The Experimental 9-Shi Medium Attack-Bomber (Ka-15)

There is a peculiar aircraft that makes its appearance in the video of the previous post. It has a bump on its nose.

This is an extremely rare footage of the very little known Experimental 9-Shi Medium Attack-Bomber (Ka-15), the intermediary type between the  8-Shi Special Reconnaissance Aircraft or Mitsubishi G1M and the Mitsubishi G3M "Nell".

Experimental 9-Shi Medium Land Attack Aircraft (Ka-15) with Kisarazu Kokutai crews just before takeoff heading for Omura. 

The commander of the Kisarazu Kokutai at that time was Captain Takenaka Ryuzo, seen here briefing the crews wearing a white Type 2 military uniform. We can see that the Experimental 9-Shi Medium Land Attack Aircraft (Ka-15) behind him has no tail markings. 

The aircraft was piloted by Flight Leader Lieutenant Commander Soga Yoshiharu (one rank higher when the video was shot), who led the attack force toward Omura; however, this aircraft did not actually participate in the transoceanic bombing mission. The Type 9 Medium Bomber was the aircraft on which Major Soga conducted tests; he was very fond of it and apparently flew it himself for a while, even using it for official flights. The figure in flight gear saluting in front of the Type 9 Medium Bomber is LCDR Soga. (Special thanks to Sato Nobuhiko for the aditional information)

One of the Hei Type Experimental 9-Shi Medium Land Attack Aircraft (Ka-15)

Encyclopedia has the following about the type:

In February 1934, the Navy instructed Mitsubishi to develop a prototype of the 9-Shi Medium Attack-Bomber to advance and put into practical use the previous 8-Shi Special Reconnaissance Aircraft. Mitsubishi assigned Engineer Honjo Kiro as the chief engineer, as with the 8-Shi Special Reconnaissance Aircraft, and the first prototype was completed in June 1935. The following month, flight tests were conducted at Kakamigahara by Pilot Kajima, yielding excellent results. Subsequently, Lieutenant Soga of the Navy took primary responsibility for flight testing. 

The main differences from the Type 8 Experimental Reconnaissance Aircraft were: (1) The engine was replaced with a Hiro Type 91 600 HP engine (2) The seat arrangement was changed to a side-by-side configuration for the pilot and co-pilot, with the commander’s seat and radio operator’s seat behind them, and a seat for the engineer and upper gunner between the front and rear spars. (3) Armament was reinforced, with 7.7mm machine guns mounted forward-upper, rear-upper, and rear-lower; the upper guns were fitted with retractable windshields, and the lower guns utilized a section of the fuselage underside that could be opened and closed. (4) A torpedo or bomb suspension device was placed on the underside of the fuselage, allowing for the carriage of one 800 kg torpedo or one 500 kg bomb, or two 250 kg bombs. (5) The main landing gear was changed to a single-leg configuration.

Aircraft Nos. 1, 2, 5, and 6 were equipped with two Type 91 water-cooled 600 HP engines, had wooden four-bladed propellers, and lacked flaps and a drop-down turret; the lower machine gun was designed to be fired from a prone position by opening a hatch. Aircraft No. 3 was equipped with two Type 2 Kinsei air-cooled 680 HP engines, had a wooden four-bladed propeller, and increased tail surface area.

Aircraft No. 4 was equipped with two Type 3 Kinsei air-cooled 790 HP engines, had a metal Hamilton Standard three-bladed variable-pitch propeller, and was fitted with cowl flaps. 

While the first six aircraft all featured the Type Ko seating configuration, aircraft Nos. 7–21 were of the Type Hei design, featuring an observation tower (leave a comment if you know a better word that can describe it) on the nose. They were equipped with two Kinsei Type 2 680-HP engines, had wooden four-bladed propellers, were fitted with flaps, and featured a retractable upper gun turret and a drop-down lower gun turret. Additionally, only No. 8 had its outer wing dihedral angle increased on a trial basis, and only No. 11 was equipped with two Kinsei Type 3 790 HP engines and Hamilton Standard metal three-bladed variable-pitch propellers. 

