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.

Mitsubishi Ki-21 "Sally" by Michael Boudreaux

I recently completed this 1/48 model of a Ki-21 with help from your excellent Eagle Eye book. It's one of the best aircraft monographs in my collection and was extremely useful during my build.  

This is the Ki-21a version, built as an early Nakajima produced aircraft. I deleted the side gunners windows to make it as early as possible. 

Markings are from the 60th Sentai, 3rd Chutai bombing China/Manchuria in 1939 and are painted on.

I also riveted the entire airframe using the drawings in the Arawasi book (excellent!).

The interior is painted in MRP Hai ran shoku dark blue, as well as the landing gear wells.  The exterior is painted in AK Real Colors Lacquer Hai Ryoku Shoku and toned with some Mr Color of the same tone (slightly warmer and lighter). Both brands of paint were excellent. I painted the bomb bay in the exterior colors as there are some photos in the Arawasi book that showed very light color in the bomb bay. It definitely wasn't Hai ran shoku dark blue but could also have been aotake or maybe primer but who knows for real.

The airplane is weathered with oil paints but kept pretty light as these aircraft that were seen in the period propaganda films and photos look exceptionally clean.

Thanks again for publishing such an excellent book, and please keep up the good work.  

- Michael Boudreaux, Austin, TX -

What a stunning model! Thank you, Michael, for sending photos of your "Sally." We truly value your positive feedback regarding our publication and we're really happy it was put to good use.

Mitsubishi Ki-21 "Sally", 60 Sentai, Philippines - video

The first "jubakutai" (heavy bomber unit) to take part in the attack against the US forces in the Philippines during the opening days of the Pacific War was the 14th Sentai. It actually flew the very first mission on December 8, 1941, when 18 "Sallys" took off from their base in Chyayi, Taiwan and, at 08:00, released their bombs over their target, Camp John Hay at Baguio in the north of Luzon Island. In early May 1942, the unit returned to Japan to swap their old Model 1 "Sallys" for new Model 2s. 

Consequently, for the assault on the fortified areas of Bataan Peninsula and Corregidor Island, two new "jubakutai," the 60th and 62nd Sentai, moved to Clark Field and initiated operations with heavy ordnance. 

The very first mission took place on March 24, when 26 "Sallys" from the 60th Sentai and 19 from the 62nd Sentai, together with 18 IJNAF bombers from the Takao Kokutai, bombed Corregidor. 

The two units kept flying missions, the 62nd Sentai until April 9 and the 60th Sentai until May 4, two days before Corregidor fell. 

The attached video features 60 Sentai Mitsubishi Ki-21 "Sallys" and their crews based in Clark Field, receiving final instructions for a mission prior to April 3, 1942. 

Note the truck in the background, maybe a Dodge WC?

Note also the very interesting top camouflage with green and brown blotches. Unfortunately for us modelers, all the bombers seen in the video are Model 2s, so we'll have to wait until ICM finds time, amidst the dreadful war they continue enduring, to release this version too.

Yokosuka MXY3 and MXY4 target gliders

Yokosuka MXY3 target glider on top of a Kawanishi E7K1 "Alf" floatplane

For a long period, the Imperial Japanese Navy employed only streamers as aerial targets. However, in the autumn of 1937, it was proposed to utilise gliders as targets for anti-aircraft gunnery training. Under the guidance of Engineer Yamana Masao, the prototype was developed by the Aircraft Division of the Naval Air Arsenal with Engineer Yamamoto Haruyuki as chief designer. A frame was constructed atop the wings of a Kawanishi E7K "Alf" floatplane, attaching a bomb release mechanism facing upwards. The target glider was placed on this frame, designed to detach at the required altitude and glide straight ahead for as long as possible. The first prototype underwent detachment test flights at the mouth of Tokyo Bay in early 1938. Subsequently, aircraft built at the Chigasaki Works exhibited variations in stability and lacked straight-line tracking. This issue was resolved by equipping the fuselage with a control system (for the rudder) utilising the gyro-type steering mechanism from torpedoes as autopilot system. The cruising speed was 85 kt (157.4 km/h). The MXY3 modified type was redesigned with a flat elliptical cross-section fuselage and painted yellow to ensure visibility for the gunner. Production initially took place at the Chigasaki Works, later at Kawai Musical Instruments in Hamamatsu, but proved cumbersome to fly and yielded poor training results relative to effort. Furthermore, as one aircraft was discarded after each use, it was not employed for long and was not formally adopted. Approximately 30 units were produced. 

