfield, Kyoto.

Credit: photo found by Sebastian Sułek at the US Marine Corps archives and forwarded to Arawasi by our friend Danny Jackett (thanks, Danny).

The photo is also included in Joe Picarella's "Japanese Experimental Transport Aircraft of the Pacific War" p. 138.

 Let's see some details.

At the top of the tail there is a red band with a white or yellow border with the kanji "大日航" (DAI NICHI KO) in white, indicating that the aircraft was flown by "Dai Nippon Koku Kabushiki Kaisha" (Japan Airways Co.Ltd).

Almost at the bottom of the tail there is the number "43" in red with a white border. Note that it is painted over the camouflage. On the far right, on the rudder trim tab, we can see the aircraft's serial number applied in black on the uncamouflaged overall paint. I think I can make out a "3" but nothing else.

Curiously, on the rudder, under the camouflage, the aircraft had an older number(?) applied; maybe at the factory? Perhaps an "8"?

The aircraft sports surrender "green crosses" inside white squares, so maybe it was to be used to transport surrender delegations. 

The "green cross" set is not applied over a fuselage hinomaru. "Topsys" often didn't have fuselage hinomaru. If they did, it would have been applied in the area around the small window behind the door. However, this particular aircraft has camouflage applied in that area, so no fuselage hinomaru.

There is also a white band that either wrapped or didn't wrap around the fuselage; there is too much dirt in the lower part of the fuselage to be sure.

Finally, note that the aircraft does not seem to have any "J-" civlian registration applied on the fuselage sides. It would have been applied on the area in front of the fuselage door.

The aircraft sports a typical civilian aircraft anti-glare panel on the nose and the marking of the "Nippon Koku Kabushiki Kaisha" (Japan Airways Co.Ltd) on the nose side in front of the cockpit. An airline's sticker with the company logo is on the right.

Judging from the uncamouflaged area, the aircraft was most probably finished in overall IJAAF "hairyokushoku" (gray green) then received a roughly applied green camo with a spray gun.

Last but not least, the aircraft has a rather unusual radio mast; compare with the more common Ki-57 radio mast on the right. There is also something like a box-shaped object in front of the radio loop antenna.

HEADS UP! - Mitsubishi A5M "Claude" by MARABU DESIGN

Our friend Radek Pelikán from the Czech Republic, just sent over a heads-up announcing the release of a new photoetch set for the Mitsubishi A5M2 "Claude" in 1/72 under his MARABU DESIGN.

There are now two sets in the catalog.

The older M72061 for the Mitsubishi A5M4

And the just released M72065

Looking forward to more Japanese aircraft releases!

Nakajima Ki-27 "Nate", 244 Sentai? - video

An extremely rare and very short video today showcases a Nakajima Ki-27 "Nate" taking off at night on an interception mission. It features a rather fascinating tail marking that has not been included in any publication. 

The source of the video about "anti-aircraft preparedness in Asia" is the Dutch collection of Indonesian/Japanese propaganda films.

Note that in the begining of the video we can see that the cowling lip of the "Nate" is painted red.

Some stills that reveal the tail marking in white. Note the absence of a fuselage hinomaru and the presence of a thin red band.

It is similar to the tail marking of the 4th Sentai, yet it differs significantly.

In 2000, 244 Sentai aficionado Sakurai-san, spotted a photo of a "Nate" with the same tail marking.

He mentions:

"This photo was probably taken at Chofu Airfield around the summer of 1942. The aircraft has white bands around the hinomaru signifying an air defense unit, so it is undoubtedly a plane from the 244th Sentai."

Note that the "Nate" in the video does not have any white bands.

Sakurai-san continues:

"As the design appears to depict the number ‘2’, it may have been an early unit marking for the 244th Sentai.

However, from autumn 1942 onwards, the markings became a simpler design combining a circle with the kanji “二” (two) and ‘四’ (four) [see image on the left]. This may be because, when the 3rd Chutai was added in autumn 1942 and the number of aircraft increased, such elaborate markings were deemed too time-consuming to apply, leading to them being used only briefly or on a limited number of aircraft."

The photo on the right shows the last and most famous tail marking adopted by the 244 Sentai.

From the Japanese Wikipedia we learn:

"In August 1941, [the unit] was formed as the 144th Sentai. In April 1942, following the formation of dedicated air defense units for the Western Japan area (the 246th Sentai for the Kinki region and the 248th Sentai for the Northern Kyushu region), it was redesignated as the 244th Sentai.

