Kawasaki Ki-48 "Lily" various details - video

A video I stiched together highlights interesting details of the Kawasaki Ki-48 "Lily", especially the armament and the interior of the aircraft.

It primarily consists of stock footage featuring various aircraft, but presented in this manner, we have the opportunity to examine the different armament combinations.

The standard way for the crew to board this aircraft is to use the footrests and handholds on the rear left side of the fuselage to climb up onto the wing, and then enter through the pilot’s or radio operator’s seat. However, only the bombardier can board directly through the door at the base of the front gunner’s position. But usually, a stepladder would be used so this sequence makes the entrance more dramatic.

The rear dorsal gunner is taking his position.

In case the usual hydraulic operation using high-pressure oil pumps fails, and the landing gear doesn’t lower properly, every aircraft is equipped with a manual hydraulic operation device using a pump.

The process for the “Lily” is: 1. Leave the selector cock as is and lower the leg lever on the hydraulic control box on the port side. 2. Connect the manual pump lever, which is stored in its designated position, to the pump base. 3. Operate it back and forth until the green warning light illuminates. This part of the video shows a passenger performing this operation while sitting on the auxiliary chair to the right of the pilot’s seat.

The black protrusion visible to the right of the radio mount is the formation command signal device, used to transmit signals such as “open the bomb bay” and “drop the bombs” from the leader’s aircraft via yellow, red, and white flip-up signal panels.

The nose gunner in this part is operating a Te-4 machine gun.

While normally "Lilys" were loaded with six 50kg bombs, in this part of the film the particular bomber is loaded with eight 50kg bombs in two rows of four.

Instruments on the top of the instrument panel. The right is the fuel gauge. The left is the altimeter, and the two needles indicate an altitude of 600 meters. The missing instrument in the middle would be the direction finder.

The rear, dorsal gunner operating a Type100 or Type 1 7.9mm twin machine gun

The rear ventral gunner showing his position and gun. In this case it's a Te-4 machine gun.

Another view of the nose gunner, this time operating a Type 98 7.9mm flexible machine gun, a licence copy of the German MG15.

Again the ventral gunner position but this time equipped with a Type 98 machine gun.

Another view of the dorsal position equipped with Type100 or Type 1 7.9mm twin machine gun

A different view of the ventral position.

View from the radio station looking forward. You can clearly see that the cockpit is located to the left. The wall-like structure on the left is the 225L No. 4 fuel tank.

This part shows a radio operator tapping a morse key. However, in actual combat, radio communications were routinely silenced from the moment of takeoff to prevent detection by the enemy. I'm not sure what the instrument with the number "15" on is.

The aircraft in the clip appears to be leaking oil or fuel...

...so the ventral gunner is hanging outside to take a look. I definitely wouldn't like to be doing that.

The radio operator discussing something with the pilot through a speaking tube. The angular goggles are an older model with poor lateral visibility; to address this, the crew began using oval-shaped goggles with curved lenses. The fourth fuel tank is visible on the right, and the radio, secured with rubber bands, can be seen at the bottom left.

The pilot looking completely nonchalant is getting the message about the leaking engine.

Kawasaki Ki-48 "Lily", 75 Sentai - video

The video features a Kawasaki Ki-48 "Lily" belonging to the 75 Sentai as indicated by its tail marking, taxiing from the revetments to the runway. There is only one known photo of a 75 Sentai "Lily" where the tail marking is clearly visible; therefore, this video is really important for the historical documentation of the unit.

Note that the "Lily" at the beginning is not the same as the "Lily" coming behind the building with the visible tail marking. You can tell they are not the same by the position and size of the fuselage hinomaru. But this is how the original video showed the two aircraft in one continuous sequence. In any case, I bet you didn't know the rear gunner's canopy could open in that way.

The 75th Sentai was formed in August 1938 and operated the Kawasaki Ki-48 "Lily" from May 1941 to February 1945. It saw action in China, Malaya, the Dutch East Indies, and the Philippines.

Here's the unit's tail marking when they operated "Lilys", as shown in the official history book of the unit. According to Akimoto, it was based on the number 75; the 1st Chutai used red, the 2nd Chutai used cobalt, and the 3rd Chutai used yellow.