Yokosuka MXY4 target glider on top of a Kawanishi E7K2 "Alf" floatplane

In 1940, following the MXY3 gliding target aircraft, a radio-controlled powered target aircraft was requested for the Combined Fleet's anti-aircraft gunnery training.

At the Naval Air Arsenal, Engineer Haruyuki Yamamoto was again appointed chief engineer. A prototype was developed by enlarging the MXY3, equipping it with an AVA-4H 32EP engine and twin pontoons. Like the MXY3, this aircraft used the Kawanishi E7K "Alf" floatplane as its carrier. It detached at an altitude of approximately 3,000 metres and a speed of 65 knots. After detachment, it performed powered flight via radio control at the same altitude. If high-angle shells failed to hit it, it would glide to a sea landing for recovery. 

Following preliminary and operational trials off Yokosuka and in Saeki Bay, the aircraft was adopted for use as a training target for the Combined Fleet. Initially designated the "Type 1 Target Drone", it was later designated the "Type 1 Target Drone Model 11". Formal adoption occurred in May 1942. Production took place at the Mizuno Glider Manufacturing Works in Osaka, with the cooperation of engineers Maeda Kenichi and Kimura Kan'ichi. Later, production also commenced at Toyo Metal and Woodworking in Itami. The engine fitted was the "Semi Type 11", a domesticated version of the French AVA-4H air-cooled, horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine, originally intended for the "Hibari" type light aircraft (Pou du Ciel).

This aircraft can be considered a precursor to today's target planes. It was highly practical, and with further development, it showed promise as a ground-attack guided missile. Initially, the requirement for a fuselage size comparable to a fighter made it somewhat oversized for a target drone, but its radio controllability was good, and it can be considered a success. Later, it gained attention as one of the items proposed by the Japanese side in technical exchanges with Germany. However, as the war intensified, it gradually fell out of use. 

In the MXY series of research experimental aircraft and special gliders developed at the Naval Air Arsenal (established in 1932) and the Naval Air Technical Arsenal (established in October 1941), M denotes special aircraft, X denotes prototype, Y denotes Yokosuka Air Arsenal/Air Technical Arsenal. 

2026

2026, the year of the horse

The Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac signifies energy, freedom, action, and progress, encouraging bold moves, adventure, and taking initiative. As horses always move forward, they symbolise development, growth, and the fruition of effort.

明けましておめでとうございます。

今年もよろしくお願いします。

ARAWASI　Facebookにたくさんの方々が来てくれてくれて本当に嬉しく思っています。皆様のコメントなどに続ける力をもらっています。これからもARAWASIをお願いいたします。

This year our FB page reached 15K followers! A big thank you to all of you who contributed, left a message or even a thumbs-up that encouraged us so much.

As always, a HUGE "thank you" to our good friends:

Alex Angelopoulos, Sinang Aribowo, James Boyd, Sam Bueler, Devlin Chouinard, Jan Kaňov, Zygmunt Szeremeta, Eric Vogel, "Sayabu", "Sato Nobuhiko", Yanagisawa Koji, Yokokawa Yuichi and Kojima Masaki. 

Also to: Jean Barby, Patrice Fresnel, Michael Thurow, Lukáš Ondák, Sergio L. de H. Teixeira, BaronVonRob, Jan Voorbij, Dizzyfugu, Dan Salamone, Bill Bosworth and everybody else who contributed to this blog and supported us.

Music

Nakajima Ki-44 "Shoki", 87 Sentai

A quite interesting photo from the Dutch archives has been circulating online lately, showcasing a Nakajima Ki-44 "Shoki" belonging to the 87 Sentai.

The aircraft had originally suffered a forced landing with the propeller blades bent and was found by Allied forces at the end of the war. The tail features the unit's marking, most probably in red, indicating that it belonged to the 2nd Chutai of the unit. Note that it has a white border. The individual aircraft number "72" is also applied on the bottom of the tail. Note also the iff stripe following the shape of the wind leading edge. The spinner does not seem to be the same color as the unit marking, and the aircraft doesn't seem to have any anti-glare panel; if it does, it's very faint and could have been overpainted with the top camouflage. Last but not least, note that the fuselage hinomaru has a white border, but the wing hinomaru doesn't. Some online commentators mentioned that the aircraft was flown by "Lt. Hideaki Inayama" ; nevertheless...

