Artist - Vladimir Martinicky (10)

The latest work by Vladimir Martinicky from Slovakia, features a Kawasaki Ki-100 belonging to the 5th Sentai and flown by sentai commander Capt Baba Yasuhide. Found at Gifu, Japan, in 1945.

Artwork - Mizuno "Shinryu II" by Senshi-Isamu - Nipponki '46

Fantastic CG artwork by Senshi-Isamu depicting the very little known project-only Mizuno "Shinryu II".

"Camouflage of the 256th Kokutai."

"Camouflage of the 302nd Kokutai."

Artwork - Twin "Raiden" by Jimbowyrick1 - Nipponki '46

 It's been quite some years since we last posted some "what-if" artwork, we call on this blog "Nipponki '46". I recently spotted on deviant art a nice idea by Jimbowyrick1, here. 

The project is part of a whole what-if war scenario and the artist explains:

Ve-Mi J33-33 Twin Raiden

Illustration for the up-coming KZK* 1/32nd scale Veeblefitzer-Mitsubishi Ve-Mi J33 "Twin Raiden" series.

Depicted, ascending outrageously fast, such as about 400 mph, going up, at a 30 deg' angle, is the ship belonging to Group Captain Tofu Maru, of the famous 8th Naval Kingdom of Japan Air Forces, based in Outdonesia, a small state of Indonesia, during those horrible years, of the War in the Pacific.

Professor Anton Veeblefitzer, seeing the potential of welding multiple engines and a couple of aircraft, together, dreamed up this insanity, the Veeblefitzer-Mitsubichi Twin Raiden!

The mad Prof' started by taking four Mitsubishi Kase-23 radial engines, each rated at 1,820 max hp. He welded two together, front-to-back, creating a single engine that could produce 3,640 max hp (!).  These two monsters were bolted to the fronts of two standard Mitsubishi J2M Raiden fuselages, and then a stout center-wing connected the two. This arrangement gave the prototype a total of 10,480 max hp (!!!!).

Maximum speed was, before disintegrating from extreme air stresses, 567 mph (!!!!).

Armament, for most production versions, titled Veeblefitzer-Mitsubishi J33 2-to-33 series, "Twin Raiden (Thunderbolt)" was 10 x Ho-7b 20 mm cannon. Six weapons were wing mounted, and four located above the forward fuselage. External stores could range from rockets to bombs, fuel cells. The small cylinder beneath the center wing is a sophisticated radar/computer that is able to automatically fire the cannon, and/or the rockets and bombs, when the aircraft is in a near-perfect position to score reliable hits.

This capability was essential in helping the KOJ, and her allies, keep the wicked BCE air forces at bay.  The rate of attrition, during the War in the Pacific, was horrific, for both sides.  The average life span, for ALL combatant air crews was usually 2.5 weeks ..., at Best.

The new aiming system improved successful results by 72.3 % and helped to result in the KOJ surviving that terrible slaughter: The Battle of Komodo Island.

Critical areas had armor plate and fire extinguishers were abundant.  

Ferry range, unloaded, was 3,000 miles. A set of tough rubber fuel bladders filled the area behind the engine on the left fuselage providing exhaustive amounts of pure-as-the-driven-snow, 280 Octane fuel!  

And the Japanese loved to decorate their craft, with Kabuki mask images, etc.

Although there are various details that don't sit well with historical Japanese aircraft, the whole idea is not that impossible. It reminds me a lot of a couple "Kogiken" plans for twin fighters or reconnaissance aircraft designs. A twin "Raiden" could perform as a heavy interceptor, with heavy cannon armament and even air-to-air rockets. Difficult to see it in the bomber role, though. 

I think I will try to build a kit. I'm inspired!

Artist - Alvaro Lino

Alvaro Lino, a WWII Japanese aviation enthusiast and aviation artist from Brazil, sent over an brilliant pencil drawing he did last year depicting a pair of CAP Zeros from the IJN aircraft carrier Zuikaku. Enjoy!

Artist - Vladimir Martinicky (9)

The latest work by Vladimir features a Yokosuka K5Y2 "Akatonbo" (Willow), or as the Japanese used to call it "getabaki akatonbo" (a red dragonfly wearing geta), belonging to the Otsu Kokutai.

Artist - Vladimir Martinicky (8)

The latest work by Vladimir features a Navy Type 0 Reconnaissance Seaplane or Aichi E13A1 "Jake" belonging to the heavy cruiser Atago, November 1940~1941.

 

 

Wind Swords added:

This particular aircraft (JII-1) was reassigned to the heavy cruiser Chikuma in December 1941 and it along with another E13A1 from the heavy cruiser Tone (tail code JI-1) conducted a reconnaissance flight of Pearl Harbor.

Artist - Vladimir Martinicky (7)

The latest work by Vladimir features a Navy Type 94 Reconnaissance Seaplane or Kawanishi E7K2 "Alf".

 

A photo of this floatplane is on p.36 of FAOW#47. According to the caption the photo was taken on the first half of 1942, in Singapore, Seletar port. The "Alf" belongs to the cruiser Kashii, flagship of the 1st South Fleet. The tail marking UI-1 was used from December 1941 until June 1942.

