Air Battle over Kyushu

In the previous post of this series, we "briefly" discussed the fierce air battle over South Kyushu on March 18, 1945. Since then, more details have been found thanks to our good friend Patrice Fresnel. We also dug up quite some information from Japanese sources that put the events of the day into order, at least for the fighter units and the shot down Vought F4U Corsair we saw in the previous post.
Here we go.

From Patrice (original post by Mark Herber):
"18 March 1945 (Lucky Day)
Love Day-14
Seventy-eight years ago today, Carrier Air Group EIGHTY-THREE (CVG-83) made their combat debut.
Essex's first two air groups (Nine and Fifteen) had been initiated with hit-and-run raids on Marcus and Wake Atolls, gaining “lower-stress” combat experience before major operations against the toughest targets. Some aviators of Air Group Four had previous combat experience in North Africa and Norway in USS Ranger (CV-4), and in the Philippines on Bunker Hill before boarding Essex.
But CVG-83's first combat missions were strikes on the Japanese Home Islands...
The new or reformed groups joining Eighty-three on this day were Five (Franklin), Six (Hancock), Ten (Intrepid), and Eighty-six (Wasp)...
By design, and like all of the air groups making their debut, Eighty-three’s compliment was leavened with combat veterans, and they could share their experiences and lessons with the rookies to try and bring them home in one piece...
Approximately 17 percent of the pilots had previous combat experience, most as pilots, and a few as ship’s company on surface combatants. For many—but not all—their first combat after forming as a group about ten-and-a-half months earlier was today. All that training would be put to the test...."

Quoting the VBF-83 Unofficial Memoirs:
"Prior to dawn on 18 March 1945, pilots were undergoing an internal struggle of mixed emotions as they assembled in Ready Room One. Each pilot knew his assignment and each pilot also realized that he was going to parade his might and aggressiveness over the Japanese Homeland. But, he was well prepared and very eager. Spirit was high and the Squadron clowns were having a field day with little digs and witticisms. The Skipper, Lt . Cdr. F. A. PATRIARCA requested order as he gave us a last-minute fight speech and a few words of wisdom. Signal, "Pilots man planes", saw all pilots who weren't flying making a gala appearance on the Bridge to see the Corsairs off the deck and on the way. Our slogan was, "Good luck and good hunting."
...As mentioned for the 17th, tensions for the task force increased the night before, when snoopers located TF 58, and Stembel opened fire before midnight. After a lull, condition one was set in Essex’s at 0305 until 0355, and again at 0452!
The accelerated, aforementioned zipper mission consisting of VF-83’s four-plane night fighter contingent launched around 0415 initiated the day’s sorties. One Night Hellcat had to turn back due to a loose hood (canopy), but the other three headed to Nittagahara Airfield in the dark, arriving and strafing before sunrise. Because of the light (or lack thereof), no damage was assessable by the aviators."

So, the first raid against Japanese positions started at 04:52. Let's see what Japanese sources say about that.
In "The fierce battle of the Japanese Air Force over the mainland - B-29s vs. the Japanese Air Force", Bungeisunju 2001, p.372, Watanabe Yoji mentions:
"The first to penetrate were night-fighting F6Fs accompanying a Type 1 land attack plane [Mitsubishi G4M "Betty"] returning from a reconnaissance mission...In the blink of an eye, the land attack plane ["Betty"] was shot down in night combat."

Following this (from Patrice):
"At 0552, VBF-83's first missions were launched, consisting of a task group (TG) combat air patrol (CAP), submarine CAP (SubCAP), and a fighter sweep to Karasahara, Nittagahara, and Tomitaka airfields. Unfortunately, the mission was fouled up from the get go due to a number of factors, with most of the Corsairs forming up on Lt.(jg) Warren O. Sigman, and only three forming up on Patriarca. Over Tomitaka, the Japanese had aircraft aloft, and some wild dogfights ensued. Eight Japanese aircraft were claimed destroyed. However, Sigman and Lt.(jg) W. F. Garner were missing afterwards.
The first victor was Lt.(jg) James C. Sakellariades, who was taken to the bridge after trapping to shake Rear Admiral Frederick C. Sherman's hand. “The Greek” was so excited with the victory that he hugged the battle-hardened admiral! “Sakes’s” fellow officers in the junior officers' bunk room teased him about hugging the admiral!"