The translation we did below is from the book “Kyu Kyu Soke Kyusenki” (Type 99 Air Battle) by Doi Tsutomu, Kojinsha.

The US forces landed on Mal one of the Ninigo island group, New Guinea, on August 15, 1944 and the Japanese decided to try to intercept the advance of the US to the Philippines. The 75 Sentai based in Amahai on the island of Seram, in the Maluku, Indonesia flew missions on August 25 and 28.

The following is from the diary of 1st Lt Ishishi who first describes how bombing attacks were carried out by "Lily".

After taking off from the airfield we try to reach as soon as possible an altitude of 6000m and we are always prepared to confront enemy aircraft. About 100km before our target airfield, we start to make out the airfield lights. But since the enemy is using radar we know we are spotted when the airfield lights are turned off. At that time we break formation, start flying separately and commence evasive manoeuvres diving and gaining altitude or flying in a zigzag pattern. Flying that way we are able to escape enemy aircraft attacks and although we have encountered P-38s many times we were able to evade their attacks with these manoeuvres. When there are no enemy aircraft there is heavy anti-aircraft fire shaking heavily our plane. Fortunately, until now, they have never managed to hit us. When we are almost above the target we use the air brakes to dive at a 60 degree angle at a speed of 550km/h. When we reach an altitude of 2000m the enemy anti-aircraft guns start shooting at us. Although in high altitude they are inaccurate, at lower altitude there is no way for them to miss, scaring the shit out of us. At 700m the pilot presses the bomb release button, then lifts the nose slowly, retracts the air brakes and at an altitude between 200 and 300 meters escapes at full speed. From the beginning of the diving until the release of the bombs it takes between 40 to 50 seconds.

At that time during night attacks against enemy airfields we used “tadan” bombs with great success. The tadan have a very short fuse that explodes immediately and is basically a 50kg bomb including 76 smaller ones. The carrier bomb after released from the plane immediately breaks apart and the bomblets burst into flame. It is particularly effective to set fire to enemy aircraft lined up on an airfield. It was originally designed to be thrown from a high altitude to enemy bombers below. In the beginning of August together with Watanabe we used these bombs against Owi island with very good results. Although we use different weapons to attack enemy aircraft, the first time I saw enemy planes on fire was when I first saw tadan being used.

On August 28, Ishishi and one more "Lily" from the 3rd Chutai flown by Totsuka were ordered to take off on a mission against Mal island, 500km from their base in Amahai. Here's what Ishishi writes in his diary.

On that day, at 17:30 our two aircraft with eight crew members on board, took off from Amahai airfield. The moonlight was particularly bright and we approached the target from an altitude of 6000m. Right above the target there was a huge thundercloud at 7000m. We tried to find a break through the cloud but we couldn’t find our target so we couldn’t do any dive bombing. The searchlinghts of the airfield tried to spot our planes and we broke formation and started flying separately. We kept losing altitude trying to find an opening through the cloud. I decided to do a low altitude attack below the cloud at about 300m. When we were near Mal island one searchlight found us and immediately all of them were trained towards us. I thought “we've had it” and pushed the engine to full speed. The enemy machine gun bullets gathered against us like arrows sometimes hitting our fuselage. Eventually the enemy airfield appeared before our eyes. About a dozen enemy aircraft with silver wings were parked there, so I pressed the bomb release button and flew over the airfield at full speed at about 100-150m. Mori from the rear seat said “enemy planes on fire”. At that time both engines stopped. There was serious problem with the engine fuel preassure and I decided that there was no way we could make it back to Amahai. So, instead, decided to make an emergency landing at Babo airfield.

 

The 75 Sentai back in Amahai were informed that they did an emergency landing at Babo and a few days later the sentai commander Doi Tsutomu (the author of the book) went to Babo on a "Lily", but the runway was full of bomb crates and had to return to base. The odyssey of Ishishi and his crew continued by travelling on land and it was not until December they managed to return to the base of their unit.

Hasegawa has relleased a "limited edition" kit featuring a "Lily" of the unit. Quite difficult to locate these days.

Kawasaki Ki-48 "Lily" and "Ne0"

The sole prototype Kawasaki Ki-48-II "Lily" with the Ne0 ramjet engine hanging under its fuselage. The pod beneath the fuselage was hollow, with the fuel and nozzle housed within the bomb bay.

