Vintage magazine cover

"Daitowa Sensho Gaho", October 1943 issue 

Mitsubishi A5M4-K by Chas Bunch

Here's some pics of my Classic Airframes A5M4-K "Claude" in 1:48. A nice kit, I only added wiring and pushrod tubes to the engine, Eduard color Japanese belts, and scratch built instrument panels. Hand matched Model Master paint and kit decals.

-Chas Bunch-

 

Japanese X-plane Library #1

Title: "Nihon Riku-Kaigun Shisaku / Keikakuki"

(The X-planes of the Imperial Japanese Army & Navy)

Author: Nohara Shigeru

Published by: Green Arrow 1999 p/b, Out-of-print

Pages: 300, Size: 18X26cm, Photos: 234 b/w, Illustrations: on almost every page.

The X-plane bible!!! The absolutely necessary book for every X-planes fan and Japanese airplane researcher. All the lesser known types and prototypes are included here accompanied with photos wherever possible and illustrations. Here a list of the types covered:

IJAAF - Mitsubishi 2MB2, Rikugun 3-seat Experimental light bomber, Ishikawajima CM-1 (R-1), Rikugun Experimental Model 3 Fighter, Mitsubishi 2MR1, Mitsubishi 1MF2, Ishikawajima T-2, Ishikawajima T-3, Nakajima N-35, Nakajima Bulldog, Kawasaki KDA-3, Ishikawajima R-2, Ishikawajima R-3, Mitsubishi 2MR7, Ishikawajima R-5, Mitsubishi Ki-7, Kawasaki KDA-6, Kawasaki Ki-5, Nakajima Ki-8, Nakajima Ki-11, Nakajima Ki-12, Mitsubishi Ki-18, Mitsubishi Ki-33, Nakajima Ki-19, Kawasaki Ki-28, Kawasaki Ki-45 (prototypes), Mitsubishi Ki-46-IV, Nakajima Ki-58, Kawasaki Ki-60, Kawasaki Ki-64, Tachikawa Ki-70, Manpi Ki-71, Tachikawa Ki-74, Tachikawa Ki-77 (A-26), Kawasaki Ki-78 (Ken 3), Mitsubishi Ki-83, Nakajima Ki-87, Kawasaki Ki-88, Kawasaki Ki-91, Tachikawa Ki-92, Rikugun Ki-93, Tachikawa Ki-94, Kawasaki Ki-96, Manpi Ki-98, Kawasaki Ki-100-II, Kawasaki Ki-102, Kokusai Ki-105, Tachikawa Ki-106, Tokyo Ki-107, Kawasaki Ki-108, Mitsubishi Ki-109, Nakajima Ki-115, Nakajima/Manpi Ki-113, Ki-116, Ki-117, Kawasaki Ki-119, Nakajima Ki-201, Tachikawa "TaGo" and some of the Kokugen plans in brief.

IJNAF - Yokosho 1Go, Rohrbach R-Go, Kaibo Gikai KB, Kawasaki KDN-1, Mitsubishi 1MF9, Mitsubishi 2MR5, Nakajima E4N1, Kawanishi K11, Aichi AB-3, Aichi AB-4, Kokusho Type91 Intermediate Trainer, Nakajima NAF-1, Mitsubishi 1MF10, Mitsubishi 2MT10, Nakajima NAF-2, Mitsubishi KA-8, Kawanishi E8K1, Mitsubishi KA-9, Mitsubishi KA-14, Hirosho G2H, Nakajima B4N, Nakajima LB2, Mitsubishi KA-12 B4M, Kawanishi E10K, Kawanishi K6K, Watanabe K6W, Aichi F1A, Mitsubishi K7M, Kawanishi E11K, Aichi E12A, Kawanishi E13K, Watanabe K8W, Nippi K8Ni, Nippi L7P, Nakajima G5N, Mitsubishi A5M3, Aichi M6A, Aichi M6A1-K, Kyushu Q1W, Nakajima J5N, Mitsubishi A7M, Yokosuka P1Y1-S, Mitsubishi J2M4, Kyushu J7W, Nakajima G8N, Yokosuka D3Y, Mitsubishi Q2M, Yokosuka R2Y, Kawanishi J6K, Kawanishi H11K, Mitsubishi A6M8, Nakajima "Fugaku", Aichi S1A, Mitsubishi J8M, Nakajima "Kikka", Yokosuka "Ohka". Kawanishi "Baika", Nakajima "Tohka", Yokosuka MXY1 & MXY5.