Let's see what Japanese sources say:
""Senshi Sosho #17" mentions that "at 05:50, over Kasanohara [only localy known as "Kasanbara"; not "Karasahara" as mentioned in the previous source], 25 Zeros belonging to the "Sento 312" (312 Fighter Squadron) of the "203 Kokutai" (203 Air Group) took off and fought against F4Us over Kushira and Sakurajima."

In his article in MARU magazine, issue 557, October 1992, CPO Tanimizu Takeo who was with the 312 Fighter Squadron, mentions the following regarding the events of the day:
"As March began, even the previously calm South Kyushu began receiving standby orders. On the early morning of 18 March, while preparing for a reconnaissance mission based on intelligence, at 05:50, the order to form the first line was given simultaneously with the sound of gunfire and flames rising in the direction of Kagoshima. ‘Air raid! Take off!’ I shouted loudly, drawing on my experience from the battlefield. As I later learned, this was due to a surprise attack by enemy night fighters targeting reconnaissance aircraft returning to Kagoshima [Note again the mention of enemy night fighters intercepting Japanese aircraft on a reconnaissance mission]. Immediately, 25 Zero fighters Model 52, which had been on standby, took off.
However, since they were not accustomed to emergency takeoffs as a training unit, three aircraft were severely damaged during takeoff (two crew members were injured). I was on leave for treatment of otitis, so I was excluded from the intercept formation and assigned to ground command. At dawn, I could see two aircraft scattered to the left and three to the right at an altitude of 5,000 to 6,000 metres. I thought we needed to gather quickly and form a formation, so I issued instructions to each aircraft by radio, but they could not gather easily."

From the above it is clear that Tanimizu-san did not fly and did not actively participate in the air combat that day. 
Watanabe Yoji in the previously mentioned book mentions:
"At 5:40 a.m., at Kasanohara Base in Kagoshima Prefecture, Lt Hayashi Yoshihiro, commander of the 203rd Air Group's 312th Fighter Squadron, was delivering a pre-mission briefing before taking off on a reconnaissance mission... All aircraft immediately took off, but before they could gain altitude, the first wave of approximately 150 F4U fighters swept in from above, overwhelming them. Captain Hayashi was hit and parachuted out, sustaining injuries and being taken to the underground bunker at the airfield. For the captain, who had previously served as a squadron leader in a training unit, this was his first aerial combat. He reportedly lamented to his right-hand man, CPO Tanimizu Takeo, ‘If this is how my first battle goes, I'm finished for life.’ "

So, from the above we can conclude that Tanimizu-san did not shoot down anyone that day. The two Corsairs flown  by "Sigman and Lt.(jg) W. F. Garner" were shot down over Tomitaka, so they do not seem to have been shot down by 312 Fighter Squadron Zeros. More about the "Tomitaka Zeros" later.

Moving on (from Patrice):
"By 0630, the first strike was off, consisting of 16 VF, 13 VB, and 15 VT, to hit Nittagahara again. There were three airborne Japanese aircraft in the area, but none approached. Unfortunately, the bombers were rusty and encountered strong (40 knot plus) winds, and results were not what was expected after their months of intense training (and lack of a "warm-up" strike). The pilots had to be impressed to "pick the specific hangar and then a specific nail in its roof."
Sadly, one of the VT-83 Avengers (BuNo 68388), flown by Ens. John L. Kiernan, with gunner William E. Parsons, Jr., ARM3c, lost its wings in a dive--a rare case of a structural failure by a licensed product of the Grumman Iron Works."