As the Second World War intensified, the front lines demanded higher-performance propeller aircraft, leading to increased interest in jet engines. Almost simultaneously with the Navy commencing development of its turbojet engine, designated ‘TR’, the Army and the University of Tokyo Aeronautical Research Institute also established specialised departments and began research.

Engineer Hayashi Teisuke was appointed from the Army's Second Aeronautical Research Institute to lead the jet engine development effort on a one-year contract basis. In mid-November 1942, a team led by Hayashi, comprising nine subordinates from Kawasaki, commenced development. Alongside the main engine concepts proposed by the Tokyo Aviation Research Institute – the Ne* 101 motorjet and the Ne 201 turboprop – it was decided to develop motorjets and turbojets for auxiliary engines. As the characteristics of the engine types were unknown, it was decided to produce both compressor types: axial-flow and centrifugal:

1. ‘Ne1’ two-stage axial-flow motor jet

2. ‘Ne2’ single-stage centrifugal motor jet

3. ‘Ne3’ three-stage axial-flow turbojet

4.  ‘Ne4’ single-stage centrifugal turbojet, and

5.  ‘Ne0’ ramjet for fundamental research.

The Ne1 and Ne2 were auxiliary engine variants of the Caproni Campini-type engine-jet. They were intended for installation either aft of the fuselage in single-engine propeller fighters or behind the engine nacelle in twin-engine propeller aircraft.

The Ne3 and Ne4 were both primarily targeted for installation in single-engine or twin-engine propeller-driven fighters.

Work proceeded at considerable speed, with drawings largely completed within approximately six months. 

The Kawasaki Ne0 ramjet engine.

The Ki-61 "Hien" was proposed as the primary candidate for a test aircraft**, with the Ki-45 Kai "Toryu" twin-engine fighter as the second choice. However, at a time when even a single front-line aircraft was desperately needed, neither could be obtained. Consequently, the slow-speed Ki-48 Type II twin-engine bomber "Lily" had to be used.

To minimise airframe modifications, a design utilising bomb racks to suspend the engine beneath the fuselage was developed with the cooperation of aircraft designers Imachi Isamu and Kitano Jun.

Illustration from Encyclopedia Vol. #IV

Ne0 was finished in November 1943, and on the morning of 23 December 1943, test pilot Kataoka Saizaburo*** took off from Kawasaki with engineers Hayashi and Nozu aboard. However, ignition of the combustor failed, necessitating a landing. After servicing the ignition plug, they took off again in the afternoon.

This time, the combustor ignited easily. The aircraft accelerated, delivering considerable shock to the passenger seats and momentarily causing the nose to pitch up. It then maintained high-speed cruise at an altitude of 800 to 1000 metres for approximately ten minutes before landing.

Subsequent multiple flights reportedly yielded preliminary results. Though abandoned after flight testing concluded, the entire airframe was transferred to the Army's Second Aeronautical Research Institute in July 1944. 

Following Ne0 testing, research focus shifted to two of the four Ne1 to Ne4 variants—Ne3 and Ne4—with ground-running tests conducted on prototypes. However, due to the worsening war situation and the acquisition of engine data from Germany, all development of these Kawasaki jet engines was suspended during the prototype consolidation in July 1944. Consequently, no aerial tests were conducted before the war's end.

Specifications

Ne0

• Type: Ramjet

• Overall length: 2,100mm

• Maximum cross-sectional diameter: 600mm

• Thrust: 60kg (altitude 2,800m)

• Air flow rate: 8.1kg/s (altitude 2,800m)

• Compression ratio: 1.12 (altitude 5,800m, 550km/h)

Ne1

• Type: Motorjet

• Compressor: Two-stage axial flow, contra-flow type

• Length from rear edge of impeller to jet nozzle: 1,050mm

• Outer casing diameter: 600mm

• Thrust: 185.5kg × 2 (altitude 2,800m)

• Airflow: 10.4kg/s (altitude 2,800m)

Ne2

• Type: Motorjet

• Compressor: Single-stage centrifugal

• Thrust: 150kg (planned)