The combined fleet site mentions:

11 April 1942:
Singapore. KASHII is assigned as the flagship of Vice Admiral Ozawa's First Southern Expeditionary Fleet, Malay Force. Assigned guardship duties.

Artist - Vladimir Martinicky (6)

The latest work by Vladimir features a beautiful Kawasaki Ki-61 IIkai, of the 56th Sentai.
Enjoy!

Artist - Murakami Matsujiro

An artistic print entitled "Take off in high spirits" found in the November 1944 issue of the vintage magazine "Koku Shonen". Created by artist Murakami Matsujiro it features a Kawanishi H8K "Emily" flying boat or as is more commonly known in Japan, "Nishiki Taitei" . 

For more on the artist check the older post, here.

 

Artist - Vladimir Martinicky (5)

Vladimir sent over three brilliant paintings this time featuring IJAAF fighters. Enjoy!

Check his past work, here, here, here & here.

Moc ďakujem.

 

Artist - Danilo Renzulli

Our good friend Danilo Renzulli is known for his work with Windsock Datafiles. He recently uploaded some of the paintings he has created over the years on his personal webspace. Take a look HERE for some absolutely stunning aviation artwork. 

 

Artist - Vladimir Martinicky (4)

Another beautiful painting by Mr. Vladimir Martinicky, this time a Mitsubishi A6M2b model 21 Zero, Zuikaku aircraft carrier.

Moc ďakujem.

 

 

 

Juan Carlos Castilla from Mexico City asked: I know that the full name of the Japanese fighter Mitsubishi A6M is rei-shiki kanjō sentōki but I was wondering, how would you say or pronounce Model 21 or Model 32, in Japanese?

Answer: Nijūichi Gata (Model 21), Sanjūni Gata (Model 32), Gojūni Gata (Model 52).

The word Model is translated as Gata, Type is Shiki.

Be careful to pronounce kanjō correctly with an English J, because kanchō means enema!

Artist - Vladimir Martinicky (3)

The first 2017 painting by Mr. Vladimir Martinicky from Slovakia has for its subject an Aichi D3A-1 "Val", Zuikaku aircraft carrier.

Moc ďakujem.
Check HERE and HERE for more art by Mr. Martinicky.

Artist - Vladimir Martinicky (2)

The latest painting by Mr. Vladimir Martinicky from Slovakia has for its subject a Nakajima B5N2 "Kate" of the Shokaku aircraft carrier during the Battle of the Coral sea. Amazing work in brush and temperas.
Moc ďakujem.
Check HERE for more art by Mr. Martinicky.

Aichi D1A1 - Hokoku #85 - Artist Murakami Matsujiro

Hokoku #85 was a Type 94 Carrier Dive-bombers or Aichi D1A1 donated on October 30, 1935 by All-Japan Teachers' Association receiving the name "Kyoiku-go" (education). The beautiful painting of the vintage postcard was created by artist Murakami Matsujiro. Born in Tokyo in 1897 he started creating illustrations for military and children action novels around 1925 specialising in navy battles and ships. He participated in various war art exhibitions and passed away in 1962.

 

Aichi D1A2 - Hokoku #131

Two photos, from a vintage publication, today featuring Type 96 Carrier Dive-Bomber or Aichi D1A2 Hokoku #131. The aircraft was donated to the Navy by the Citizen's Association of Ginza (a bigger organization than the chonaikai) in a ceremony that took place in Haneda airport on October 30, 1937.   

Our good friend Zygmunt Szeremeta sent over artwork.

Artist Kabashima Katsuichi - 97 kanko

Another stunning pen illustration by artist Kabashima Katsuichi from a vintage, October 1944, publication, entitled: "The battle for the annihilation of the enemy's combined fleet".

It features a number of Type 97 Carrier Attack Bomber or Nakajima B5N. In Japanese it is usually referred as "kyu nana kanko" (kyu-9 nana-7 shiki-Type kanjo-Carrier kogeki-Attack ki-Plane).

 

Artist - Vladimir Martinicky

Mr. Vladimir Martinicky from Slovakia kindly shared with us his excellent artwork collection of Japanese aircraft. He is working with brush and temperas. Moc ďakujem.

 

Artist Kabashima Katsuichi - Akatsuki no Shutsugeki

"Tomorrow morning at ? o'clock, attack the ? enemy base." The CO gave this order late last night. When this order was given, the beloved planes had just returned to the base to rest after doing their best all this time with no pause. The ground crews jumped on the planes preparing them all night to be ready for take-off. Our unrivalled Shoki are taking off in a large formation to attack a faraway enemy base. The "GOW GOW" sound of the engines signify their good condition and lift the spirits of our Wild Eagles. The unrivalled Shoki are taking off in the morning sky to face any number of enemies.

 

The above is the text accompanying another beautiful pen illustration entitled: "Early morning sortie" by artist Kabashima Katsuichi from a vintage, November 1944, publication,

Artist Kabashima Katsuichi - Sokei

Beautiful pen illustration by artist Kabashima Katsuichi from a vintage, July 1942, publication, entitled: "Flying over the nountains of Arakan, sokei are attacking India". "Sokei" is the nickname of the Kawasaki Ki-48 "Lilly", from the Japanese designation "Kyu kyu shiki Sokei bakugekiki" (Type 99 Twin-engine light bomber). The "双" (so) part means "twin" while "軽" (kei) means "light".