"Senshi Sosho #17" mentions that:
"At 06:25, 25 Zeros from the "Sento 303" (303 Fighter Squadron) of the "203 Kokutai" (203 Air Group), split into two groups took off from Kanoya on patrol, when they encountered 15-16 F6Fs ensuing in air battle. The Japanese forces claimed three F6F shot down while admiting to having seven of their own aircraft damaged."

Tanimizu-san remembers:
"Around 0700, a combined enemy fighter and bomber force of approximately 250 aircraft attacked, and our forces engaged in combat with about 30 enemy fighters over various areas including Kushira, Kasanohara, Sakurajima, and Kanoya. The results were one F6F shot down, but LTJG Yabe Yasuji, PO1c Yamaguchi Iwao, and CPO Yukitake Yoshihiro(?) were listed as missing in action. Additionally, during this intercept mission, Squadron Leader Hayashi was hit in aerial combat over Sakurajima, parachuted, but was admitted to the infirmary at Kasanohara Base with burns. The other interceptor aircraft landed at Izumi Base and Kokubu Base, and conducted air patrols over Kagoshima and Kasanohara. No aircraft returned to Kasanohara Base. The enemy's combined fighter-bomber attack destroyed the first barracks and the third and sixth hangars at Kasanohara Base, and fuel drums stored in the open were hit."

Pilots of the 312 Fighter Squadron, in February 1945. The 203 Kokutai was a newly reorganized unit with only a handful pilots having combat experience. Photo credit: MARU #557

Pilots of the 303 Fighter Squadron of the 203 Kokutai, in June 1945. Photo credit: MARU #557

Let's turn our attention to the "Tomitaka Zeros".
Tomitaka Airfield was the base of the "Sento 306" (306 Fighter Squadron) and "Sento 307" of the 712 Kokutai (712 Air Group) a.k.a. "Jinrai Butai", the famous unit equipped with "Ohka". But these fighter squadrons were equipped with Zeros and had altogether 64 aircraft on standby. As of this post, we have not found detailed accounts of the battles of these two fighter squadrons.

The Action Report of VBF83 mentions:
"Course was set for Tomitaka. At 1550 when about 30 miles from TOMITAKA; nine Zekes were called by the sweep leader. They were in 3-3 plane sections, 5000f above. A high speed climb was begun, to even the altitude. They apparently didn't see the F4U’s, as they continued level flight, not maneuvering for better visibility, and drifted away to the south. One bomb that had failed to release was directed at TOMITAKA hangars, while other planes strafed. Rendezvous was begun southeast to seaward. 
Lt. STEVEN’s plane was seen trailing a thin wisp of smoke, apparently having been hit by AA, and here the F4U’s were attacked by 25-30 Zekes. Lt. STEVENS’s plane was taken into the middle of the group and a tight know of weaving and maneuvering planes fought all around him. At high speed, the F4U's were able to maneuver with, and sometimes out-maneuver the Zeke 52’s. For 15 minutes there was continuous action. Lt. STEVENS’s plane was still smoking, and the fight was being maneuvered southward to a submarine position. This was accomplished by pilots who finding themselves on the outer fringe of the fight would rejoin on the south side. The F4U’s were able, because of greater firepower, to either blast or scare, the Zekes off their tails. The F4U pilots, by coming to the aid of one another when Zekes were on their tails escaped with 2 planes damaged by Zeke’s 50 calibre fire. Final score: destroyed nine, probably destroyed four, known to have damaged two….
Pilots feel certain that Lt. STEVENS’s plane was not hit again by Zekes. However, after the engagement, his plane was smoking more heavily. H, had been moved about 15 miles toward rescue sub, and was able to fly another 10 miles before ditching. He was seen to get out of his plane, but did not get his raft out. Three rafts were dropped near by, but he was not seen to have reached any of them. Rescue sub was contacted and given an accurate plot, and Ens. BOULDIN stayed till fuel forced him home. 
An interesting Jap[sic] tactic was observed prior to the ditching. After the fight had been broken off and the divisions were rendezvousing above Lt. STEVENS, the sweep leader remained behind Lt. STEVENS, awaiting the water lending. He looked behind and there at about 1000 yards, slightly above, were 3 Zekes. They made no effort to close, apparently waiting for some choice shots after the ditching. The sweep leader turned directly into them and fired at the leader at long range. They immediately scattered and were not seen again."

