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?
1 comment:
"What type of tasks would they be given?"
A perfect exmple is the wonderful account given on Arawasi, not too long ago, of the H6K flight from Japan to Taipei; loaded with bales of cash needed to support the economy of Formosa after the abrupt end of the war.
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