The book is all in Japanese, out-of-print and not easy to find but occasionally we have an extra copy or two around. Our price is $US50. Email us for availability.  

Collector's items

Sunny, Mitsubishi Ki-46-III "Dinah", 1:48

Kogure/Bandai, Yokosuka D4Y2 "Suisei",  1:40

Kogure/Bandai, Mitsubishi A6M5, 1:48

Shizuoka Hobby, Mitsubishi A6M3, 1:72

Shizuoka Hobby, Nakajima Ki-84 "Hayate", 1:72

Shizuoka Hobby, Nakajima Ki-44 "Shoki", 1:72

Marusan, Aichi E13A1 "Jake", 1:50

Ikko, Aichi B7A "Ryusei", 1:72

High Planes Models (Australia), Kawanishi N1K1 "Kyofu", 1:72

Nichimo, Kawasaki Ki-61-II "Hien" 1:70

Mitsuwa Model, Mitsubishi Ki-46 "Dinah", 1:144

3 in 1

A Type 97 Fighter or Nakajima Ki-27 "Nate", a Type 97 Command Reconnaissance or Mitsubishi Ki-15-I "Babs" and a Type 98 Direct Co-operation/Reconnaissance or Tachikawa Ki-36 "Ida" in this photo from a vintage magazine, demonstrating the differences in the design philosophy of the three major IJAAF aircraft producing companies visible in the cowling shapes.

Mitsubishi 2MRT1 "Gingami Hikoki"

On October 21, 1934 a big ceremony was held to celebrate the purchase of three aircraft by "Dai Nippon Giyu Hikokai" (Great Japan Volunteer Aircraft Association). It was the result of an admirable effort by children from all over the country to gather the funds for these aircraft by collecting no less than 52 tons of tin foil from cigarette packs and toothpaste tubes. The slogan of the campaign was "Every year 1,500 aircraft and 1,000 pilots" and was supported by star pilot of the time Baron Narahara (see future post). Even more amazing than the purchase of the three aircraft was the fact that the amount gathered was enough to build an airfield! It was located in Atsugi, Kanagawa Prefecture on the bank of Sagami river built by volunteers living in the area who cleaned up the rocks and worked to pave the field. It was nicknamed "Giyu Hikojo" (Volunteer Airfield) and the three aircraft became appropriately known as "Gingami Hikoki" (Tin Foil Airplanes).

The photo above, from a vintage publication, was taken during the ceremony which started at 11:00 with an opening speech by Baron Narahara. It was attended by Prince Kaya-no-miya Kuninaga and Kaya-no-miya Harunori and included flights of the three aircraft as well as a parachute drop by Ms Nishiyama Sumiko before ending at 13:30. The aircraft on the ground is a Navy Type 10 Carrier Reconnaissance or Mitsubishi 2MRT1, registration J-BGAD, while the one flying above is probably an Avro Roe 504 K/L Trainer but the registration is not clear.

Although the whole "Giyu Hikokai" effort was very promising appealing to teenagers interested in aviation, as with so many things Japanese aviation related, within a year from the opening ceremony was plagued by personal strife that resulted in the resignation of Baron Narahara and the dissolution of the association. Since the airfield was built on a river bank it was soon hit by floods, was abandoned and now there is absolutely nothing left in the area. An inglorious end to a brave effort.       

Nipponki '46 (and beyond) – North Korean "Raiden"

Artwork by Devlin Chouinard

Side view of the personal fighter of the "Eternal President" of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, a.k.a. North Korea, Kim Il-Sung*.