Japanese claims and losses:

After the March 18, 1945, air battles the two 203Ku fighter squadrons claimed three enemy aircraft shot down and three damaged. They admited losing: seven Zeros shot down, four failed to return, seven burned on the ground, one seriously damaged, four more slightly damaged and a total of eleven aircraft received hits.
The two 712Ku fighter squadrons claimed 19(!) F4U shot down, five damaged and three unconfirmed. Also three F6F shot down. They admited losing four Zeros shot down, 19(!) failed to return and eight Zeros received hits. 

US claims and losses (from Patrice):
"VBF-83 (flying F4U-1D Corsairs) claimed 18 kills over Japanese aircraft. These kills were claimed by 15 different pilots.... 
In addition to the pilot and air crew losses listed above, two Hellcats (one -5 & one -5N), five Corsairs, and one TBM* were lost."

I'm afraid this a bit confusing to me. So, total eight Corsairs were shot down? Five plus the three (Sigman, Garner and Stevens)?

In conclusion. If the three Corsairs (Sigman, Garner and Stevens) were indeed shot down over Tomitaka, on the "right side" of Kyushu, then they were all shot down by the two 712Ku fighter squadrons, not by the 203Ku fighter squadrons based and operating on the "left side or middle" of Kyushu Island.

Very special thanks to Patrice Fresnel!

"Toraware no Nihonki" #16 - Mitsubishi A6M "Zero with Green Crosses 零戦, 中支航空隊, 龍華飛行場 上海, 緑十字

At the end of the war a number of Zeros and other aircraft including Mitsubishi J2M "Raiden" (Jack), were found in Longhua airfield in Shanghai with an unusual tail marking. It's the kanji "中" which signified the unit "中支航空隊" (Chushi Kokutai - Central China Air Group) which was organized in February 20, 1945, with various IJNAF dispatched elements of various kokutai, that were based at the time in China. It was one of the Otsu kokutai meaning it was mainly assigned to airfield/base protection duties.

The first Zero is a Model 21. Behind it is a Mitsubishi K3M "Pine" crew trainer.

Although the marking "中1" can be seen in this photo, the rest of the marking is on the piece of fabric that has been removed. In the previous photo though, it should have been visible as it is written in the oposite direction. Unfortunately the previous photo is not of the best quality and therefore I can't be 100% sure of the complete tail marking. Note the fuselage hinomaru with the white surround.

Another photo of the Mitsubishi K3M "Pine" trainers.

A photo featuring on the left the tail of a "中133" Zero, the Model 21 of the first photo in the middle and the Mitsubishi K3M "Pine" of the first photo on the right.

Another Zero found in the same location was a Model 52 Otsu.

Although the "中" part of the tail marking is not visible, the location the aircraft was found confirms the unit. So tail marking for this Zero is "中132" (no hyphen).

Another photo of the "中132" Model 52 Otsu Zero, revealing that a part of the tail number "32" was repeated on the cowling lip.

This photo features a Nakajima built A6M7 Model 62 or 63.

Again the "中" part of the tail marking is missing but a closeup reveals that there is indeed a tail marking which I believe is "中153". Actually this can be confirmed by noticing that the two last digits of the tail number are repeated on the wheel cover of the original photo (thanks Martin). 

Of particular interest is the wing hinomaru with the darker green surround and the position of the white box with the cross. Note also the white lines on the cowling.

