HEADS UP! Aichi D3A2 "Val" by Wingsy in 1/48

Dear Friends

First of all, we wish you Happy Holidays and from the bottom of our hearts wish you good health, prosperity in your homes, and peaceful skies above in the coming 2026! May the New Year bring you and your loved ones many cozy evenings, exciting events, and the fulfillment of all your cherished dreams!

We are also pleased to announce that we have finally completed all work on our new 1/48 scale D3A2 "Val" model. Working in Ukraine is not the easiest of challenges right now, but we did it! Happy Builds!

Once again, Happy Holidays!

The Wingsy Kits team. 

Link: HERE!

Huge congratulations to Wingsy with plenty of love from Arawasi!

And thank you D. and Jan for the heads-up.

Nakajima Ki-27 "Nate", 17 Kyoiku Hikotai(?) - video

A short undated video today, forwarded by our friend Patrice Fresnel, features a flight of Nakajima Ki-27 "Nates", taking off and flying in formation.

The unit marking is visible and can also be seen in the photos below from a vintage publication, dated February 14, 1945.

A couple more photos of the unit from the same vintage publication.

Unfortunately, this tail marking has not been identified and therefore has not been included either in the IJAAF markings series of articles by Akimoto Minoru or in Pete Scott's "Emblems of the Rising Sun".

Nevertheless, the video title mentions that the "Nates" belong to the "117 Kyoiku Hikotai" and "Rising Decals" set RD72023 "Japanese Aircraft of Training Units" includes decals for aircraft number "99" seen in one of the photos above, and also mentions the unit as "117 Kyoiku Hikotai" based in Java. The problem with this suggestion is that the highest number of a known kyoiku hikotai is "115" and no "117 Kyoiku Hikotai" is mentioned in any Japanese source, except one ("Hishyo Eno Seishun", published by "Tachihi-kai", 1976 ). 

In this publication, the unit's marking is presented as follows.

I believe it is based on veteran recollection as no photos featuring the unit marking are included, but it is indeed very close to the marking in the video and the photos above.

A different Japanese source ("Dare ni sakeban", published by "Shohi Juniki-kai", 1983) unfortunately, also does not include any photos, but has more detailed historical research and data, and mentions that the unit based in Java with the number "117" is the "Dai 117 Kyoiku Hiko Rentai". Here's more about this and other training units of the 3rd Air Army, responsible for Indonesia, from this publication.

An Army Order dated July 21, 1943, established the 106 Kyoiku Hikodan (Training Wing) (Headquarters), the 116 Kyoiku Hiko Rentai (heavy bomber) based in Kalijati, West Java, and the 117 Kyoiku Hiko Rentai (fighter) based in Bandung, also in West Java, as well as the 1 Hikotai of the 3 Air Army.

During the March 8, 1944, reorganization six kyoiku hikotai were established. The 1st Chutai of the 117 Kyoiku Hiko Rentai, became the 17 Kyoiku Hikotai, the 2nd Chutai became the 34 Kyoiku Hikotai, and the 3rd  Chutai became the 35 Kyoiku Hikotai.

The information concerning the organization of the 17 Kyoiku Hikotai is confirmed by the publication "Hishyo Eno Seishun," which mentions that Major Munekata Tatsuo served as the commander and Captain Matsushima Mitsuru held the position of chutai commander.

Simply put, the only difference is that the "Hishyo Eno Seishun" publication mentions that the 17 Kyoiku Hikotai came from the "117 Kyoiku Hikotai", while the "Dare ni sakeban" explains more convincingly that it came from the 117 Kyoiku Hiko Rentai.

Based on the above, our conclusion is that either the marking in the video and the photos was originally used by the 117 Kyoiku Hiko Rentai and was later continued to be used by the 17 Kyoiku Hikotai or it was only used by the 17 Kyoiku Hikotai. In any case, since the photos are dated February 1945, the correct unit designation should be "17 Kyoiku Hikotai". 

Unfortunately, apart from the above, there is no additional Japanese source that confirms unequivocally that the "Nates" in the video/photos or the unit marking are associated with the 17 Kyoiku Hikotai. Thus, the marking confirmation needs to be regarded with caution.