He was trained to fly Mitsubishi J2M "Raiden by Soviets in Khabarovsk around 1941 as part of the program to train Korean guerrillas in the use of captured Japanese equipment. According to Soviet instructors he had trouble fitting into the cockpit but once inside he was able to perform manoeuvres unthinkable with this kind of aircraft.

During the Korean War he was credited with intercepting US B-29s carrying biological weapons and thus saving the population of Pyongyang. It was during one of these flights that he was inspired to create the flower Kimjongilia.

Finally shot down when bounced by no less than 25 F-86 Sabres. The "Great Leader" showing exceptional flying skills, managed to escape completely unhurt and make an emergency landing near a corn field where he met his second wife, chairwoman of the Central Committee of the Korean Women's Association, Kim Sung-ae.

Unfortunately his Raiden was damaged beyond repair but it was restored and is now on exhibition HERE. We kindly request visitors to send us photos.

The marking on the fuselage sides and the wings is the banner of the "Worker's Party of Korea" surrounded by a red star, symbolising the unity between the Soviet and Korean proletariat. The three objects in the banner are a hammer for the industrial workers, a kama for the rice growing peasants and a fude (ink brush) for the intelligentsia. The tail marking consists of portraits of (R to L) Mao Zedong, Joseph Stalin, Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, Friedrich Engels and Karl Marx. The inscription on the cowling side means: "Air Comrade Number One".

Note the Soviet Nudelman N-37, 37 mm (1.46 in), cannon in the gondola under the wing instead of the two Type 99, Oerlikon 20mm, cannons.

Who said Japanese planes can't be fun.

*Kim Il-sung outlived Joseph Stalin by four decades, Mao Zedong by two, and remained in power (9 September 1948 – 8 July 1994) during the terms of office of six South Korean presidents, seven Soviet leaders, ten U.S. presidents, 14 UK Prime Ministers, 21 Japanese PMs and 35 Greek PMs.

Library - Model Art #553 I.J.N. Carrier Attack Bomber

If you are into Pearl Harbor, Midway and other Carrier battles, then Model Art #553 I.J.N. Carrier Attack Bomber by Nohara Shigeru, published by Model Art February 2000, is one of the most important regarding Japanese airplanes. It covers all the "Carrier Attack Bombers" of the IJNAAF, i.e. the torpedo not the dive bombers, from the earliest types like the tri-plane Type 10 Carrier Torpedo Bomber or Mitsubishi 1MT1, the Type 13 or Mitsubishi 2MT/3MT, the Type 89 or Mitsubishi B2M, the Type 92 or Kokusho (Yokosuka) B3Y, the Type 96 or Kokusho (Yokosuka) B4Y to the ones that saw extensive action during the Pasific War like the Type 97-1 or Nakajima B5N (Kate) and the Type 97-2 or Mitsubishi B5M (Mabel) but also later types like Nakajima B6N "Tenzan" (Jill) and the Aichi B7A "Ryusei" (Grace).

The book has 238 pages with 158 photos of which 6 in color, plus 30 pages full of modeling photos and illustrations. The book also features very useful reproductions of the maintenance manuals of the Nakajima B5N (Kate), Nakajima B6N "Tenzan" (Jill) and the Aichi B7A "Ryusei" (Grace) as well as detailed multi-views of the three previously mentioned types plus Mitsubishi B5M (Mabel) in 1/48.

It should be noted that this is the only publication that covers all these types in one volume and is truly invaluable especially to modelers.

Unfortunately MA#553 became fast out-of-print and Nohara-san decided to reprint it in 2006 with Kojinsha entitled "KUBO KIDOBUTAI NO DAGEKIRYOKU"

but of smaller size (15X21cm), 304 pages, 162 photos of which 23 in color, without the 1/48 fold-outs and the color artwork. Biggest difference is that the author decided to include the dive bombers too like the Type 96 Carrier Dive Bomber or Aichi D1A "Susie", the Type 99 or Aichi D3A "Val" (not the night fighter version), the experimental Kugisho (Yokosuka) D3Y "Myojo" and the Kugisho (Yokosuka) D4Y "Suisei" (Judy). It also includes the manuals for the Aichi D1A2 and the Aichi D3A.