This one...I don't know. In the background are the three aircraft in the first five photos (the "中132" Model 52 Otsu Zero, the Model 21 and the Mitsubishi K3M "Pine") but I can't identify the model of the Zero in the foreground. Any ideas? And what's with the white patch on the fuselage next to the cockpit? And where is the green cross on the wing?

"Toraware no Nihonki" #15 - Mitsubishi A6M "Zero with Green Crosses 零戦, 緑十字

The original AWM photo caption mentions:

"A Japanese A6M3 Model 22 Zero fighter aircraft of the Imperial Japanese Navy. This Zero, serial number 3844, was found intact by Allied forces at Kara airstrip near Buin after the surrender. On 15 September a Wirraway of 5 Squadron RAAF arrived with personnel to make an inspection. The aircraft was clearly airworthy, and had been repainted overall white with green crosses for identification as required under the surrender terms. Wing Commander William Kofoed RNZAF decided to ferry it to the RNZAF airstrip at Bougainville. The Zero remained there until mid-October, when it departed by ship for New Zealand. It is now in the collection of the Auckland War Memorial Museum, NZ."

A non-Japanese online source adds:

"Assigned to an unknown Kōkūtai (Air Group) with tail code 2-152....

"In 1945, as a morale boosting exercise for roughly sixty to seventy Japanese Navy maintenance personnel stationed at Kara Airfield, this Zero was repaired to flying condition using parts from several other Zeros including including A6M3 Zero 3616, A6M3 Model 32 Zero 3278 and A6M3 Model 32 Zero 3217. The repaired Zero retained the identity of A6M3 Zero 3844 including the manufacture number stencil on the rear fuselage.

"By July 1945, the repaired Zero was restored to flyable condition and was reported by radio to headquarters at Rabaul. Soon afterwards, Petty Officer Sekizen Shibayama was flown as a passenger aboard E13A1 Jake that took off from Rabaul and landed off Buin (Kahili) where he went ashore and was taken to Kara Airfield. Shibayama planned to test fly the Zero then fly it to Rabaul, but the Pacific War ended before this was accomplished."

A more detailed account with more photos can be found here.

Nevertheless FAOW Special #6 mentions on page 136:

"One of the Zeros built in Rabaul [we saw in part #14 of this series] with parts from various aircraft. The front of the aircraft including the engine has serial number 3835. The rear s/n 3844. The cowling s/n 3616, the machine gun and pannel s/n 3278 and 3217. Note that the spinner is clearly a Mitsubishi built for a Model 21. 

The tail marking of the aircraft was "2-182"."

More photos of the aircraft from here

"Toraware no Nihonki" #14 - Mitsubishi Ki-46 "Dinah", Mitsubishi A6M "Zero", Nakajima B5M "Kate, Aichi E13A "Jake" with Green Crosses

Four days following Japan's surrender on September 2, 1945, the remaining forces still in Rabaul, New Britain, reached out to the Allies to indicate their intention to surrender.

Following negotiations, the only aircraft remaining in operational condition received approval for a final flight from Rabaul to Jacquinot Bay Airfield on New Britain's southern coast. 

As stated by online sources:

"On September 18, 1945 the first flight included Ki-46 Dinah 2783, A6M5 Zero 4043, A6M5 Zero 4444 and A6M5 Zero 3479 escorted by sixteen Allied fighters.

On October 14, 1945 the second flight included B5N2 Kate Tail 302 and E13A Jake 4326."

The Rabaul "Dinah" in Jacquinot Bay Airfield. On the tail, under the white paint, it had a kikusui marking designed by maintenance crew member Sgt Maj Azuma.

According to non-Japanese online sources, the "Dinah" pilot was Capt Iwanaga Nario but FAOW #38 mentions that his name was 2Lt Sato Teruo.
  

