Kawanishi N1K2-J "Shiden Kai" (George) Recovered! - update

Some updates.

First up some photos taken after the wreck was brought ashore, from here.

Jan Bobek:

I found a few more details on a Japanese blog yesterday. Hayashi was born on 17 July 1920 in Jōmyōji, Kamakura Town, Kanagawa Prefecture. His grave is located in Kamakura, but unfortunately it does not contain his remains. Most likely, his remains were destroyed by a U.S. aircraft while being transported from Orikuchi to his family home.

Arawasi:

The site of the group working on the recovery of the aircraft (here), mentions that there were two US bombing missions on that day by the XXI Bomber command in that area; Mission #83 and #89. Mission #83 is the more probable because the time and location fits.

I could not find the complete mission report but this is what I found:

Mission # 83

Date: 21 April 1945

Code Name: Famish # 4

Target: Kanoya East A/F 90.38-2516

Participating Units: 313th Bombardment Wing

Number A/C Airborne: 33

% A/C Bombing Primary: 81.8% (27 Primary, 0 Secondary and 4 Opportunity)

Time over Primary: 210809K - 210901K

Altitude of Attack: 16,200 - 17,350

Weather over Target: 0/10 - 2/10

Total A/C Lost: 0

Resume of Mission: Bombing results--several bomb patterns on field with concentration in hangar area. One aircraft damaged. Two aircraft non-effective. Enemy fighter opposition weak----------- 10 attacks. AA heavy, meager to moderate and inaccurate. Average bomb load 13,245 lbs. Average gas reserve 704 gallons.

Mission # 89

Date: 21 April 1945

Code Name: Bullish # 3

Target: Izumi A/F 90.37.2512

Participating Units: 313th Bombardment Wing

Number A/C Airborne: 16

% A/C Bombing Primary: 81.1% (13 Primary and 3 Opportunity)

Time Over Primary: 210814K - 210949K

Altitude of Attack: 14,100 - 14,500

Weather Over Target: 0/10 - 3/10

Total A/C Lost: 0

Resume of Mission: Bombing results---good concentration of hits centered on hangar area and string of bursts across airfield. Enemy fighter opposition moderate----60 attacks. Enemy aircraft destroyed one, probably destroyed three and five damaged. AA heavy, meager to moderate, inaccurate to accurate. Average bomb load 13, 643 lbs. Average gas reserve 744 gallons.

During Mission #89, no US bombers were damaged or shot down, only during Mission #83 this happened as you see above. Perhaps if someone has the complete report, we could find which B-29 was damaged and under what circumstances.

In Memoram Lt Hayashi by Jan Bobek

Lt Hayashi Yoshishige.

(Photo from here)

Since the 1990s, when I first came across an issue of Model Art devoted to the N1K “Rex” and “George” fighters, one detail has remained firmly in my memory: the distinctive markings of the personal aircraft of one of the commanding officers of the Kōkūtai 343 (II), along with his name- Lt. Yoshishige Hayashi.

This officer was killed in April 1945 during an emergency landing on the seashore. Today, news has been published of the recovery of the wreckage of his aircraft. For me, this represents one of the most symbolic moments in my long-standing interest in Japanese military aviation.

Details of Hayashi’s career are not widely known even in Japan, and I would therefore like to share this information with you.

"Shiden-kai" Model 21 from the 301st Fighter Hikotai of the 343rd Kokutai (II) stationed at the snow-laden Matsuyama Air Base in Ehime Prefecture in February 1945.

The aircraft in the foreground is No. “343-A 17” with the "17" repeat in yellow inside the fuselage hinomaru. The 343rd Kokutai was the sole combat unit that was consistently equipped with and operated the "Shiden-kai".

Hayashi Yoshishige (林喜重; the given name is also sometimes read Kijū) was born in Kanagawa Prefecture and attended Shōnan Middle School (湘南中). In March 1941 he graduated from the Imperial Japanese Naval Academy, Class 69 (ranked 90th of 342).

On 25 March 1941, Hayashi was appointed Midshipman. On 1 November 1941, he was commissioned as Ensign and entered Flight Training Course, Class 37. Promoted to Lieutenant (junior grade) on 1 November 1942, he was assigned to the Kōkūtai 251 in the Rabaul–Solomon Islands area. From September 1943, he continued his service in the same theater as a Buntaichō with the Kōkūtai 253.

Hayashi was promoted to Lieutenant on 15 March 1944 and assigned to the Kōkūtai 361 as commander of Fighter Hikōtai 407. Both units were newly formed at Kagoshima. Although originally scheduled to be equipped with Shiden interceptors, the unit instead received Zero fighters. Due to shortages of aircraft, pilots, and officers, the Kōkūtai 361 was disbanded after four months without seeing combat.

