Felixstowe F.5 in Japan - video

After having a good time with the Avro seaplane, Prince Yamashina (see previous post) was taken for a flight with a Felixstowe F.5 flying boat. Again, this is a delightful and incredibly rare video featuring an F.5 from the Yokosuka Kokutai (maybe "Y-53, the full tail marking is not visible).

According to the Japanese Wiki:

In 1919, the Japanese Navy planned to domestically produce this aircraft as a bomber flying boat, and in September 1920, they signed a license agreement with Short and purchased eight completed aircraft. Later, in April 1921, 21 people from Short, including engineers Dodds and Flesher, were invited to Yokosuka Naval Arsenal's Ordnance Department to conduct a course on the manufacturing techniques of this aircraft using equipment from six aircraft. In addition to military personnel from the Yokosuka Arsenal, engineers from Hiro Naval Arsenal and Aichi also participated in this course. In June, the Sempill Mission from the Royal Navy came to Japan, and in the flight course that began in July, Major Blackley conducted a flight course on the newly completed aircraft. Four additional aircraft were purchased in conjunction with this flight course. On November 22, 1923, the F.5 was officially adopted as the "F" No. 5 flying boat (F-5 flying boat). Sixty were produced at Yokosuka Arsenal, Hiro Naval Arsenal, and Aichi and remained in service until around 1930.

Hiroshima Arsenal also produced prototypes with Lorraine 400 hp and 450 hp engines, the former of which was called the F-1 flying boat and the latter the F-2 flying boat. Several other prototypes with modified engines and airframes were also produced.

This was the first official flying boat for the Imperial Japanese Navy, and the first flying boat to be fully manufactured in Japan. Taking advantage of its long flight range, it was used for various training purposes, such as anti-ship bombing experiments conducted on the battleship Iwami on July 9, 1921. The successor, the Type 15 flying boat, was based on the design of the F-5.

Avro 536 in Japan - video

An exquisite and extremely rare clip in three parts, dated 1923, features Prince Yamashina Takehiko (Check the guy's tragic history here) visiting Yokosuka and going for a ride on an Avro seaplane. 

It is one of those brought to Japan by the Sempill Mission, note the "JN751" on the fuselage side.

According to the Japanese Wiki:
The Japanese Navy signed a contract with Avro in 1920 to purchase a number of completed aircraft and acquire the manufacturing rights. At the same time dispatched engineers to Avro to study manufacturing techniques. In 1921, the Sempill Training Mission came to Japan from the UK, bringing with them 68 land-based (504K) and 10 sea-based (504L) aircraft. Aircraft pilot training was conducted using these aircraft. Domestic production began at Hiro Arsenal in 1922, and in November 1923, it was officially adopted as the Avro trainer due to its high performance and ease of use. The land-based models were mainly produced by Nakajima, and the sea-based models were mainly produced in Aichi, and a total of 222 aircraft (some say 280) were produced under license. It was used as the Navy's main trainer until the early Showa period, and was gradually retired when the Type 3 land-based basic trainer was adopted. After that, many of the aircraft were sold off and used by civilian aviation schools.

The brilliant article in "Cross & Cockade" magazine, Vol.39 No.1 2008, features a photo of seaplane "JN752" and identifies it as an Avro 536. I suppose "JN751" is also an Avro 536 but since I'm not proficient in British aircraft, leave a comment confirming or correcting the designation.

Heads Up! - JUNKERS-LARSEN JL.6. in Japan

A new kit, in 1/48, by Mini Art is "coming soon" and one of the decal options is for "Imperial Japanese Army Air Service".

Very interesting indeed!

"Air Battle off Taiwan" 台湾沖航空戦 - Library

A publication I recently added to my library is this pocket size release, entitled "Air Battle Off Taiwan" by Jinno Masami. It deals extensively with the history of the "T-Kogeki Butai", we first encountered here, with a good number of photos of IJNAF AND IJAAF bomber units (torpedo equipped "Hiryu"), I hadn't seen before. A very interesting publication for aviation historians.

Highly Recommended!

Title: "台湾沖航空戦 T攻撃部隊 陸海軍雷撃隊の死闘" 

(Taiwan-oki Koku-sen T-Kogeki Butai RikuKaiGun Raigeki-tai no Shito : Air Battle off Taiwan - T Attack Force - Death Struggle of the Army and Navy Lightning Strike Corps)

Author: Jinno Masami

Published by: Ushio Shobo / Kojin Shinsha, Sep 24,2024

Pages: 451, soft cover

Size: 10X15cm

Photos: 83 b/w 

Price: 1260Yen

Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" Photo Mission 一式陸上攻撃機 - video

In this clip from the NHK collection, dated August 18, 1942, a Mitsubishi G4M is taking off from Rabaul on a photographic mission, showing the whole process. 

Some interesting stills:

Note that none of the "Betty" crew members wears any parachute or life vest.

During an interview with a "Betty" pilot that flew around the same time and in the same area, the veteran explained to us that they almost never wore any parachutes because the majority of the missions they flew were from a low altitude and they wouldn't have the necessary time or altitude to deploy parachutes if they jumped out of their bomber. Furthermore, there were never enough parachutes and in any case, when they encountered enemy fighters and couldn't escape they prefered to make emergency alightments (land on water) and they swim to safety than jump from high altitudes, risking getting shot at. Yes, surprising as it may sound to some, that happened.