...Nagao-san of Lifelike Decals, has included a decal set for Inayama's aircraft in the "Nakajima Ki-44 Part 1", 48-036 set, with plenty of information. Since Inayama's plane has been, I guess, traditionally(?) been identified as carrying the number "25" and a blue diagonal band, we can safely conclude that the "Shoki" in the previous photo was not flown by Inayama but by a different pilot in the unit.

Here's another photo of the Nakajima Ki-44-II "Shoki" of the 87 Sentai seen in the top photo, taken at a later date. It had had some panels removed, perhaps by trophy hunters, the rear part of the canopy is missing and the fabric-covered rudder has deteriorated.

There are more 87 Sentai Nakajima Ki-44-II "Shoki" photos online. This one is even more interesting as it has wing hinomaru with white bands and the fuselage hinomaru surrounded by a white box! The tail marking could also be in red indicating a 2nd Chutai or in yellow showing that it belonged to the 3rd Chutai. I'm leaning towards a red, 2nd Chutai aircraft since it seems to have a white border (if it were yellow, it wouldn't need a white border). The number on the tail is probably "85" but I'm sure there will be some who disagree. In any case, we can see two details that need correcting with the Lifelike illustration of the Inayama aircraft. First, the red unit tail marking needs a white border and second, the "25" should have been repeated on the bottom of the rudder.

As for the overall color of the "Shoki" in the photo, it's anyone's guess. Perhaps brown?

A Tachikawa Ki-36 "Ida" is also in the foreground and a Mitsubishi Ki-21 "Sally" behind the "Shoki".

One more photo of a 87 Sentai Nakajima Ki-44-II "Shoki" I spotted online. This one is missing its tail number. It seems that some aircraft of the unit had their tail numbers applied a bit spaciously with half the number on the rudder and half on the tail, while other numbers were more tightly spaced, applied only on the rudder. This "Shoki" has an unusual white box surround on the fuselage hinomaru as well and, this time, it definitely belongs to the 2nd Chutai, as indicated by the unit marking in red.

Here's a brief history of the unit.

The 87 Sentai was organized on March 1, 1941, in Harbin, Manchuria (present-day Northeast China). It remained stationed in the area after the outbreak of the Pacific War, continuing training in preparation for operations against the Soviet Union.

From late 1942 to early 1943, the squadron underwent reorganisation to the Nakajima Ki-44 "Shoki" Model 2. Half were the Ki-44-II Hei equipped with two 40mm cannons.

In July, the sentai transferred to Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture, and was soon ordered to provide air defence for the Palembang Oil Refinery.

Enjoying a period of calm and ample fuel supplies, the sentai continued its training. However, in May 1944, it was temporarily redeployed to Burma to participated in the Imphal Operation.

During engagements with P-51s and other aircraft, the unit lost a quarter of its operational aircraft and suffered six fatalities. 

Returning to Palembang, the 87 again worked to rebuild its strength during a period of relative calm and by the end of August possessed 52 aircraft. Whilst other units were successively committed to the battle in the Philippines that autumn of 1944, the 87 remained in Palembang, defending the oil refinery.

The situation finally seemed to change in January 1940, when air raids by carrier-based aircraft from a British fleet departing Ceylon occurred. The 87 Sentai engaged in aerial combat against over a hundred Avengers, Hellcats, Corsairs, and Supermarine Seafire launched from four British carriers.

The British carrier-based aircraft, bravely penetrating the air defences reinforced by barrage balloons and anti-aircraft guns,

repeatedly bombed the oil refinery, inflicting heavy damage. The sentai intercepted with full force and cooperating with anti-aircraft artillery units, claimed to have shot down 50 aircraft (British records indicate 41 aircraft lost).

HEADS UP! Aichi D3A2 "Val" by Wingsy in 1/48

Dear Friends

First of all, we wish you Happy Holidays and from the bottom of our hearts wish you good health, prosperity in your homes, and peaceful skies above in the coming 2026! May the New Year bring you and your loved ones many cozy evenings, exciting events, and the fulfillment of all your cherished dreams!

We are also pleased to announce that we have finally completed all work on our new 1/48 scale D3A2 "Val" model. Working in Ukraine is not the easiest of challenges right now, but we did it! Happy Builds!

Once again, Happy Holidays!

The Wingsy Kits team. 

Link: HERE!

Huge congratulations to Wingsy with plenty of love from Arawasi!

And thank you D. and Jan for the heads-up.