Mitsubishi A6M "Zero", 201 Kokutai, Peleliu - video

A short video in color (not colorized) today, courtesy of our friend Patrice Fresnel, features a Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" captured by US forces on Peleliu Island. Only the rudder part of the tail marking is visible, but I believe it's the same aircraft seen in the photos below.

Therefore, the whole marking should be "1-01." It is not a common marking. Various kokutai occasionally used the "01-" as their tail marking, like the 501 Ku , the 701 Ku, and the 1001 Ku. I spotted a photo of a "Zero" on p. 62 of the book "Tatakau Zero Sen" (Fighting Zero Fighter), and on the tail, it sports the marking "1-114." The caption makes it clear that it was flown by the 201 Kokutai, and as a result, my conclusion is that the aircraft in the video most probably belonged to the same unit. The 201Ku has been recorded as using the tail markings "WI-" and "01-" by Akimoto and others, but not "1-." As you can see from the unit history below (from the Japanese Wikipedia ), Peleliu was the main base of the unit, and it fits with the time and place of the video.

Thank you Patrice for the most interesting video.

On 1 October 1939, the Chitose Kokutai was organised as a land-based attack aircraft unit, simultaneously incorporating an escort fighter squadron. From early 1941, ChitoseKu deployed to the Marshall Islands, tasked with being the first line of defence against American fleets approaching from Pearl Harbor. The fighter unit remained attached to the land-based attack squadron for an extended period, undertaking air defence duties over the Marshall Islands and the Gilbert Islands. 

On November 16, 1942, the exhausted ChitoseKu land-based attack squadron was ordered to return to the home islands. However, the fighter unit, lacking replacement personnel, was decided to remain in the Marshalls. Taking this opportunity, the fighter squadron was detached from the ChitoseKu on December 1, 1942, establishing the 201st Kokutai. Operating with 45 aircraft against an authorised strength of 60, it was assigned to the 24th Koku Sentai (Air Squadron) of the 11 Koku Kantai (Air Fleet) and was deployed to Roi-Namur Island in the Kwajalein Atoll, Wake Island, and Taroa in the Maloelap Atoll, continuing air defence of the Marshals. On December 23, 1942, 26 B-24s attacked Wake Island; two were shot down. 

On January 29, 1943, the Taroa detachment advanced to Nauru Island. On February 27, the 252nd Kokutai arrived at Roi-Namur and replaced the 201Ku, which was ordered to return to the home islands. Up until that time the 201Ku was equipped with Mitsubishi A5M "Claude" fighters which was deemed obsolete. 

In March, the 201Ku abandoned its "Claudes" for "Zeros", personnel and equipment alone were transported aboard the Fujikawa Maru and Naruto Maru, returning to Kisarazu Airfield.

On May 18, the 201Ku was transferred to the 24 Koku Sentai (Air Squadron) of the Northern Force's 12 Koku Kantai (Air Fleet) and engaged in reorganisation work at Kisarazu. However, following the US landing on Rendova Island in the Solomon Islands on June 30, 1943, and their shift to full-scale counteroffensive operations, the unit was ordered on July 1, to advance rapidly to Rabaul. On July 15, it was incorporated into the 21 Koku Sentai of the 11 Koku Kantai and an advance party of 34 aircraft arrived at Rabaul. The next day it advanced to Bougainville. On August 1, it escorted a convoy bombing squadron towards Rendova Island, conducting 11 sorties throughout August. On August 4, encountered enemy fighter squadrons over Munda and engaged in aerial combat. Subsequently, engaged enemy fighter squadrons over Munda on three occasions. On August 25, launched a raid on the Biloa position, on Vella Lavella Island. Subsequently, conducted two sorties to bombard the Biloa position. On September 1, incorporated into the 26t Koku Sentai of the 11 Koku Kantai. On September 15, "Operation Se" (withdrawal from Kolombangara Island) commenced. During this period, resumed assault operations against Biloa positions. On September 22, the Battle of Finschhafen commenced. Assaulted enemy landing fleet. On October 12, first air raid on Rabaul. Deployed full strength for air defence. On October 22, advanced to Buka. On November 1, "Operation Ro" commenced. Engaged in air defence duties in the Buka area until its conclusion on the 12th. On December 15, enemy transport convoy attacked; sortie also launched the following day. On December 27, assaulted Cape Gloucester. By January 1944, operational aircraft had gradually dwindled to just over 30. With the defence of Rabaul deemed hopeless and the counteroffensive in the Inner South Seas commencing, the 201Ku was ordered to withdraw to the Truk Islands and Saipan for air defence of the Inner South Seas.

