Vintage magazine cover - Kill marking

Cover of magazine "Asahi Graph", February 21, 1945 issue. Photo taken by reporter Sano.

The caption says: "Azayakana gekitsui no shirushi aiki ni notte kurai yoru sutsugekki suru waga seikutai yushi.  -  Hondo seikutai OO kichi ni te". [A "beloved*" airplane with a clear victory marking with one of our braves (in the controls) getting ready to take-off for another attack in the dark night.  -  At the XX base of mainland "seikutai"."

The aircraft is a Kawasaki Ki-45 "Toryu" (Nick) and the mention of the word "seikutai" in the caption indicates that it probably belonged to the 53rd Sentai which had a B-29 ramming unit called "Shinten Seikutai" (Heaven-Shaking Air Superiority Unit). Ramming Ki-45s were unarmed, had explosives in the rear pilot's seat and very often had the radio mast cut shorter. The also never operated at night. So the existence of the killing marking and the long radio mast suggest that this particular pilot and the aircraft were previous members of the ramming unit and were diverted to the "normal" fighting unit. This was the case with various members of the "Shinten Seikutai" unit. Originally assigned to a ramming unit they were diverted back to their fighter unit when B-29s started bombing at night.

From the available 53rd Sentai photos we can make out only two Ki-45s with the single color top camouflage, described as either dark green top, haryokushoku bottom or dark brown top, hairyokushoku bottom; all the other Ki-45s of the unit have blotches or squiggles. One such Ki-45 belonged to the flight leader (name unknown) of the 3rd Hikotai within the unit without the distinctive arrow of the seikutai unit and a white "59" on the tail. The second belonged to Sgt Aoyama Toshiaki who was a member of the seikutai unit and his Ki-45 has the arrow and a white "33" on the tail. Unfortunately the only photo of his airplane (FAOW 21, p. 85) is shot from the rear, the spinners are not visible and we have no further information about the pilot at the moment. Therefore our suggestion (based only on the caption) cannot be presently confirmed.

*A few years back I had an argument with a Japanese aircraft expert from the US regarding the correct translation of the Japanese word "aiki" which is how very often Japanese pilots called their personal aircraft. The word "ai" in Japanese means "love" and "ki" is part of "hikoki" which means airplane. Therefore, according to our opinion, the word "aiki" can be translated as "beloved plane" (synonyms for the word "beloved" are: darling, dear, precious, adored, cherished, treasured and valued; all very suitable. In Greek the word "αγαπημένο" describes perfectly the meaning without the need of synonyms.) although we feel that the word "precious" is much closer.

The US researcher insisted that since all aircraft belonged to the Emperor they could not belong to a certain pilot, therefore the proper translation of the word "aiki" is simply "his aircraft". Ignoring the contradiction created by the fact that the possessive "his" automatically cancels this opinion, we find it especially dry and impersonal, without a hint of the emotional bond Japanese pilots (and from all over the world indeed) created with a certain aircraft that brought them back home safely. Time and again during our discussions with Japanese veterans the word "aiki" is used by them with such strong emotions that even the world "darling", usually reserved for spouses, could describe. I hope you will allow us to use the translation "precious aircraft" or other synonyms in this blog.

Kawasaki Ki-48 "Lily" - 75th Sentai Tokkotai units

In April 1944 the 75th Sentai, a unit equipped exclusively with Type 99 Twin-engined Light Bomber or Kawasaki Ki-48 "99 shokei" (Lily) was ordered to relocate to the Philippines together with other Papua/New Guinea units. From October 23, 1944 the unit with whatever aircraft left was based in Lipa airfield near Manila (Lipa city) where it received further orders to pull back to Japan to be re-equipped with new aircraft and replenish the losses in personnel. The order was not urgently enforced though since there was no other light bomber unit.

From December 8, 1944, preparations begun for Operation LOVE III, the invasion of Mindoro Island by US Forces. Exactly that same day a tokko (special attack) unit with 12 (or 10 according to other sources) members from the 75th Sentai and three members of the 208th Sentai was organised and was named "Kyoko-tai" (Morning Sunlight) with 2nd LT Naga Mikyo as commander.

One week later a second tokko unit was organised with five 75th Sentai members, this time called "Wakazakura-tai" (Young Cherry Blossoms) commanded by 2nd LT Tsumura Masao. Both units were equipped with specially modified Ki-48s.