This photo taken at the end of the war when various Japanese aircraft had been surrendered to the RNZAF shows a typical dispersal and maintenance area, this time at the RNZAF's base at Jacquinot Bay. Note the RNZAF Ventura in the background, and in the foreground are a surrendered Japanese Dinah (left) and Kate. Photo: Roy Paton

This is the Japanese Ki-46-II 'Dinah' reconnaissance bomber that also passed to the RNZAF after being captured at Rabaul. It was left at Jacquinot Bay by the RNZAF, and may still be there rotting away. Photo: Roy Paton

Here's the story of the aircraft of the "Last Rabaul Airforce" from a Japanese source:

"By late 1943, the only remaining IJAAF reconnaissance units in Rabaul were parts of the 10th Sentai equipped with "Dinah" and the Dokuritsu 83 Chutai equipped with "Sonia." In March 1944, only a single 10th Sentai "Dinah" remained in Rabaul, yet three additional "Dinahs" from Wewak were dispatched to Rabaul to participate in the 17th Army's Torokina Operation. One of the three "Dinahs" suffered damage from friendly anti-aircraft fire and performed an emergency landing, resulting in three operational "Dinahs" from the 10th Sentai remaining in Rabaul. A while later, enemy forces destroyed one of them on the ground, while another was shot down right after taking off. Consequently, just a single "Dinah" was left operational in Rabaul. 

"During that period, the IJAAF conceived the notion of collecting components and constructing several aircraft. Initially, the ground teams successfully assembled two "Dinahs." 

"In a similar manner, the IJNAF succeeded in gathering five Zeros and two "Kates". Numerous tropical diseases afflicted the region, particularly malaria, prompting the "Dinahs" to take 3-4 trips to Truk to deliver medicine to Rabaul. The "Dinahs" achieved great success, and to utilize the leftover "Sonia" pilots, the remnants of the 1st and 11th Sentai chose to collect parts and successfully assembled 5-6 "Hayabusa" fighters, which were designated the "8th Area Army." Embarkments were built as well, but before their completion, all "Hayabusa" fighters and one "Dinah" were destroyed on the ground.

(source: Maru #380)

The three Zeros warming up in Rabaul ( source)

Two of the three surrendered Japanese A6M5 Model 52 Zero aircraft of the Imperial Japanese Navy on the move.The aircraft were painted in the surrender colours of white with green crosses. (RNZAF Official Photograph) (AWM)

Four surrendered Japanese aircraft after arrival at the RNZAF airfield at Jacquinot Bay. The formation consisted of three Mitsubishi A6M5 Model 52 Zero fighters of the Imperial Japanese Navy (including serial numbers 3479 and 4043), and one Ki-46 Dinah reconnaissance aircraft (serial number 2783) of the Imperial Japanese Army. The aircraft were flown by Japanese crews, and departed Vunakunau at Rabaul with an escort of RNZAF F4U Corsair fighters. All the Japanese aircraft wear surrender markings, which consisted of an overall white finish with green crosses for easy recognition. (RNZAF Official Photograph.) (AWM)

A Nakajima B5N2 'Kate' bomber of the Imperial Japanese Navy. This aircraft, coded '302', was the last flyable bomber left at Rabaul by the end of the Second World War. The aircraft was operated by the 105th Naval Base Air Unit. Escorted by four RNZAF Vought F4U-1 Corsair fighters, on 14 October 1945 it was flown to Jacquinot Bay by Warrant Officer Kataoka Goro and surrendered. The photograph depicts Japanese ground crew probably at Rabaul preparing the aircraft for its last flight. (AWM)

This is the Japanese carrier-borne B5N2 "Kate" bomber which was also captured at Rabaul in September 1945. It too passed into RNZAF possession and was flown to Jacquinot Bay, but as no shipping space could be found to return it and two Zero's also captured to New Zealand, the three aircraft passed into RAAF ownership. They were left at Jacquinot Bay and according to 'Aircraft of the Royal New Zealand Air Force' by David Duxbury, Ross Ewing and Ross Macpherson (Heinemann, 1987) were still there as late as 1972, along with the Dinah seen below and at the top of this page. Photo: Roy Paton