From its formation as the 144th Sentai, it was based at the Chofu Army Airfield in Tokyo. Initially equipped with the Type 97 Fighter [Nate], it underwent a type change when the Type 3 Fighter ‘Hien’ was formally adopted in July 1943.

So, taking the above into consideration, could the marking we see in the clip be of a 144 Sentai "Nate", i.e. before the air defense duties were assigned to the unit, then carried briefly the same marking with the addition of the air defense white bands, and then changing to the tail marking we see on the left? Or could it be the marking of a completely different small unit?

Nakajima Ki-27 "Nate", 204 Sentai, "Kato Hayabusa Sento-tai" - video

At the start of the iconic 1944 film "Kato Hayabusa Sento-tai," Colonel Kato (portrayed by actor Fujita Susumu) arrives at the 64 Sentai base in Canton, China, from Taiwan, flying a Nakajima Ki-27 "Nate."

The markings on the fighter show that it belonged to the Kyodo Hiko 204 Sentai.

Let's begin with the unit history. The 204 Sentai is a unit that engaged in significant combat during WWII, yet it remains relatively obscure, probably due to the scarcity of surviving photographic material.

On April 8, 1942, the Kyodo 204 Hiko Sentai (204th Training Squadron), comprising two chutai equipped with Nakajima Ki-27 "Nate" fighters (a third chutai was formed in October), was organised at the Zhenxi Airfield near Hakujoshi (present-day Baicheng) in western Manchuria (present-day Northeast China). Together with the Kyodo 206th Sentai, consisting of two light bomber chutai, it formed the Hakujoshi Kyodo Hikodan (Baichengzi Training Wing). 

In September 1943, due to the attrition of air units fighting in  South Asia, the 204th was also ordered to deploy to the Burma front. After returning to Kashiwa Airfield in Chiba Prefecture in October and converting to Nakajima Ki-43 "Hayabusa" (Oscar) Model II, it arrived at Mingaladon Airfield on the outskirts of Rangoon in late November, via Taiwan, French Indochina, and Singapore. From there, it engaged in the Rangoon Air Battle in early December, the attacks on Calcutta and Tinsukia in India, the assault on Kunming deep within mainland China, and the offensives on Akyab and Maungdaw, achieving considerable results. 

On February 22, 1944, by Army Order No. 24, the Kyodo 204 Hiko Sentai was redesignated as the 204th Sentai and reorganised into a purely combat unit. With the commencement of the Imphal Operation, the 204th, alongside the veteran 50th and 64th Sentai born of the Burma air campaign, fought in various locations, fulfilling its duties well. However, the operation ended in a crushing defeat for the Japanese forces. The 204th withdrew to Don Mueang in Thailand in early August, entering a period of rest and recovery. 

However, by early October, the situation in the Philippine theatre had become critical and the 204 received orders to deploy there. Without sufficient time for full recovery, it moved with 18 aircraft to Nielson Airfield, outside Manila on Luzon Island, on the 11th. During the air battle over Manila on the 15th, six aircraft were shot down early on, and seven more were severely or moderately damaged on the ground, resulting in the loss of the majority of its strength. Nevertheless, it was immediately replenished, and on the 18th, 13 aircraft advanced to Fabrica Airfield on Negros Island. From there, they engaged in ship attacks using bomb armament, the assault on Leyte Island, and convoy escort duties. However, their strength rapidly depleted, and by around November 10, they had no operational aircraft left. 

On the 12th, the unit was ordered to return to the mainland. The survivors arrived at Mito Airfield in Ibaraki Prefecture aboard transport aircraft. During the month-long campaign in the Philippines, the squadron lost 17 pilots. After receiving replacements of Nakajima Ki-43 "Hayabusa" (Oscar)  Model III at Mito and restoring its strength, the 204th was again ordered south. 

By the end of February 1945, it had assembled in Saigon, French Indochina. However, the strength of 24 aircraft upon departure from Mito had dwindled to only about 10 by the time they reached Saigon due to en route breakdowns. The deterioration of equipment from mass production and the decline in crew proficiency were keenly felt. In French Indochina, the squadron primarily provided escort for transport convoys bound for the home islands. In late July, preparing for the decisive battle on the mainland, it moved to Taiwan to join the later-arriving squadrons, but defeat came shortly thereafter.

These two stills from the movie "Kato Hayabusa Sento-tai" give us a very clear impression of the unit's rather atypical marking(s) consisting of a forward pointing "arrow" on the fuselage and, in this case, two white bands and probably the white tip of the tail.