Although originally the aircraft carried one unjetisonable Navy 800kg bomb and had three 3-meter long rods with contact fuses on their tips, the Aviation Arsenal in Manila modified a number of aircraft for such missions with jetisonable bombs and only one rod through the nose.

Both tokko units were especially active during the efforts to stop the Mindoro invasion force. On December 13 the "Kyoko-tai" first took-off and headed towards Mindoro island but failed to spot the US Forces. Two days later one Kyoko-tai "Lily" escorted by fighters hit a US ship, south of Mindoro. One more aircraft attacked the US Forces near Mindoro the next day but with unknown results.

On December 20 one Ki-48 from the "Wakazakura-tai", one from another Ki-48 tokko unit called "Banda-tai" and two Nakajima Ki-84 belonging to the "Seika-tai" escorted by three fighters took-off at 15:00 from Manila and attacked ships in Lingayen Gulf, Luzon singing one transport. The "Wakazakura-tai" Ki-48 was piloted by Corp Yomura Goro and was named "Hakone" (Hakone). It was the personal aircraft of the 75th CO Doi Tsutomu and was equipped with a 500kg bomb.

On December 21 one aircraft from the "Kyoko-tai" took-off from Bacolod airfield in the Negros island attacking the US Forces while another did the same on the 29th in the area south of Mindoro.

From January 6, 1945 until the 12th the remaining pilots of the "Kyoko-tai" perished attacking enemy ships in the Lingayen Gulf area while the remaining four pilots of the "Wakazakura-tai" took-off from Caloocan airfield of Manila the next day and gave their lives attacking ships in the same area.

The rest of the 75th Sentai reached Japan by March via Taiwan.

The memory of the two tokko units from the 75th Sentai is preserved in short films taken by IJAAF reporters. The scenes are ofcourse edited and we cannot be sure the exact dates they were filmed but we estimate that they were taken during the actions of December 13 and December 20.

Below are a few stills.

The three stills above were possibly taken on December 13. Note "Lily" with number "2" on the tail and the half open bomb bay housing probably a too big 800kg bomb. Note also the luck of contact rod in the nose.

The stills below were probably taken on December 20.

Commander of the 4th Air Army LT General Tominaga Kyoji was there to give last farewells to the pilots. He is seen in the middle holding his katana high, surrounded by other IJAAF officers.

The first aircraft to take-off in the sequel has what looks to be a white number "7" on the tail and a contact rod on the nose.

 The second aircraft has a white "6" on the tail. Note the heavy camouflage.

Finally the same Ki-48 with the "2" on the tail is taking-off.

Sources for all the above:
1. "Rikugun Tokubetsu Kogekitai" DVD by Nihon Eiga Shinsha
2. Model Art #451 "Rikugun Tokubetsu Kogekitai"
3. "Senshi Sosho #48: Philippine & Se-go Rikugun Koku Sakusen"
4. "Waga Ozora No Kessen" by Doi Tsutomu, Kojinsha     

Pete resting on the beach...WIP #4 by Panagiotis Koubetsos

Hi! Here are some photos of the finished Hasegawa 1/48 Mitsubishi F1M2 "Pete" model. The build was OOB, something against my preferences. The seaplane will be part of a big diorama set in Satawan Atoll, in 1943.

-Panagiotis Koubetsos-

 

Panagiotis says he had some difficulty with the wash. How do you like the result? 

 

Check HERE & HERE for previous posts.

Vintage magazine cover

"Daitowa Sensho Gaho", October 1943 issue 

Mitsubishi A5M4-K by Chas Bunch

Here's some pics of my Classic Airframes A5M4-K "Claude" in 1:48. A nice kit, I only added wiring and pushrod tubes to the engine, Eduard color Japanese belts, and scratch built instrument panels. Hand matched Model Master paint and kit decals.

-Chas Bunch-

 

Japanese X-plane Library #1

Title: "Nihon Riku-Kaigun Shisaku / Keikakuki"

(The X-planes of the Imperial Japanese Army & Navy)

Author: Nohara Shigeru

Published by: Green Arrow 1999 p/b, Out-of-print

Pages: 300, Size: 18X26cm, Photos: 234 b/w, Illustrations: on almost every page.