New Britain, 1945. Japanese Aichi E13A1 "Jake" seaplane in surrender markings of white with green crosses. On 1945-10-14 this aircraft was flown into Jacquinot Bay and surrendered to RNZAF Forces. (RNZAF OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPH.) (AWM)

This is the Japanese E13A1A "Jake" reconnaissance seaplane which was captured at Rabaul in September 1945. It passed into RNZAF possession and was flown to RNZAF Station Jacquinot Bay, where a month later it sank at its moorings. The remains are probably still there. Photo: Roy Paton

Hasegawa has released a kit of the Rabaul "Dinah" in 1/72, kit number: 02185

Mitsubishi A6M2-K by Jean Barby

Here are some photos of my latest Eduard work. They have done a very good research on the subject and the kit is first class, but, in some places, a bit tricky. Everything is out-of-the-box and, for an old modeler like me, that's very pleasant. The plane is from the Tsukuba Kokutai based in Kanoya during the Cherry blossom attacks on Okinawa and was flown by Lt.JG Kaneko Tamotsu. Up to now, only Hasegawa had done a A6M2-K model, but here, Eduard has outdone themself. Colors are from Mr Color range and the green is ref C15, the very dark Nakajima green. 

Mitsubishi A6M Zero in Atsugi 零式艦上戦闘機 第三〇二海軍航空隊 厚木- video

This Mitsubishi A6M had a tail marking "ヨD-125" (YoD-125) and belonged to the 302 Kokutai. Note the small mark on the tail above the unit marking and also note that the original tail marking has been roughly wiped out. A photo of the same plane during wartime can be found on page 130 of the book "Tatakau Zero-sen".

Can you identify the model?

Japanese Airfields, Equipment & more #41 - revised

IJNAF ground crew uniforms - video

A September 14, 1943 video clip from the NHK collection offering a very nice view of the maintenance of Mitsubishi G3M "Nell" and ground crew uniforms. The unit is the Oppama Kokutai as indicated by the "オヒ" (OHI) in katakana on the tail.

According to the narration: "On August 24, headmasters of Technical Schools from all over the country joined the Navy for one day to experience first-hand the training of the maintenance crews, who are behind the brilliant Navy "Sea Eagles"."

In this short clip from a video dated February 16, 1944, the US bombers are approaching Rabaul for yet another raid, and the Zero-sen are taking off to intercept them. Note the various summer clothes and headgear worn by the ground crews.

Japanese Airfields, Equipment & more #23 - revised

Various activities at the airfield (IJNAF version).

Removing cowling panels to gain access and service the engine(s). Thank you Pavel Vincenc for contributing the photo in the middle right.

Setting up a whole workshop for the engine. Note all the interesting details mentioned in previous posts in this series, like the maintenance platforms, the big crane and more.

Changing tyres; Zero on the left, "Nell" on the right.

Pushing the aircraft around the airfield. Note the not-often-seen in Navy airfields tail wheel towbar on the tail of the Kasumigaura Kokutai Nakajima B5N "Kate" on the left. Note also the camouflage of the Zero on the right; if only the tail marking was visible...

Last but certainly not least, one of my most favourite Japanese aircraft photos...ever. One Mitsubishi G5M "Betty" bomber crashed during landing against a parked one and the ground crews unload their equipment. Note all the boxes, the bicycle, the "riyaka" and everything. This accident happened in Tinian's Hagoi Airfield later known to the US Forces as North Airfield from where "Enola Gay" and "Bockscar" flew their missions against Hiroshima and Nagasaki respectively. The two "Betty" bombers belonged to the 705 Kokutai and the accident happened on July 10, 1942.