Here's the story behind the forward pointing "arrow". The unit's original base was called "Chinzei" in Japanese and the same kanji were used as an older name for Kyushu Island in Japan. A famous samurai archer, Minamoto no Tametomo who was "known in the epic chronicles as a powerful archer and it is said that he once sunk an entire Taira ship with a single arrow by puncturing its hull below the waterline. It is also added in many legends that his left arm was about 4 inches longer than his right, enabling a longer draw of the arrow, and more powerful shots."(!!!!), used to call himself "Chinzei Hachiro Tametomo" to denote he was from Kyushu. Therefore the 204 unit marking is an illustration of a "hane", the fletches of the traditional Japanese arrow.

Note that the particular aircraft has not uniform top surfaces. Either it's uneven older and weathered paint or more likely it's camouflage (or perhaps a combination of both). The camouflage could be light brown patches over the standard overall IJAAF hairyokushoku (gray green) or mustard yellow and light brown patches. Leave a comment with your thoughts on this.

As we saw in the unit history above, in October 1943, the 204 relocated to Kashiwa Airfield, in Chiba, Japan, to change its "Nates" to "Oscars" before being deployed in Southeast Asia. The film "Kato Hayabusa" premiered in theaters on March 9, 1944, just before the date the 204 updated its aircraft. It seems they discovered an old 204 Sentai "Nate," possibly at Kashiwa Airfield, and just incorporated it into the film.

In these two stills, of interest are the two crossing "lines" on the canopy. What could they be?

In the top still we can also see that the "Nate" is equipped on the wing with a gun camera.

It's a 35mm Type 1 Training gun camera manufactured by "Roku O Sya", later "Konishi-Roku" (modern day Konica). Photo from here: DO NOT FORGET to visit the site!!!

The DNK publication "Nippon Rikugun Sentoki-tai Senreki to Hiko Sentai Shiwa" (The Imperial Japanese Army Fighter Group) features 204 Sentai "Nate" artwork by artist Yoshino Yasutaka. Similar artwork has appeared in various publications in the past but without any accompanying photographic evidence. There is some uncertainty regarding how the various 204 chutai were indicated in the markings. Some Japanese researchers mention that the color of the "hane" changed, indicating 1st Chutai - white, 2nd Chutai - red, 3rd Chutai - yellow. Others explain that the whole marking set changed color depending on the chutai.

In the "Kato Hayabusa" movie, we can see that the "Nate" has two white bands on the fuselage around the "hane." Did that indicate different shotai within the chutai or different chutai? There is just not enough photographic evidence to draw conclusions.

During its deployment in Burma, the "Hayabusa" equipped 204 Sentai continued to use the same unit markings, as indicated by these photos featuring a Nakajima Ki-43 Model 2 Koh Late Type captured by Allied forces in the Lashio region of Burma in March 1945. Note that the wing tips are also painted white, perhaps one more unit marking indicating different chutai?

The same aircraft is featured in these two photos that were on sale on Ebay. Note the absence of bands around the fuselage "hane" but also the presence of a thin white band between the "hane" and the hinomaru which seems to have a very roughly applied border. Note that the white paint on the top wing tips is not repeated on the bottom and the white tipped spinner.

Artist Nohara Shigeru included a profile of this aircraft (?) in Model Art #595. If it's the same aircraft the depiction of the spinner is unfortunately innacurate. Perhaps only the very top photo of the four was available at the time the artwork was created?

According to some sources, the unit changed its markings in February 1944, when it was renamed "204 Sentai." This time, they consisted of a thick band running along the forward edge of the tail and an individual aircraft number on the rudder. Again, it is not exactly clear which color combinations were used to indicate the different chutai. The photo features a Model 3 "Hayabusa" found at Matsuyama Airfield, Taiwan, in August 1945.

Again, artist Nohara Shigeru included a profile of this aircraft in Model Art #595.

Fine Molds has released a kit in 1/48 FC05, that features this particular aircraft on the box cover but note the unfortunate iff stripes not following the shape of the wing's leading edge.

Radek Pelikán spotted in his archive another 204 "Hayabusa" photo, this one believed to be of the unit commander Maj Aizawa Torashiro. Thanks a lot Radek!

Nohara-san also included in Model Art #595 a profile of the aircraft of the above aircraft. 

Finally, Nohara-san created artwork for one more 204 "Hayabusa," featured in Koku Fan Illustrated #42. As before, I don't know of any photos of this aircraft, so I can't confirm the unit markings or the paint scheme.