Both publications are highly recommended to Japanese airplane fans but to modelers with only passing interest the Kojinsha is recommended for the price and contents.

BOTH publications are now available through our on-line store. 

There are only VERY limited numbers available of MA#533, though. Price is US$40 (postage not included). Send us an email if interested.

Film: "Shonen Kokuhei" - Civilian types #4

Apart from the Navy aircraft the film features a very interesting collection of civilian types, all belonging to the fleet of Asahi Shimbun.

J-BAWA was the fourth D.H.80A Puss Moth and the 10th aircraft in the Asahi Shimbun fleet and was purchased by the newspaper in March 1931. The aircraft was named "Ruri" (Lapis Lazuli).

In this first series of stills J-BAWA is taxing probably in Haneda airfield and comes to a stop in front of a big concrete hangar.

Note the Pou du Ciel on the left side of the still

The hangar in the still above reads "Asahi Shimbunsha Kakunoko" (Hangar of Asahi Shimbun)

After the pilot, actor Hirose Toru, gets off the Puss Moth he walks towards the side of the hangar where he meets his "girlfriend", beautiful actress Miyake Kuniko, in front of another Asahi aircraft; Dornier Komet C J-BAMA. It was one of the three Komets and the 102th aircraft in the newspaper fleet. Kawasaki originally purchased one Komet C for the Army and one D seplane for the Navy but both failed to attract attention. Kawasaki modified them as passenger aircraft and sold Komet C to Asahi together with two (or three) more they built themselves. The original registration of J-BAMA was J-COHJ and became part of the fleet in February 1927. By the time this movie was shot it was on permanent display.

The last civilian aircraft appearing in the film is the Isikawajima T3 with the registration J-BBCA. Interestingly the inscription on the fuselage side says that it is the 58th aircraft in the newspaper fleet; not the 53rd.  

The type was an experimental reconnaissance aircraft that failed to win in an Army competition of 1928. Ishikawajima eventually sold it to Asahi after modifying it into a communication aircraft for civilian use.

Note the beautiful paint job. Overall silver, with blue line on the fuselage top and Asahi markings on the top wing tips.

We hope you found this series of postings to your liking. 

Film: "Shonen Kokuhei" - Various types #3

The film gives us the rare opportunity to see many of the types the IJNAF had in their fleet at the time (1936).

A Type 90-2-2 Reconnaissance Seaplane or Nakajima E4N2 in a storage room together with a selection of engines.

Two seaplanes are being pulled up on the concrete slipway of Kasumigaura. The one in the background is a Type 90 Training Seaplane or Yokosho K4Y1. In the second still the crew can be seen pushing the trailer for the K4Y1 into position while a Type 13 Trainer or Yokosho K1Y2 is already on the slipway.

A flight of Type 90 Carrier Fighters or Nakajima A2N1 are taking off in front of a huge hangar possibly for airships.

Two stills of a Type 93 Advanced Trainer or Yokosuka K5Y1 "Akatonbo" (Willow), "カ-759" (KA-759),  in the typical finish of the time, silver overall, red tail, black markings on the fuselage sides and on the wings.

Plus one more still with "Willows" getting their engines started.

A top view of a line-up of "Getabaki Akatonbo", as the seaplane version of the K5Y1 was known at the time.

A line-up of Type 90 Crew Trainers or Mitsubishi K3M "Pine".

A rather interesting still showing ground crew members pulling a bomb on a dolly in front of a Type 13 Carrier Attack Bomber or Mitsubishi B1M2.

 

And last but not least a still with a big selection of Kasumigaura Kokutai seaplanes.

The four on the left row are probably Type 14 Reconnaissance Seaplanes or Yokosho E1Y2. In the foreground on the right is a Yokosho K5Y2, next to it a Type 15 Reconnaissance Seaplane or Nakajima E2N1 and then a Yokosho K1Y2. All the seaplanes in the back and on the seashore are probably Type 90 Training Seaplanes or Yokosho K4Y1.