Ne3

• Type: Turbojet

• Overall length: 2,321mm

• Casing outer diameter: 760mm

• Total weight: 309 kg + (casing weight)

• Compressor: 3-stage axial-flow

• Turbine: 1-stage axial-flow

• Thrust: 348 kg (altitude 2,800 m)

• Air flow rate: 14.9 kg/s (altitude 2,800 m)

• Compression ratio: 1.71 (5,800 m, 550 km/h)

• Rotational speed: 8,300 rpm (altitude 2,800 m)

Ne4

• Type: Turbojet

• Overall length: 1,700 mm

• Casing outer diameter: 750 mm

• Total weight: 270 kg + (casing weight)

• Compressor: Single-stage centrifugal

• Turbine: Single-stage axial

• Thrust: 276 kg (altitude 2,800 m)

• Airflow: 10.35 kg/s (altitude 2,800 m)

• Compression Ratio: 1.98 (5,800 m, 550 km/h)

• Rotational Speed: 1,100 rpm (altitude 2,800 m)

*"ネ" (NE) was a common designation used by both the IJAAF and the IJNAF. At the time, both jet and rocket engines were collectively referred to as "燃焼ロケット" ("NEnsho roketo" combustion rockets).

**One can only imagine what a "Hien" would look like with a jet engine on its tail.

***A test pilot for the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force, he was responsible for the maiden flights of prototypes such as the Ki-61-II "Hien" and the Ki-78, manufactured by Kawasaki Aircraft. During the Ki-78 (Ken-3) test flight in January 1944, he recorded a top speed of 699.9 km/h, which remained Japan's speed record until the end of the war.

IJAAF "Te-4" machine gun - Kawasaki Ki-48 "Lily" - video

A very short clip featuring the "Te-4" flexible machine gun installed on the ventral position of a Kawasaki Ki-48 "Lily" light bomber.

Kawasaki Ki-48 "Lily Unit Identified! 九九式双発軽爆撃機 飛行部隊 発見！

Do you remember this Lily we first saw here?

Here are the stills from the clip again.

The stills show the tail marking and the most unusual for an Army aircraft "フ-29" (FU-29); note the repetition of the number 29 on the nose. 

One more photo of the aircraft.

ARAWASI has identified the unit and the correct form of the tail marking!!!

A Japanese POW Interogation Report of a member of the unit, that ARAWASI has spotted first, reveals all!

(Let's see if we'll get any credit when this post will be shared and copied.)

Here's the relative information from the Interogation Report but allow us not to include the name of the POW.

[POW Information]

Rank: Corporal (Flight engineer - ventral gunner)

Unit: 3 Flying Regiment (SENTAI), WATARI 19768 Force (1 Flight, 2 Squadron)

Type of Airplane: 2E-B LILY 2B

Operational Base: LIPA Airfield, LUZON (PHILIPPINE Islands)

Last mission: Skip-bombing attack on Allied shipping in LEYTE Gulf

Where Captured: In mountains, 10-20 km west of TACLOBAN

By whom Captured: Guerrillas, and handed over to American troops

How Captured: While resting and suffering from burns

When Captured: 24 Oct 44.

4. UNIT OR FORCE

3 Flying Regiment LIPA Airfield, LUZON, 23 Oct 44. 

Organization and Strength

Airplanes At OKINAWA unit had 36 2E-B LILY 2B, including three reserves per squadron. However, owing to lack of pilots, only 29 engaged in PHILIPPINES operations. Some pilots were hospitalized at that time, and a few had been killed in crashes. The 29 airplanes were allotted as follows:- 

1 Squadron 11 

2 Squadron 8 (1 Flight - 3, 2 Flight - 3, 3 Flight - 2) 

3 Squadron 10 

Duties of Maintenance Squad (2 Squadron) 1, 2 and 3 Sections Serviced airplanes or 1, 2 and 3 Flights respectively. 

Chain of Command Prisoner thought there were three or four flying divisions in an air army and about the same number of flying brigades in a flying division. 

While stationed on SHIMUSHU Island (KURILE Islands) the main force came under command of 20 Flying Brigade, Northern Expeditionary Army (KITA HAKEN GUN), 1 Flying Division, 1 Air Army. Prisoner thought the depot unit at KARAFUTO was under the control of 52 Training Flying Brigade. The Regiment's PHILIPPINE operational orders were issued by 8 Flying Division. 