[Number of Aircraft Produced] From June 1935 onward

Type Ko (Type 91 600 HP x 2) 4 aircraft

Type Ko (2 x Kinsei Type 2 680 HP engines): 1 aircraft

Type Ko (2 x Kinsei Type 3 790 HP engines): 1 aircraft

Type Hei (2 x Kinsei Type 2 680 HP engines): 14 aircraft

Type Hei (2 x Kinsei Type 3 790 HP engines): 1 aircraft

Total: 21 aircraft

Developed from the 8th Experimental Special Reconnaissance Aircraft, which demonstrated excellent performance, this aircraft exhibited outstanding high performance as a twin-engine long-range aircraft, and the decision on the production model was urgently sought. There were two seating configurations: the Type Ko (Aircraft Nos. 1–6) and the Type Hei (Aircraft Nos. 7–21). A decision on which to adopt proved difficult to reach, and further delays were caused by engine and propeller testing, as well as other modifications. It was not until June 1911 that it was finally officially adopted as the Type 96 Land Attack Aircraft. In May 1936, Aircraft Nos. 2 and 5 were used to conduct a round-trip flight from Tateyama to Northern Manchuria. On the return leg, No. 2 encountered severe weather near Mingyuegou in Jilin Province, broke apart in mid-air, and crashed, resulting in the deaths of all five crew members. It was later determined that engine failure was the cause of the accident. Additionally, accidents sometimes occurred due to a drop in fuel pressure during takeoff and landing or when the engine was at low RPM, or due to landing gear malfunctions.

Mitsubishi G3M "Nell" + In Action - video

Today's video warrants two posts; thus, this one will focus on the historical context and the ensuing events. In the upcoming post tomorrow, we will explore the different details, including an extremely rare IJNAF X bomber.

On July 11, 1937, immediately after the start of the Sino-Japanese War, in preparation for the expansion of hostilities, the Japanese Navy General Staff issued an Immediate Readiness Order and formed the First Combined Air Fleet (Rengo Koku Kantai) with the main medium bomber forces from Kisarazu and Kanoya Kokutai. As of August 1, the Kisarazu main force incorporated medium bombers from the Tateyama Kokutai, totaling 20 medium bombers while the Kanoya Kokutai consisted of 18 medium bombers. On August 8, the main Kisarazu force completed its deployment to Omura Air Base, while the headquarters and the KanoyaKu completed their deployment to Matsuyama Air Base in Taipei.

The attached video features the departure of Kisarazu Ku bombers on August 8, 1937, en route to Omura.

Then, with the aim of preemptively destroying the Chinese Air Force, on August 14, orders were issued for KisarazuKu to attack Nanjing Airfield and its associated facilities, and for KanoyaKu to attack the same targets in Nanchang. However, shortly after, orders were issued to cancel the attack due to bad weather caused by a typhoon. At 11:40, KanoyaKu received orders to sortie, while KisarazuKu was placed on standby. KanoyaKu changed its targets to Hangzhou and Guangde Airfields, bombing and damaging hangars at each airfield and destroying more than ten Chinese aircraft (two Japanese aircraft did not return). 

On August 15, an unprecedented trans-oceanic bombing campaign began.

The main Kisarazu force departed from Omura Airfield, advanced toward the mainland at extremely low altitude, and carried out a bombing run at an altitude of 500 meters near Nanjing. The Chinese side counterattacked with ground artillery fire, and after engaging in aerial combat with interceptor fighters, the Kisarazu bombers returned to Jeju Island Airfield. With four aircraft lost in crashes and 30 casualties—including two killed in action—the KisarazuKu suffered significant losses, as many aircraft were also hit. Since the only precedent for transoceanic bombing was Germany’s raid on London during World War I, the Japanese Navy Ministry’s description of this as an “unprecedented transoceanic bombing” was not entirely untrue. However, the newspapers did not report in detail on these friendly casualties; instead, only the damage inflicted on the Chinese side was emphasized, and the mission was touted as a “brave and daring air raid by the Navy and Air Force.” 

Meanwhile, the KanoyaKu set out for Nanchang with 14 operational aircraft, but was hampered by heavy rain, resulting in few achievements or casualties.