In January 1944, Kwajalein Atoll, the original base of the 201Ku, fell. During that month, the main force withdrew via Truk Atoll to Saipan Island, becoming part of the air defence force for Truk and the Mariana Islands. The Saipan main force comprised 29 aircraft, while the Truk detachment had 8 aircraft. 

February 17, 1944: Truk Island air raid. The 8-aircraft detachment intercepted with full force, losing all aircraft. The main force of 24 aircraft advanced to Truk in preparation for the next air raid. 22 February: Mariana Islands air raid. The four aircraft left behind intercepted with full force, all were lost. 

March 4: The Central Pacific Area Fleet and 14 Koku Kantai were newly formed and placed under their command. The strength was greatly increased to 96 aircraft. As the first phase, the 204 Kokutai was disbanded and incorporated. 

March 10: The main force withdrew from Truk to Peleliu Airfield in the Palau Islands and engaged in reinforcement work. Withdrawal was completed by the 23rd. Some personnel were dispatched to Davao for receiving new aircraft and training. On March 29, the Palau Air Raid occurred. The remaining force intercepted with all strength, losing every aircraft. The 201Ku met with the tragic fate of its remnant forces being annihilated three times at three different bases, each time exploiting the absence of the main force. The 201Ku was finally destroyed. However, the unit was to be rebuilt by personnel dispatched to Davao and Kisarazu while Peleliu was unguarded. When the main force at Peleliu was destroyed, 99 aircrew remained at Davao, and 14 aircraft with personnel remained at Kisarazu. The unit's headquarters requested training at Kisarazu, but the Combined Fleet refused. The remnants of the 201Ku assembled at Davao and prepared for the next operation...

Aichi M6A1 "Seiran" in color!

A color (not colorized) photo of an Aichi M6A1 "Seiran" found at the end of the war by U.S. forces. It has been circulating on the net for quite some time but without any further information. 

If you have the publication "Toraware no Nihongunki Hiroku," I believe it's the same "Seiran" featured on p. 167, seen in the photo below.

According to the book, that seaplane was found at Aichi's Eitoku factory in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture. It was damaged by an air raid and, until the end of the war, it was undergoing repairs. 

As you can see in the color photo, it was in overall experimental orange, and then it had green applied as camouflage on the top surfaces. Note that the ID plate near the tail still has its orange background. 

The orange paint can be seen best on the underside of the floats. Personally, if I want to go straight out of the bottle, I prefer Tamiya's X-6 orange. No muss, no fuss. 

I also use AMMO's "orange," "light rust," and "candy red" in the "Shader" series to break the uniformity of the overall orange. 

Note also the presence of IFF stripes at the wing's edge. They are very similar to the underside orange but not exactly the same. My favorite, again out-of-the-bottle, paint is Mr. Color #58 "orange yellow," or Acrysion #24 "orange yellow," or Mr. Color #109 "character yellow." They are all a bit bright, and if I want to be more accurate, I airbrush a coat of Tamiya X-26 "clear orange" to darken them.

Note that the propeller blades are "brown." Tamiya says XF-9 "Hull Red"; okay, why not? Tamiya's XF-64 "red brown" is also good. XF-9 is darker but also a bit red for my taste; XF-64 is too light but could work if I didn't have any other paint around. Personally, I prefer Mr. Color's #131 "propeller color." One coat and you're done.

As for the top color... well, Tamiya says AS-1 "Dark Green (IJN)," but based on the photo, I don't see anything wrong with XF-70 "Dark Green 2 (IJN)." 

Note that the spinner is the same color with the green of the top surfaces; not brown. 

Last but not least, note the exhausts. XF-9 or rust? The rusty pipe in the foreground is a good reference, right?

And also, let's not forget, having a quick look at the wheel cover, the "Zero?" behind the "Seiran" with the weird, at least to me, top color. Is it green? Is it gray-green? Who can tell? 