In this still we can clearly see that the "Betty" is a G4M1 Model 11. The frame of the side window also indicates that the particular aircraft has a serial number higher than s/n#123, from when this new side window frame was adopted.

As we can see Tonavumbatur (known to the Japanese as "Aneyama") and Tavurvur ("Hanabukiyama") on the left and the edge of the airfield is right by the sea, then I can say that the airfield is Rapopo, which mostly IJAAF bomber units operated from. I'm pretty sure some of you will dissagree, so feel free to leave a comment and correct or confirm me.

Here's the bombardier taking aim with a Navy Type 90 Bombsight in order to guide and bring the aircraft over the target. When he raises his hand he signals the camera operator to take photos.

I believe that in this frame the same bombardier is telling to pilot to make one more pass over the target area.

In this rather dark still, we can see the camera operator loading a fresh film/plate on his Navy Fixed Aerial Camera K-8 type.

According to this :

The Fixed Aerial Camera K-8 type (固定式航空写真機K-8型) was made for the Japanese Navy by Rokuoh-sha, later Konishiroku. It was a copy of the Fairchild K-8, of which some examples were bought before the outbreak of the Pacific War.

The camera takes 18×24cm pictures on film rolls 24cm wide and 24m long, allowing for 100 exposures and loaded in interchangeable magazine backs. It is equipped with a leaf shutter. The camera is remotely controlled and needs 12V electrical power supply.

The camera was available in two main versions, differing by the lens unit. One has a 50cm f/5 lens (presumably a Hexar) and 1/50 to 1/100 speeds, for vertical pictures taken at altitudes from 20,000 to 30,000 feet. The other has a Perigon 25cm f/4.5 and 1/50 to 1/150 speeds, for use at altitudes from 13,000 to 23,000 feet. (The name Perigon certainly indicates that this is a wide field lens.) Both versions were used in the C6N Saiun (Myrt) reconnaissance plane. A special mount grouping together three 25cm K-8 at vertical and oblique angles was tested but apparently not operationally used.

The complete 50cm K-8 set consists of the main camera with lens unit and film magazine, two spare magazines, two intervalometers, an optical sight and a repair kit. Various outfits are pictured in the 1945 American report cited above, and a 25cm K-8 with Perigon lens and airframe mount is displayed at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.

What could the big "tube" like thing on his left side be?

In these illustrations from FAOW#59, we can see the special window that only G4M1s had for photographic missions and we can visualize where the camera operator squeezed in to take photos; under the cockpit. The bombardier's window is not shown in the top G4M1 illustration but it is shown in the lower G4M2 illustration.

Would you like to check if your G4M1 kit, especially the latest from Sword has the photo window?

I'm not 100% sure but I strongly suspect this part of the film is from stock footage since the cameraman was sitting in the front end of the "Betty" with the bombardier and the camera operator. Nevertheless an interesting view of the cockpit.

This is most probably the darkroom in Rabaul where the film was developed.

日本語読める人、ドアの表札に何て書いてあるかな？〇〇暗室？

MODELERS DUNGEON - 4 Modelers Club Joint Exhibition

Visited today with Hara-san the "MODELERS DUNGEON". Great fun!!! 

Ki-100 with turbo supercharger.

A "Saiun" night fighter in......1/32!!!! All scratch built! Absolutely stunning!

Quite interesting what-if, wouldn't you agree?

Note the turning propellers.

A set of floatplanes and flying boats in 1/144

ALL JAPAN MODEL & HOBBY SHOW 2024

ALL JAPAN MODEL & HOBBY SHOW 2024

After many many years, we visited yesterday the "Tokyo Hobby Show" or, officially, the "All Japan Model & Hobby Show 2024", in Tokyo Big Site.
We had very good time. Plenty of space unlike the Shizuoka show, smooth walk around the booths and very easy to examine the various products on display; exactly how a hobby show is supposed to be. I think it's time they open one more area for modellers to exhibit and I'm confident that that would make the show even more attractive.
We spotted a few exiting forthcoming Japanese aircraft releases, like the new Zero by Fine Molds in 1/48 and the new "Hayabusa" by Arma in 1/72 but Border too is releasing two new Zero kits in 1/35.
Overall great fun and no congestion!

Hasegawa supports ICM and has a special exhibit in its area.

New and re-releases from Hasegawa.

The new Zeros by Border in 1/35.

Pit Road continues with its releases in the ultra tiny 1/700 scale. 

Check the price of this "kit"!

Another new release, this time from Mikro Mir, an "Ohka" in 1/32. 

The new "Hayabusa" by Arma. Should we expect a price tag in the 5000 Yen range (same price as the new Fine Molds Zero in 1/48) and minimum sales in Japan?

VIC Hobby announced the forthcoming release of a set of paints for IJAAF fighters. Should be interesting.

Fine Molds new Zero at 5000 Yen it beats hands down Edward's Zero currently sold at 10000+  Yen in Japan.