The X-plane bible!!! The absolutely necessary book for every X-planes fan and Japanese airplane researcher. All the lesser known types and prototypes are included here accompanied with photos wherever possible and illustrations. Here a list of the types covered:

IJAAF - Mitsubishi 2MB2, Rikugun 3-seat Experimental light bomber, Ishikawajima CM-1 (R-1), Rikugun Experimental Model 3 Fighter, Mitsubishi 2MR1, Mitsubishi 1MF2, Ishikawajima T-2, Ishikawajima T-3, Nakajima N-35, Nakajima Bulldog, Kawasaki KDA-3, Ishikawajima R-2, Ishikawajima R-3, Mitsubishi 2MR7, Ishikawajima R-5, Mitsubishi Ki-7, Kawasaki KDA-6, Kawasaki Ki-5, Nakajima Ki-8, Nakajima Ki-11, Nakajima Ki-12, Mitsubishi Ki-18, Mitsubishi Ki-33, Nakajima Ki-19, Kawasaki Ki-28, Kawasaki Ki-45 (prototypes), Mitsubishi Ki-46-IV, Nakajima Ki-58, Kawasaki Ki-60, Kawasaki Ki-64, Tachikawa Ki-70, Manpi Ki-71, Tachikawa Ki-74, Tachikawa Ki-77 (A-26), Kawasaki Ki-78 (Ken 3), Mitsubishi Ki-83, Nakajima Ki-87, Kawasaki Ki-88, Kawasaki Ki-91, Tachikawa Ki-92, Rikugun Ki-93, Tachikawa Ki-94, Kawasaki Ki-96, Manpi Ki-98, Kawasaki Ki-100-II, Kawasaki Ki-102, Kokusai Ki-105, Tachikawa Ki-106, Tokyo Ki-107, Kawasaki Ki-108, Mitsubishi Ki-109, Nakajima Ki-115, Nakajima/Manpi Ki-113, Ki-116, Ki-117, Kawasaki Ki-119, Nakajima Ki-201, Tachikawa "TaGo" and some of the Kokugen plans in brief.

IJNAF - Yokosho 1Go, Rohrbach R-Go, Kaibo Gikai KB, Kawasaki KDN-1, Mitsubishi 1MF9, Mitsubishi 2MR5, Nakajima E4N1, Kawanishi K11, Aichi AB-3, Aichi AB-4, Kokusho Type91 Intermediate Trainer, Nakajima NAF-1, Mitsubishi 1MF10, Mitsubishi 2MT10, Nakajima NAF-2, Mitsubishi KA-8, Kawanishi E8K1, Mitsubishi KA-9, Mitsubishi KA-14, Hirosho G2H, Nakajima B4N, Nakajima LB2, Mitsubishi KA-12 B4M, Kawanishi E10K, Kawanishi K6K, Watanabe K6W, Aichi F1A, Mitsubishi K7M, Kawanishi E11K, Aichi E12A, Kawanishi E13K, Watanabe K8W, Nippi K8Ni, Nippi L7P, Nakajima G5N, Mitsubishi A5M3, Aichi M6A, Aichi M6A1-K, Kyushu Q1W, Nakajima J5N, Mitsubishi A7M, Yokosuka P1Y1-S, Mitsubishi J2M4, Kyushu J7W, Nakajima G8N, Yokosuka D3Y, Mitsubishi Q2M, Yokosuka R2Y, Kawanishi J6K, Kawanishi H11K, Mitsubishi A6M8, Nakajima "Fugaku", Aichi S1A, Mitsubishi J8M, Nakajima "Kikka", Yokosuka "Ohka". Kawanishi "Baika", Nakajima "Tohka", Yokosuka MXY1 & MXY5.

The book is all in Japanese, out-of-print and not easy to find but occasionally we have an extra copy or two around. Our price is $US50. Email us for availability.  

Collector's items

Sunny, Mitsubishi Ki-46-III "Dinah", 1:48

Kogure/Bandai, Yokosuka D4Y2 "Suisei",  1:40

Kogure/Bandai, Mitsubishi A6M5, 1:48

Shizuoka Hobby, Mitsubishi A6M3, 1:72

Shizuoka Hobby, Nakajima Ki-84 "Hayate", 1:72

Shizuoka Hobby, Nakajima Ki-44 "Shoki", 1:72

Marusan, Aichi E13A1 "Jake", 1:50

Ikko, Aichi B7A "Ryusei", 1:72

High Planes Models (Australia), Kawanishi N1K1 "Kyofu", 1:72

Nichimo, Kawasaki Ki-61-II "Hien" 1:70

Mitsuwa Model, Mitsubishi Ki-46 "Dinah", 1:144

3 in 1

A Type 97 Fighter or Nakajima Ki-27 "Nate", a Type 97 Command Reconnaissance or Mitsubishi Ki-15-I "Babs" and a Type 98 Direct Co-operation/Reconnaissance or Tachikawa Ki-36 "Ida" in this photo from a vintage magazine, demonstrating the differences in the design philosophy of the three major IJAAF aircraft producing companies visible in the cowling shapes.