Wait, does it have a solid rear canopy? Could it actually be a Yokosuka D4Y "Suisei" (Judy)? What do you think?

Nakajima B6N "Tenzan" (Jill), Okinawa Kokutai

A NARA set of photos today features a very badly wrecked Nakajima B6N "Tenzan" (Jill) belonging to the Okinawa Kokutai, as indicated by the katakana "オキ-" (OKI-) on the tail. This rather obscure naval escort IJNAF unit was established on April 15, 1944, with 40 Aichi E13A "Jake" seaplanes and 24 torpedo bombers, and primarily conducted maritime escort duties between Kagoshima and Okinawa. It was integrated into the 951st Kokutai on December 15, 1944.

It was deployed across various locations in the Ryukyu Islands, but its main base was IJN's Oroku Airfield (小禄飛行場) on Okinawa, which opened in 1933 as a civilian airfield. It took its name from the village with the same name in the area but changed at least three times from "Oroku" to "Naha" and back. During WWII, it was known as "Naha Airfield." In January 1943, the "Ryukyu Islands Area Kokutai" (Nanseishoto Homen Kokutai) was designated as the administrative unit for air bases in the Ryukyu Islands. Its headquarters was established at this base, and the Oroku Detachment of the 3rd Reconnaissance Hikotai, 25th Koku Sentai (Air Fleet), was permanently stationed there. However, following air raids from October 1944, the base lost all its aircraft and ceased functioning as an airfield. It was subsequently occupied by US forces during the invasion in April 1945.

Nakajima B6N2 "Tenzan" (Jill) of the Okinawa Kokutai. The aircraft was found in dilapitated condition under a wrecked hangar at Oroku/Naha Airfield. According to the original caption:

"A view of the devastated hangar at Naha Airfield. A wrecked Jill is the only plane in the hangar; an M2A1 is visible in the background"

A closeup of the same aircraft.

The same Nakajima B6N2 "Tenzan" (Jill) of the Okinawa Kokutai, found at Oroku/Naha Airfield from a different angle confirms the unit's marking "オキ-" (OKI-).

One last photo of the same aircraft.

It is not easy to tell the difference between a Nakajima B6N2 "Tenzan" (Jill) and a Nakajima C6N1 "Saiun" (Myrt), especially if the aircraft in question is in really bad condition. The photos of the particular aircraft help us out by showing the small fuselage windows present in the "Tenzan" but absent in the "Saiun," and the peculiarly angled radio antenna mast of the "Tenzan." Note also the position of the horizontal tail surfaces.

Another photo of an OkinawaKu aircraft, this time it's the tail of a Nakajima B5N "Kate".

Nohara Shigeru created artwork for the Nakajima B5N "Kate" seen in the previous photo, and was featured in FAOW #32.

"East China Sea Anti-Submarine Attack" - February 27, 1944
The "Tamo 05 Convoy" consisting of Nippon Maru (former Swedish ship Nimpu), San Luis Maru, Chihaya Maru, France Maru, Shunten Maru, Bokuyo Maru and Aso Maru, escorted by Patrol Boat 38 (ex-destroyer Yomogi), Auxiliary Gunboat Chojusan Maru and Auxiliary Subchaser/Minesweeper Tama Maru No. 7, came under attack by a US submarine.

According to "combinedfleet" :
"CEYLON MARU is carrying 148 military passenger, 4,000-tons of bauxite and 300-tons of general cargo.
27 February 1944:
East China Sea. At 2058, LtCdr (later KIA) John A. Moore's (USNA ’32) USS GRAYBACK (SS-208) uses her last two torpedoes on CEYLON MARU. Hit aft in the No. 3 hold, she floods and at 2103 sinks by the stern off Ojika Island, NE Kyushu at 31-35N, 127-47E. 95 troops and 46 crewmen are KIA."

