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.