Håkans Aviation page has the following more detailed description focusing on the Chinese side:

At 13:30 on the same day [August 15, 1937] the Nanking Air Defence Command received a report that 16 Japanese aircraft had flown past Soochow towards Nanking. The alarm was sounded, and Chinese Air Force fighters took off to meet them. The Japanese aircraft were 20 G3Ms from the Kisarazu Kokutai. The Japanese aircraft had flown in directly from Ohmura in Japan and landed back at Cheju-Do. 

From Chu Yung, squadrons of the 3rd PG scrambled their aircraft. Wong Pan-Yang led eight Boeing 281s from the 17th PS. Chen Yau-Wei, Commander of the 8th PS, led five Fiat CR.32 fighters. Scrambled were also seven Hawk IIs from the 28th PS, 5th PG, and one Hawk III and five Hawk II from the 34th Provisional PS. 

In the ensuing melee, four G3Ms were shot down and six damaged. Claims were confused but it is generally acknowledged that Captain Wong Sun-Shui (in no. 1703) downed the first G3M to fall in the Battle of Nanking when the eight Boeings from the 17th PS attacked a flight of six Mitsubishi G3M bombers over Nanking and claimed to have shot them all down without losses. This was the No.4 aircraft in a Shotai that bombed the Ta Hsiao-Chang Airfield, most likely the no. 5 Shotai led by Lieutenant Yoshida. 17th PS’ Wong Pan-Yang and Su Ying-Hsien shared one victory at Chu-Yung while Chun Chia-Chu claimed another which crashed south-east of Nanking. Chin Shui-Tin also took part in this interception but didn't claim any aircraft. 

The Japanese aircraft fled and the 8th PS went after them. Chen Yau-Wei and Huang Chu-Ku shared a victory near Chu-Yung while Shen Tse-Liu and Liu Chi-Wei together shot down an enemy plane west of Lui Shui. 

Captain Chow Ting-Fong, commander of the 34th PS led six Hawks from Chia Hsiang and followed eight Japanese aircraft to Nanking. Captain Chow attacked one of these and shot it down over Fang Shan. 

4th PG’s Captain Lee Kuei-Tan led three Hawk IIIs of the 21st PS and Captain Huang Kuang-Han, C.O. of the 22nd PS, led eight Hawk IIIs from Hangchou to Nanking to help in this interception and they also attacked the bombers. Lee Kuei-Tan claimed a shared bomber together with three other pilots. Tan Won and Yuan Chin-Han shared a victory. Cheng Hsiao-Yu, Pa Ching-Cheng and Wu Ting-Chun each claimed one shot down. Wu Ting-Chun’s aircraft was damaged in this combat and he was forced to make an emergency landing. Liang Tian-Cheng claimed two victories. Huang Kuang-Han claimed a Japanese G3M halfway between Nanking and Lui Shui. 

Because of low clouds, each group fought on it’s own with little co-ordination. A total of 14 Japanese aircraft were claimed shot down. Five Chinese aircraft were damaged.

Hiro G2H1, the IJNAF Heavy Bomber shrouded in obscurity

Our friend Danny Jackett asked if we could identify and had any information about the aircraft featured in the attached photo above.

It is the little known Hiro G2H1 or Navy Type 95 Twin-engined Land-based Attacker, a 1930s IJNAF heavy bomber and the predecessor to the Mitsubishi G3M "Nell".

Here's what the Japanese Wiki has on the type:

The Type 95 Land-Based Attack Aircraft (Kyugo-shiki Rikujo Kogekiki) was a land-based attack aircraft of the Imperial Japanese Navy. It was designed and manufactured by the Hiroshima Naval Arsenal*. Although it was the largest aircraft in the Japanese Navy’s fleet at the time, there was no room for further performance improvements. Its abbreviated designation was G2H1. While the Type 96 Land-Based Attack Aircraft [Mitsubishi G3M "Nell"], which was adopted slightly later, was designated as a "Medium Attacker", this aircraft was called a "Heavy Attacker".

Development

Restrictions on the number of auxiliary vessels imposed by the London Naval Conference made it necessary for the Imperial Japanese Navy to develop new weapons. In the spring of 1932, Captain Wada Misao, a member of the Technical Department of the Naval Air Headquarters, was ordered by Rear Admiral Matsuyama Shigeru, Chief of the Naval Air Headquarters, to conduct research on a long-range attack aircraft capable of participating in fleet battles. The first prototype was completed in March 1933. However, a defect was discovered in the Type 7 Special Attack Aircraft: the tail fluttered during sharp turns at high angles, leading it to be regarded as a failure.