You've seen Japanese aircraft some with perfectly applied white surrounds to their hinomaru and some with very thin and not so well-done, right? Now you know why this happened. Note also the scaffold lifting the whole Mitsubishi G3M "Nell" bomber and the engine crane.

Shooting training set-up

While the camera and the viewers naturally focus on the scrambling pilots, note an interesting detail; the model of a four-engine US bomber on a pole in front of the building.

It's similar to this...

Also, note the plane without engine and tail in the background. It is an old A6M2 with folded wing tips. Together with the two poles, the whole set-up was used to train new, less-experienced pilots in aerial shooting, with the pilot sitting in the Zero cockpit aiming and someone moving the bomber model between the two poles simulating combat conditions.

Unlike the Army "Shoki" pilot we saw in a previous post, greeted with some beverages, this Navy Zero pilot just arriving at Rabaul's East airfield, a.k.a. Lakunai airfield in 1944, has first and foremost a couple ground crew members climbing beside the cockpit to ask him if he and the aircraft are unharmed.

Japanese Airfields, Equipment & more #16 - revised

Camouflage net

A photo from a vintage publication dated October 8th, 1943, of a Nakajima Ki-43-II Ko.

Another photo taken a few seconds before this one is featured in Model Art #395, p. 79.

According to the caption the plane belonged to the 1st Chutai of the 25th Sentai and the boarding pilot is 1st Lt. Okumura Masao. On August 23, 1943, the 25th took off from their base in Hankou (Hubei province), made a stop in Yichang (Hubei province) and then proceeded to attack the then capital of Nationalist China, Chongqing.

The photo is retouched by the war-time censor and the air intake at the top of the cowling, as well as the machine gun muzzle ports are missing. Nevertheless, this angle still provides interesting information regarding the color of the wheel wells (not aotake), the camouflage pattern and the net that gives plenty of diorama ideas.

A photo from a vintage November 1943 magazine.

A Nakajima Ki-43 "Hayabusa" (Oscar) stationed in the Central China front getting some final maintenance touches before taking off for the next mission.

A photo from the November 1943 issue of the magazine "Koku Asahi" of a Type 100 Command Reconnaissance Aircraft Model 2 or Mitsubishi Ki-46-II "Dinah" taken at the front by reporter Hasegawa. Note the same kind of camouflage net seen in the previous photos and a few coconut tree branches.

The ad in the insert says:

"A1

High-quality superglue

Available everywhere in Japan from aviation-related shops, modelling stores, stationary and pharmacies.

Resin white, 21gr 50sen*

Cellulose red, 14gr 30sen

Distributed by Fujiyama Shoten - Tokyo"

*Sen was the old one-hundredth subdivision of the Yen (1Yen=100Sen).

An NHK video, dated December 18, 1942, featuring a Kawasaki Ki-48 from the 8th Sentai, in Burma. Of course, note the camo net getting removed before the aircraft gets prepped for takeoff.

A Mitsubishi Ki-51 "Sonia", unit unknown, found in Okinawa in 1945 partially covered by a camouflage net. In all probability, it was a decoy placed out in the open to attract the attention of US aircraft. Note that it lacks many essential parts including the landing gear and the engine.

A December 28, 1944 video from the NHK collection excellently presenting a Yokosuka P1Y1 Model 11 "Ginga" (Frances).

The location is most probably the Clark Airfield in the Philippines and the unit could be one of the attack units of the 762 Kokutai. Note the 600-litre drop tanks under each wing and the camo nets covering the whole aircraft.

Mitsubishi A6M Zeros found at Aslito Airfield, Saipan. Note the same camo net covering two of them and the tarp we discussed in a previous post.

Another Zero found in Aslito Airfield, Saipan, parked at an open-top "entaigo" (bomb shelter). Note that the camo net is held into place by rocks on the ground.

The same Zero fighters, found at Aslito Airfield, Saipan, some covered in camouflage net.