On 10 July 1944, Hayashi transferred with Fighter Hikōtai 407 to the Kōkūtai 221, his Hikōtai intended to operate 48 fighter aircraft. After training at Kagoshima, it was deployed to Angeles, Luzon. In December 1944, Fighter Hikōtai 407 returned to Japan and, together with its commander Lt. Hayashi, was reassigned to the Kōkūtai 343 (II) and re-equipped with Shiden-kai fighters.

The Kōkūtai 343 (II) was tasked with patrol, interception, and escort missions for Special Attack units. In addition, it engaged B-29 bombers. Hayashi reportedly had a heated discussion with the commander of another Hikōtai within the Kōkūtai 343 (II), the well-known fighter ace Lt. Naoshi Kanno, regarding the proper method of attacking high-altitude B-29s.

On 21 April 1945, after intercepting a B-29, Hayashi was killed during a forced landing at Orikuchi Beach, Akune City, Kagoshima Prefecture. He was posthumously promoted to Lieutenant Commander. He is credited with five aerial victories, including one achieved in a Shiden-kai fighter.

- Jan Bobek -

The "Shiden-kai" of Lt Hayashi is being lifted out of the water after 81 years.

Kawanishi N1K2-J "Shiden Kai" (George) Recovered!

"The Imperial Japanese Navy fighter aircraft “Shiden-kai,” piloted by Lieutenant Hayashi Yoshishige from Kanagawa Prefecture, [a member of the Sento 407 of the 343 Kokutai], engaged a formation of U.S. B-29 bombers in April 1945, shot down one aircraft, and then made an emergency alighting near the coast of Origuchi, Akune City.

"The "Shiden-kai" had lain on the seabed for 81 years since its crash, but on the morning of the 8th [today], a salvage operation was carried out and the fuselage was recovered. It is reported that not only the engine and both wings, but also the twin 20mm machine guns—considered a defining feature of the aircraft—remain intact. Plans are being considered to display it in Izumi City to preserve the memory of the war."

From the site of the group working for the preservation of the aircraft, here:

On April 21, 1945, Lt Hayashi Yoshishige took off from Kokubu Air Base as the commander of the 3rd Shotai of the 1st Chutai. He added his own name to the sortie roster and headed for the skies.

Over Fukuyama Town, Aira District, Kagoshima Prefecture (now Fukuyama Town, Kirishima City), he encountered a formation of 11 B-29s. A fierce battle ensued.

So focused on the attack, Lt Hayashi became separated from his wingman and pursued the enemy aircraft alone. The battle shifted to the skies over Izumi.

It was at this point that PO1c Shimizu Toshinobu of the 3rd Chutai rushed to his aid. The two aircraft launched a relentless joint attack. Finally, they sent a radio message reporting “one enemy aircraft shot down.”

However, immediately afterward, Hayashi’s aircraft was also hit. He shut down the engine and, through skillful piloting, glided toward Wakimoto Coast to attempt an emergency landing.

According to recently disclosed records held by then-Commander Genda Minoru, the aircraft crashed into the sea off Orikuchi Coast and, Lt Hayashi struck his head violently against the instrument panel. He died at the young age of 24 from a fracture of the base of the skull.

And a video from the recovery from here:

Kawasaki Ki-61 "Hien" (Tony) by Matteo Reich

The tamiya 1/72nd scale Ki-61 Id is completed, it portrays a 11th Rensei Hikotai aircraft found after the war. I'm quite satisfied. I used oil paints as usual, plus some post shading and enamels. I found Ammo Starship filth to be awesome to weather bare metal finishes!

I suspect the bare metal aircraft was originally camouflaged and partially stripped back to the metal.

- Matteo Reich -

Here's the original aircraft that inspired Matteo. As you can see, his model is really very close. I just can't find any flaws or anything to nag about. Great job!

As to why the aircraft looks like this, it could be old camo, as Matteo mentions, or perhaps the paint job wasn't finished.

Artist - Vladimir Martinicky (12)

Vladimir Martinicky from Slovakia, sent over artwork he created for a Tsukuba Kokutai Kawanishi N1K1- Ja "Shiden" (George).

Moc ďakujem.

"Tsukuba Kokutai Fighter Squadron"

About this time last year, Dai Nippon Kaiga released a new book dedicated to the fighter squadron of the Tsukuba Kokutai, written and illustrated by Yoshino Yasutaka. It's a well researched book with plenty of photos and material. Especially interesting to modellers and historians focusing on aerial warfare in Japan during the war's final year.

Contents:

Paint Schemes and Markings of Aircraft Belonging to the Tsukuba Kokutai 

Prologue: What is the Tsukuba Kokutai? 

Part 1 – Naval Pilot Training Courses and Training Kokutai 

Part 2 – Training Aircraft of the Tsukuba Kokutai: Zero Carrier-Based Fighter Kawanishi ‘Shiden’  

Chapter 1: The Pursuit of the B-29. The first enemy the Tsukuba Kokutai engaged: the ‘B-29’

 Chapter 2: Fierce Battles with Enemy Carrier-Based Aircraft. The formidable foe that ran rampant over the Kanto region: the ‘F6F’. Verification of the serial numbers and variants of the Zero fighters from the Tsukuba Kokutai’s Fighter Squadron that participated in the interception missions.