Movements When prisoner joined the depot unit at OTANI Airfield in KARAFUTO, Apr 44, the main force was then located at MIYOSHINO Airfield on SHIMUSHU Island (KURILE Islands). There were approximately 100 men, including 65 recruits temporarily assigned for training. 

On 19 Aug 44 entire units of 3 and 67 Flying Regiments, with exception of 65 recruits, moved to OKINAWA North Airfield, thereby coming under command of 6 Flying Division. Unit was engaged in antisubmarine and convoy escort duties there.

While enroute to OKINAWA, unit stopped at GIFU to pick up 36 new LILY 2B. At the same time the tail marking was changed.

The 3rd Sentai with its "Lily" bombers and a different tail marking in Karafuto (South Sakhalin). Photo from the Kikuchi Collection.

Unit began moving to CLARK Field via TAICHU, FORMOSA around 14 Oct 44. Only those personnel necessary to carry out operations were brought to PHILIPPINE Islands, the rest remained in OKINAWA and FORMOSA. It was intended to send for them as well as the reserve airplanes, but none arrived prior to prisoner's last mission. He understood that the unit intended to station maintenance personnel from respective squadrons in OKINAWA, TAICHU (FORMOSA), and at CLARK Field in order to create a greater operational sphere. But while at CLARK Field he heard that due to the Allied landings on LEYTE, this intended plan was to be abandoned and that the balance of the unit was to be assembled in PHILIPPINE Islands. He believed that the entire unit was now assembled there. 

When prisoner arrived at CLARK Field 20 Oct 4h, the main force of approximately 20 LILYs had already left for NEGROS Island under 8 Flying Division orders stating that all units under the 8 Flying Division were to assemble there. Prisoner did not know the reason for this assembly. The main force arrived at LIPA Airfield on 23 Oct 44, and on the following morning left for strike on LEYTE shipping.

Tail Markings LILY 2:

LIPA Airfield: Oct 44. Each airplane was painted on the tail with KATAKANA symbol followed by a zigzag figure and the last two digits of the airplane serial number, as indicated by sketch. 1 Squadron was I (イ) for IIZUKA's Squadron; 2 Squadron FU (フ) for numeral two (FUTATSU) and 3 Squadron NA (ナ) for NAMBA's Squadron. Squadron commanding officer decided on the squadron KATAKANA symbols used.

The color of the zigzag figure, supposedly representing the numeral 3, was yellow for 1 Squadron, red for 2 Squadron and white for 3 Squadron. Background was usually green but some had pale green or a combination of colors. 

Prisoner's sketch of tail marking, of his airplane.

Other tail numbers: used by 2 Squadron were 17, 18, 22, 27 and 72 used by commanding officer 2 flight and 82 used by commanding officer of Squadron.

Other Identifications: Each airplane had its leading edge of wing painted yellow, and the color of spinner corresponded to that of the tail marking.

Prisoner's Last Mission: 

A formation of 24 LILYs, each carrying one 250-kg bomb, left LIPA Airfield at 0600 hours, 24 Oct 44, under orders from 8 Flying Division. No fighter cover was provided. Their prime target was a convoy of approximately 80 troop transports and freighters then approaching LEYTE Gulf. When briefed men were told to avoid the formation of four battleships and seven aircraft carriers which in all probability would form a protective screen east of SULUAN Island. It was understood that the Naval air units were to attack them. Formation arrived over LEYTE at 0805 hours and convoy was seen in the distance.

At 0810 hours, formation was attacked by Grumman fighters at 9,000 ft. Three attacked prisoner's airplane. On the first pass the port wing tank was set afire. On the second pass the pilot was shot through the head, and the airplane went into a steep dive, crashing into swampy jungle. The airplane was crumpled as far back as the rear of the wing roots, and the engines were thrown 50 m. All members of the crew, except prisoner, were killed instantly. He crawled from the tail section and managed to get away from the burning airplane. 

This was prisoner's only combat mission.

Formation on Last Mission 2 and 3 Squadron flew at an altitude of 9,000 ft with 1 Squadron approx 600 ft above the other two squadrons. 