According to Wikipedia:
"Grayback's tenth patrol, her most successful in terms of tonnage sunk, was also her last. She sailed from Pearl Harbor on 28 January 1944 for the East China Sea. On 24 February, Grayback radioed that she had sunk two cargo ships on 19 February and had damaged two others (Taikei Maru and Toshin Maru sunk). On 25 February, she transmitted her second and final report. That morning, she had sunk tanker Nanho Maru and severely damaged Asama Maru. With only two torpedoes remaining, she was ordered home from patrol. Due to reach Midway on 7 March, Grayback did not arrive. On 30 March, ComSubPac listed her as missing and presumed lost with all hands.
From captured Japanese records, the submarine's last few days were pieced together after World War II. Heading home through the East China Sea after attacking convoy Hi-40 on 24 February, Grayback used her last two torpedoes to sink the freighter Ceylon Maru on 27 February. Later that same day, a Japanese aircraft carrier-based Nakajima B5N (Allied reporting name "Kate") torpedo bombers, probably launched from the aircraft carrier Zuikaku spotted Grayback on the surface in the East China Sea and attacked, hitting her with a 250-kilogram (551 lb) aerial bomb. According to Japanese reports, the submarine "exploded and sank immediately," but antisubmarine craft were called in to depth-charge the area, clearly marked by a trail of air bubbles, until at last a heavy oil slick swelled to the surface."

So, Wiki says that a "Kate" from Zuikaku sunk the submarine, but combinedfleet mentions: "GRAYBACK is later sunk by Nakajima B5N2 "Kates" of the Okinawa Naval Air Group."
Japanese sources mention that one "Kate" that took off from Oroku Airfield "spotted a surfaced submarine attacking the convoy, bombed it with an anti-submarine bomb No. 25, and scored a direct hit."
Other Japanese sources mention:
"On February 26, 1944, the Greyback was damaged by an attack from Japanese Navy aircraft in the East China Sea. However, the following day the Greyback is presumed to have sunk the Japanese transport ship Ceylon Maru. Records indicate that on the same day, Japanese naval carrier-based attack aircraft spotted and attacked a surfaced submarine in the East China Sea. Reports state this submarine ‘exploded and sank with a great roar.’ The Japanese forces then dispatched anti-submarine patrol vessels to conduct depth charge attacks on an area where a distinct trail of bubbles remained, resulting in a vast amount of oil spilling onto the sea surface."

So, the conclusion from the above is that two attacks on the submarine took place: one from a "Kate" that took off from Oroku/Naha Airfield and damaged the sub and then a second attack by Zuikaku(?) "Kates" that finished(?) it. Followed by depth charge attacks.

As mentioned above, Akimoto and other Japanese sources state that OkinawaKu was established in April 1944, after the incident, nevertheless some Japanese sources mention: "Its status as a kokutai in terms of organisation is questioned due to the absence of documents such as establishment tables or personnel registers. However, personnel orders were actually issued in the Naval Appointment Gazette". 
So, if Akimoto's date is correct, then it can't be a "Kate" from OkinawaKu. Perhaps an aircraft from the "Oroku Detachment of the 3rd Reconnaissance Hikotai, 25th Koku Sentai (Air Fleet)"? 

On November 11, 2019, the wreck of USS Grayback (SS-208) was discovered off the coast of Japan by veteran ocean explorer Tim Taylor, CEO of Tiburon Subsea, and his ‘Lost 52 Project’ team. This discovery that occurred on 5 June 2019 at a depth of 1,427 feet (435 metres), has been officially confirmed by the United States Navy.
According to the press release:
"In preparing for this expedition, Japanese historical researcher Mr Yutaka Iwasaki, a member of the team, re-translated primary sources and pinpointed locations. He noticed discrepancies in the longitude information within documents written in 1946 after the war. This original error remained uncorrected for 75 years, until the discovery by the “Lost 52 Team”. Mr Iwasaki newly identified and translated Japanese military attack records, enabling the expedition team to reset the search area to the waters southwest of Okinawa. Then, on 5 June 2019, in waters 100 miles (160 km) away from the location indicated by conventional WWII historical records, the team found the Grayback on the final survey line of their last survey area." 
Check the video here.

Kawasaki Ki-45 "Toryu" (Nick), 13 Sentai

Today's set of photos feature a Kawasaki Ki-45 "Toryu" (Nick) found by US forces at Cape Gloucester Airfield (Tuluvu) belonging to the 13th Sentai. Some of the photos were contributed by our friend Patrice Fresnel, others are from NARA and the net.

Kawasaki Ki-45 "Toryu" (Nick) flown by the 13 Sentai found at Cape Gloucester (Tuluvu) in January 1944. The aircraft had made an emergency landing, note the bent propeller blades, and then was straffed but otherwise it was in fairly good condition.