Chapter 3: The Okinawa Air Campaign. Easier to handle than its menacing appearance suggests? The ‘F4U’. Casualties from the Tsukuba Kokutai’s Fighter Squadron.

Title: "Imperial Japanese Navy Tsukuba Fring [sic] Group, Fighter Squadron"

Authors: Yoshino Yasutaka

Published by: Dainippon Kaiga, March 2025

Pages: 176

Photos: 116

Profiles: 40

Size: 21X26cm

The book is available.

Price: $US 39.00 (Postage NOT included)

Send over an email if interested with your name and delivery address (to calculate postage): arawasiorder@gmail.com

Nakajima Ki-43-I "Hayabusa" (Oscar) by Kenneth Henderson

Nichimo 1/48 Nakajima Ki-43-I "Oscar". I really had fun building this 51-year-old kit, which is definitely a better option than the Hasegawa early "Oscar". The only real drawback of this kit is the shallow wheel wells. Some will not like all of the rivets, but they are really well done, and after a coat of paint, they look pretty good! 

I was told years ago not to use all the interior parts for the engine mounts, etc., as they will never be seen once the model is completed. I totally forgot about this and ended up removing all of mine from the firewall and drilling a hole to mount a tube to which the engine could be attached. 

I painted the model with Gunze and MRP lacquer and weathered it with oils. I started out with Aeromaster decals, but ended up painting all of the stripes and using National Markings from Rising, as the Aeromaster decals are not quite accurate when looking at the photos of this machine in FAOW #13. 

The color scheme represents a 1st Hiko-Sentai Ki-43-I flown by Major Takeda Kinshiro from Hanoi, Indochina, in October 1942.

- Kenneth Henderson - 

Aichi D3A1 "Val", "Shokaku", Battle of Eastern Solomons - video

A quite well-known short film today features Aichi D3A1 "Val" dive bombers of the aircraft carrier "Shokaku" during the Battle of the Eastern Solomons.

Sidnei Maneta has a nice entry on his site, here, and I couldn't find anything to disprove or add to what he writes.

"EI-235 was flown by a wingman. EI-232 is in the foreground. By that time the planes had received a coat of green on the upper surface. The motion picture was taken by Lt. Keiichi Arima, observer of the 21st Shotai of Shokaku’s Type 99 Carrier Bomber Squadron in the 1st Strike Group at the Battle of the Eastern Solomons on 24 August, 1942. After striking the Enterprise for direct hits with 250-kg ordinary bombs, PO1c Tamotsu Akimoto, wingman of Arima in the 21st Shotai Type 99 carrier bomber EI-232, looks at the camera. The aircraft commander PO1c Hiroshi Koitabashi is in the rear cockpit. The crew of EI-235 might be PO2c Ryoroku Tsuchiya in the 22nd Shotai because only three out of nine second chutai of IJN Shokaku’s carrier bombers flew by Arima, Koitabashi and Tsuchiya survived in the fierce antiaircraft and interceptions by combat air patrol F4F."

Share your thoughts if you have a different opinion on the above or if there's anything you'd like to add.

Seaplane Ground Crews in the South Pacific

A collection of photos from vintage magazines of the '40s showcases the life of seaplane maintenance crews in the islands of the South Pacific. It is rather uncommon to see seaplane dioramas; perhaps these will provide some inspiration to modellers.

Two things before you start commenting:

1. all tail markings have been removed by the wartime censor

2. the most common underwear for men at the time was the "fundoshi".

Enjoy!

Mitsubishi F1M "Pete"

Mitsubishi F1M "Pete"

Nakajima E8N "Dave"

Mitsubishi F1M "Pete"

Mitsubishi F1M "Pete"

Mitsubishi F1M "Pete"

Mitsubishi F1M "Pete"

Mitsubishi F1M "Pete"

Mitsubishi F1M "Pete"

Mitsubishi F1M "Pete"

Note the guy waving the flag indicating to the Mitsubishi F1M "Pete" where to dock. The flag says "P3", probably indicating the unit. If that's the case then the "Pete" would belong to the 958 Kokutai which was based in Rabaul in 1943 and changed its marking to "58-" later the same year.

Mitsubishi F1M "Pete". Note the ground crew guy painting the tail marking. Green top camo but gray main float.

Mitsubishi F1M "Pete"

Mitsubishi F1M "Pete" and Aichi E13A "Jake". Very interesting is what looks like a control tower for the seaplanes in the background.

Last but not least a Nakajima A6M2-N "Rufe". Note the tarp covering the front of the plane and the tree branches "camouflaging" the starboard wing hinomaru.