However, soon after leaving the airfield, the airplanes of 3 Flight, 2 Squadron, dropped 1600-1900 ft behind 1 Flight. When the formation arrived over LEYTE, Grumman fighters dived in and attacked prisoner's airplane as shown below.

Signals used in Flight Formation Wireless telegraphy was seldom used. Airplanes of prisoner's unit were equipped with three plexiglass signal rods, painted red, yellow, and blue, each approximately 1 ft long and 3 in wide, which were built in diagonally between the antenna pole and the loop antenna. They had bulbs for night use. 

Pilot raised signal rods by a hand lever. The leading airplane gave the signal and the others acknowledged by following suit. 

Prisoner gave the following signals most frequently used by his unit. 

Red and Yellow "Prepare for action. Crew members assumed their battle positions."

Red "Assume position of attack." Airplanes took line abreast formation, or right or left echelon formation, depending upon the order given for that particular mission. 

Blue and Red "Attack -the target." 

Code Names and Numbers While at KARAFUTO it was NORTHERN 93 Force, but was changed to MAKOTO 19768 Force after arriving in OKINAWA. This was later changed to WATARI 19768 in PHILIPPINES. 

Our good friend Devlin Chouinard created beautiful artwork of the aircraft seen in the clip, with a correct rendition of the tail marking. 

After taking part in the battle of the Philippines, the unit returned to Japan and changed its aircraft and tail marking again. 

See here

"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?

Japanese Airfields, Equipment & more #22 - revised

Various activities at the airfield (IJAAF version). 

Kawasaki Ki-32 "Mary" light bombers are getting a check-over before the next mission. Note the Type 89 Special Twin flexible machine gun operated by the rear gunner.

Changing the tire of a Mitsubishi Ki-21 Model 2 Koh "Sally".

A last engine check of a Kawasaki Ki-48 "Lilly" and a Mitsubishi Ki-51 "Sonia" belonging to the IJAAF school at Gifu.

The Gifu Army Flying School was organised in August 1940 at Kakamigahara, Gifu Prefecture. It was disbanded in March 1942. A year later, the Gifu Rikugun Koku Seibi Gakko (Army Air Maintenance School) was organised based at Kakamigahara with three kyoiku-tai (training units).

The video from the NHK collection is dated March 1, 1944.

Changing the propeller of a Mitsubishi Ki-21 Model 2 Koh "Sally". Note the unpainted front with the red stripes and the black rear.

Changing the whole engine of a Mitsubishi Ki-21 Model 2 Koh "Sally". Note the crane mentioned in a previous post and the efforts of the crew to lift the tail to adjust the plane with the new engine.

Bringing water or tea to a newly arrived pilot with his Nakajima Ki-44 "Shoki".

Japanese Airfields, Equipment & more #16 - revised

Camouflage net

A photo from a vintage publication dated October 8th, 1943, of a Nakajima Ki-43-II Ko.

Another photo taken a few seconds before this one is featured in Model Art #395, p. 79.

According to the caption the plane belonged to the 1st Chutai of the 25th Sentai and the boarding pilot is 1st Lt. Okumura Masao. On August 23, 1943, the 25th took off from their base in Hankou (Hubei province), made a stop in Yichang (Hubei province) and then proceeded to attack the then capital of Nationalist China, Chongqing.

The photo is retouched by the war-time censor and the air intake at the top of the cowling, as well as the machine gun muzzle ports are missing. Nevertheless, this angle still provides interesting information regarding the color of the wheel wells (not aotake), the camouflage pattern and the net that gives plenty of diorama ideas.

A photo from a vintage November 1943 magazine.

A Nakajima Ki-43 "Hayabusa" (Oscar) stationed in the Central China front getting some final maintenance touches before taking off for the next mission.

A photo from the November 1943 issue of the magazine "Koku Asahi" of a Type 100 Command Reconnaissance Aircraft Model 2 or Mitsubishi Ki-46-II "Dinah" taken at the front by reporter Hasegawa. Note the same kind of camouflage net seen in the previous photos and a few coconut tree branches.

The ad in the insert says:

"A1

High-quality superglue

Available everywhere in Japan from aviation-related shops, modelling stores, stationary and pharmacies.