As with most, if not all, "Nicks" the rather complicated top camouflage was applied at the Kawasaki factory and therefore it was very neatly painted and was less prone to flaking than those applied at the depots. Note that unlike the fuselage hinomaru, the wing hinomaru do not have a white ring and the camouflage is painted around them. On the fuselage, the hinomaru have white ring and they were painted over the camouflage. 

In this and the previous photo we can see that the port engine is missing but the landing gear is still keeping the plane upright. 

In the belly of the "Nick" a Type 98 37mm Tank Gun, standard equippment of the Type 95 "Ha-Go" Light Tank, was installed. This was a special modification for only a small number of aircraft to give the aircraft some punch against the heavier US bombers. All Japanese sources agree that the particular aircraft was a Ki-45 Kai-Ko.

Unfortunately the Type 98 37mm Tank Gun was hand loaded by the rear observer and therefore its rate of fire was approximately one round every 30 seconds, making it virtually useless during aerial combat. It could deliver a devastating blow against a bomber though. In the photo we can see the gun breech in the observer's position.

The unit's tail marking at the time consisted of a stylized representation of the unit's number "13" comprised number "1" and three bars. The serial number of the aircraft was "1023" and the last two digits were repeated on the tail above the unit marking. In the previous photos the part of the tail marking on the rudder looks darker than the rest of the marking and some artists have depicted it in red, suggesting that perhaps it was a replacement? Nevertheless the camouflage pattern on the rudder matches the rest of the tail and the number "23", from the aircraft's serial number, is painted on the rudder; if the rudder was from a different aircraft it would have a number not matching the serial number. There are many reasons why the canvas covered rudder would look darker than the metal covered parts of the tail.

Artwork by Devlin Chouinard.

A depiction of the Tuluvu "Nick" from War Thunder. Not bad at all except for the innacurate wing hinomaru.

The formation ceremony of the 13 Sentai was held on March 15, 1938, at Kakogawa Airfield, Hyogo Prefecture.

At that time the unit was equipped with Kawasaki Ki-10 "Perry" fighters but these were soon replaced with Nakajima Ki-27 "Nates". 

In September 1941, relocated to Taisho Airfield in Osaka and in December moved to Kashiwa Airfield, Chiba Prefecture, assigned to Tokyo air defence

In August 1942, changed its aircraft to Kawasaki Ki-45 "Toryu" (Nick).

In April 1943, commenced advance into the South Pacific. Concentrated at Rabaul by late June. Relocated to the Eastern New Guinea/Wewak front in July.

August 16: Air raid engulfed most aircraft on the ground in flames, causing severe difficulties for air defence. (Operational aircraft numbered only eight by late September). Retreated through Wakde Island, Ambon, and Kendari.

April 1944: Transferred to Halmahera Island. Reorganised with the Nakajima Ki-43 "Hayabusa" (Oscar) as the primary aircraft type. Engaged in combat across various sectors of the New Guinea front.

October 1944: Reorganised at Itami Airfield with the Nakajima Ki-43  "Hayabusa" Model III.

Continued combat operations across various sectors of the New Guinea front until November of the same year. In New Guinea, the squadron was reconfigured with the "Hayabusa" as the primary aircraft.

December 3: Transferred to the Porac (Philippines) area and reorganized again with the Kawasaki Ki-45 "Toryu" as the primary aircraft.

December 6: Supported the Burauen Paratrooper Raid.

December 14: Squadron commander killed in action while supporting the "Kikusui Special Attack Unit" (9 heavy bombers), combat strength halved. Subsequently recovered strength at Saigon, reorganising with 10 Nakajima Ki-84 "Hayate" (Frank) and 20 Nakajima Ki-43 "Hayabusa" fighters.

March 1945: Transferred to Singapore. Participated in "Operation Meigo" and other operations.

July of the same year, withdrew to Pingtung Airfield, Taiwan, where the end of the war found it.

Hasegawa has released two 13 Sentai "Toryu" kits. The one depicted here is in 1/72, number #00810. It includes decals for the Tuluvu "Nick".  

The other kit is number #09925 and is in 1/48. It too includes decals for the Tuluvu "Nick".