In May 1936, it was officially adopted as the Type 95 Land-Based Attack Aircraft.

Operational history(from English Wiki)

One aircraft was lost in an accident, but the rest operated against the Chinese mainland during the Second Sino-Japanese War. In 1937, five aircraft were destroyed in a fire at their base on Cheju Island.

Specifications (G2H1)

Data from The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft

General characteristics

Crew: 6/7

Length: 20.15 m (66 ft 1.25 in)

Wingspan: 31.68 m (103 ft 11.25 in)

Height: 6.28 m (20 ft 7.25 in)

Wing area: 140 m2 (1,507 sq ft)

Empty weight: 7,567 kg (16,682 lb)

Gross weight: 11,000 kg (24,250 lb)

Powerplant: 2×Type 94 W-18 piston engines, 880 kW (1,180 hp) each

Performance

Maximum speed: 245 km/h (152 mph, 132 kn)

Range: 1,557 km (967 mi, 840 nmi)**

Service ceiling: 5,130 m (16,830 ft)

Armament

5× 7.7 mm (0.303in) machine-guns (two on pivoted nose mounting, two on dorsal ring mounting, one in a ventral dustbin)

6× 250kg (551lb) bomb or

4× 400kg (882lb) bombs on underwing racks

Number built: 8

*The Hiro Naval Arsenal (Hiro Kaigun Kosho or Dai-Juichi Kaigun Koku-sho (11th Naval Arsenal), often abbreviated as Hirosho) at Kure, Hiroshima prefecture, was a production facility for seaplanes, flying boats, and aero engines for the Imperial Japanese Navy before and during World War II. It was largely destroyed in a raid by B-29 Superfortresses on 5 May 1945.

**Japanese Wiki gives Range: 2,883 km!

Encyclopedia mentions: 1080~1557nmi which is 2000~2883km.

So, obviously someone mistook the nautical miles for km.

Fine Molds Ka-14 in 1/72 by Sergio Teixeira

Mitsubishi Experimental N.9 Single Seat Fighter Ka-14

This hard to find model came out as a magazine kit with Model Graphix January 2014 issue. I blessed to find one at a great price in Japan, in 2024. I decided to built it as an easy, relaxing kit after a much troublesome B-25 project. The kit comes with few parts but it’s very detailed and has excellent fit. I started with the cockpit, adding some extra details: I repositioned the throttle and added to it the trigger lever for the machine guns, I added the bungee cords for the seat, the flap lever and its cable; added the trimtab wheel, lever and its chain and the cable to lower and raise the arrestor hook; I added the seatbelts from Fine Molds set NA02, I scratchbuilt the ammo box and empty cartridges chutes and added a firewall. I painted the headrest with redbrown, the cockpit with AK RC306 Mitsubishi Interior Green and the other interior areas in MRP-410 aotake blue primer. 

After assembling the fuslelage halves I turned my attention to the engine: I painted it with Tamiya TS-17 silver (diluted via airbrush – not directly from the can) and applied a black wash, then I added the spark plug wires; I drilled the exhaust pipes and the carburator air intakes and added the tubes behind. I painted the propeller front with AK481 polished aluminium and the rear in flat dark brown. 

Wheel spats interior was painted blue aotake, tyres with Mr. Hobby H77 Tyre Black and wheel hubs silver.

The navigation lights where replaced with drilled transparent sprue leftovers sanded and polished. 

Model assembly was smooth, fitting was excellent and required very little putty. I painted the whole model in ash green, obtained by mixing AK RC302 Hai iro and RC 306 Mitsubishi Interior Green. The color obtained is very similar to IJA Grey Green… I painted the tail surfaces and rear fuselage with Mr. Color 385 Red and the cowling with Vic Hobby CA049 Mitsubishi Cowling black. Before  applying the few decals I airbrushed Tamiya X-20 clear; then MRP-125 semigloss varnish. I then washed the whole model with AK paneliner black and sepia (and tamiya grey for the cowling). Finally  airbrushed little exhaust stains with MRP-180 Exhaust Soot.