Resin white, 21gr 50sen*

Cellulose red, 14gr 30sen

Distributed by Fujiyama Shoten - Tokyo"

*Sen was the old one-hundredth subdivision of the Yen (1Yen=100Sen).

An NHK video, dated December 18, 1942, featuring a Kawasaki Ki-48 from the 8th Sentai, in Burma. Of course, note the camo net getting removed before the aircraft gets prepped for takeoff.

A Mitsubishi Ki-51 "Sonia", unit unknown, found in Okinawa in 1945 partially covered by a camouflage net. In all probability, it was a decoy placed out in the open to attract the attention of US aircraft. Note that it lacks many essential parts including the landing gear and the engine.

A December 28, 1944 video from the NHK collection excellently presenting a Yokosuka P1Y1 Model 11 "Ginga" (Frances).

The location is most probably the Clark Airfield in the Philippines and the unit could be one of the attack units of the 762 Kokutai. Note the 600-litre drop tanks under each wing and the camo nets covering the whole aircraft.

Mitsubishi A6M Zeros found at Aslito Airfield, Saipan. Note the same camo net covering two of them and the tarp we discussed in a previous post.

Another Zero found in Aslito Airfield, Saipan, parked at an open-top "entaigo" (bomb shelter). Note that the camo net is held into place by rocks on the ground.

The same Zero fighters, found at Aslito Airfield, Saipan, some covered in camouflage net.

Kawasaki Ki-48 "Lily" #10 - 8 Sentai

A news clip today from the NHK collection, dated December 7, 1943, featuring "Lilys" from the 8th Sentai on a mission in Burma.

The clip starts with a "Toryu", the protruding cannon on the nose indicates that it's probably a Ki-45Kai-Hei with a Ho-203, 37mm cannon.

Then a number of 8 Sentai "Lilys" take off.

The first "Lily" has a roughly applied red sentai marking and two dark bands above it; freshly applied red or blue? In the first still they look like they are having white surrounds, in the second they dissapear completely, in the third they look without surrounds. 

Another "Lily" shows the extra machine guns on the nose

The different camouflage pattern and two white bands above the red sentai marking on the tail.

A third "Lily" sports a completely different camouflage with a solid dark top paint, much darker than the green applied on the aircraft above.

Note that all "Lilys" have their canopy frames un-camouflaged, in their original hairyokushoku paint.

This third "Lily" has three white bands above the red tail marking.

The clip most probably refers to a November 29 mission against the Allied airfield in Agartala.

According to Japanese sources, on that day, nine "Lilys" from the 8th Sentai together with 12 "Hayabusa" from the 33rd Sentai and 16 "Hayabusa" of the 50th Sentai, gathered over Meiktila east airfield at 17:35 and headed to Agartala. The Japanese bomber crews claimed five aircraft parked on the airfield burned down. The escort fighters got caught in an air battle with the intercepting Hurricanes. The 33 Sentai claimed two hurricanes shot down, while the 50 Sentai claimed one more Hurricane shot down. On the return flight back to base, one "Lily" from the 8th Sentai, flown by Sgt Maj Nakajima, that was lagging behind, was attacked by enemy fighters and was shot down.

C. Shores in his "Air War over Burma" mentions that:

Monday, 29 November 1943

Japanese raiders were back over the Arakan, 12 Ki 48s escorted by nine Ki 43s drawn from the 33rd and 50th Sentais, raiding Agartala, where 31 Squadron’s detachment’s office was destroyed. Hurricanes of 60, 67, 146, 258 and 261 Squadron scrambled, together with 12 Spitfires of 615 Squadron. 67 Squadron’s 14 Hurricanes were attacked out of the sun, although Sgt Wogencroft was able to claim one Ki 43 damaged. Plt Off Carroll of 615 Squadron claimed one Ki 48 probably destroyed and a fighter damaged, while other pilots from this unit claimed damage to three more fighters. Twelve more Hurricanes from 261 Squadron failed to make contact. 33rd Sentai pilots claimed three victories here, and the 50th Sentai one more, but one Ki 48 of the 8th Sentai flown by Sgt Maj Hirotsugu Nakajima failed to return.