I simply love the Ka-14 lines! It was very enjoyable built and I couldn’t resist adding extra detail to an already awesome model. Hats off Fine Molds!

Aichi D3A2 "Val" in Action - video

 

A video I recently discovered from NARA features Aichi D3A2 "Val" in action somewhere in the Pacific. Unfortunately the tail markings are not visible (they could be in red with very thin white border or they could be censored) and I know nothing about the unit the where or the when.

In any case, I believe it's an extremely rare video showing land-based "Val" units in action.

Michael Claringbould commented:

Model 22s definitely at Buin (have walked the former airfield and see the familiar mountain backdrop). Unit confirmed as 582 Ku, likely mid-1943. This is when it became known as the “Inoue Butai” after Lt Inoue Buntou. The kokutai's Zero component was disbanded around this timeframe and 582 Ku became solely a dive-bomber unit. These land-based Vals carried one 250 Kg bomb slung under the fuselage or two to four wing-mounted two 60 Kg bombs, a common ordnance loading from Buin.

Anatoly Sklyarenko also commented:

MATSUNAMI Kiyoshi, Meirei ikka idetatsuwa:

zai Rabauru 582 kû no shito (Take off to carry

out orders: desperate struggle of the 582nd Air

Corps at Rabaul), Tokyo: Kojinsha , 1981. :

"On the morning of April 7, 1943, having completed loading our bombs and preparing for takeoff, we, the crews of the 582nd Kokutai's carrier-based bombers, gathered near the command post in Buin, chatting among ourselves and awaiting the order to take off.

While we were talking about steam, a large, clumsy Petty Officer 2nd Class, Kudo, approached with an Aimo movie camera slung over his shoulder. Apparently, after the attack on Oro Bay, while we were in Rabaul, he went to the war correspondents and borrowed the Aimo from them. I had seen him and the war correspondents several times at the crew waiting area in Rabaul, holding the Aimo camera and talking about something. It all immediately became clear to me.

"Hey, Kudo, you look serious. Are you sure you can handle the Aimo?"

"Yes, Senior Officer. I can handle the camera; I've had special training." "War correspondent training. We'll capture some amazing, real-life scenes with this camera during today's attack. I also have three spare rolls of film, so everything is covered..." Indeed, in addition to the Aimo, he was also carrying a small bag.

"Hey, Kudo, don't get carried away filming, don't forget to keep an eye on your surroundings. If the Grumman gets close, you're finished."

"Senior, don't worry. Kudo won't die that easily. I need to capture this attack and show the whole country in a newsreel"...

.... The second plane of the 5th Flight, led by Petty Officers Second Class Nishida and

Kudo, was also hit and crashed into the sea immediately after dropping its bombs."

pacificwrecks:

On April 7, 1943 took off during Operation I-Go Sakusen on a dive bombing mission against American shipping in Tulagi Harbor off Tulagi. Over the target, shot down and crashed on land. A total of three Vals went down in the jungle within sight of USS Niagara (AGP-1) and USS Rail (AT-139).

One of the dive bombers had two rolls of exposed 35mm film. These contained numerous views of the new Type 99 Model 22 Dive Bomber dive bomber and allowed the U.S. to make a detailed visual comparison with the earlier Type 99 Model 11.

Michael Claringbould replied:

Many thanks to Anatoly Sklyarenko - Arawasi at its best ! Yes, the photographer was FPO2c Kudo Shigenobu (see attached), the observer/ gunner in #2 D3A2 of #2 shotai of #2 chutai, from a total of 18 582 Ku Vals which flew the mission.

Michael Claringbould added:

Looks like Matsunami's recollections are accurate too. He claims his Val turned back due to low oil pressure on the 7 April I-Go attack. He was right - here is the "return" entry due to low oil pressure with his pilot listed as Nakanishi Yoshio, exactly as described in his memoirs.

Peter Monoton also commented:

The photo caption from FAOW33 would say its a still from the opening of the clip

in the pic the tailcore T3 is visible on the tail of the second Val

Thank you, Peter, Michael and Anatoly!

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.