Mitsubishi 2MRT1 "Gingami Hikoki"

On October 21, 1934 a big ceremony was held to celebrate the purchase of three aircraft by "Dai Nippon Giyu Hikokai" (Great Japan Volunteer Aircraft Association). It was the result of an admirable effort by children from all over the country to gather the funds for these aircraft by collecting no less than 52 tons of tin foil from cigarette packs and toothpaste tubes. The slogan of the campaign was "Every year 1,500 aircraft and 1,000 pilots" and was supported by star pilot of the time Baron Narahara (see future post). Even more amazing than the purchase of the three aircraft was the fact that the amount gathered was enough to build an airfield! It was located in Atsugi, Kanagawa Prefecture on the bank of Sagami river built by volunteers living in the area who cleaned up the rocks and worked to pave the field. It was nicknamed "Giyu Hikojo" (Volunteer Airfield) and the three aircraft became appropriately known as "Gingami Hikoki" (Tin Foil Airplanes).

The photo above, from a vintage publication, was taken during the ceremony which started at 11:00 with an opening speech by Baron Narahara. It was attended by Prince Kaya-no-miya Kuninaga and Kaya-no-miya Harunori and included flights of the three aircraft as well as a parachute drop by Ms Nishiyama Sumiko before ending at 13:30. The aircraft on the ground is a Navy Type 10 Carrier Reconnaissance or Mitsubishi 2MRT1, registration J-BGAD, while the one flying above is probably an Avro Roe 504 K/L Trainer but the registration is not clear.

Although the whole "Giyu Hikokai" effort was very promising appealing to teenagers interested in aviation, as with so many things Japanese aviation related, within a year from the opening ceremony was plagued by personal strife that resulted in the resignation of Baron Narahara and the dissolution of the association. Since the airfield was built on a river bank it was soon hit by floods, was abandoned and now there is absolutely nothing left in the area. An inglorious end to a brave effort.       

Nipponki '46 (and beyond) – North Korean "Raiden"

Artwork by Devlin Chouinard

Side view of the personal fighter of the "Eternal President" of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, a.k.a. North Korea, Kim Il-Sung*.

He was trained to fly Mitsubishi J2M "Raiden by Soviets in Khabarovsk around 1941 as part of the program to train Korean guerrillas in the use of captured Japanese equipment. According to Soviet instructors he had trouble fitting into the cockpit but once inside he was able to perform manoeuvres unthinkable with this kind of aircraft.

During the Korean War he was credited with intercepting US B-29s carrying biological weapons and thus saving the population of Pyongyang. It was during one of these flights that he was inspired to create the flower Kimjongilia.

Finally shot down when bounced by no less than 25 F-86 Sabres. The "Great Leader" showing exceptional flying skills, managed to escape completely unhurt and make an emergency landing near a corn field where he met his second wife, chairwoman of the Central Committee of the Korean Women's Association, Kim Sung-ae.

Unfortunately his Raiden was damaged beyond repair but it was restored and is now on exhibition HERE. We kindly request visitors to send us photos.

The marking on the fuselage sides and the wings is the banner of the "Worker's Party of Korea" surrounded by a red star, symbolising the unity between the Soviet and Korean proletariat. The three objects in the banner are a hammer for the industrial workers, a kama for the rice growing peasants and a fude (ink brush) for the intelligentsia. The tail marking consists of portraits of (R to L) Mao Zedong, Joseph Stalin, Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, Friedrich Engels and Karl Marx. The inscription on the cowling side means: "Air Comrade Number One".

Note the Soviet Nudelman N-37, 37 mm (1.46 in), cannon in the gondola under the wing instead of the two Type 99, Oerlikon 20mm, cannons.

Who said Japanese planes can't be fun.

*Kim Il-sung outlived Joseph Stalin by four decades, Mao Zedong by two, and remained in power (9 September 1948 – 8 July 1994) during the terms of office of six South Korean presidents, seven Soviet leaders, ten U.S. presidents, 14 UK Prime Ministers, 21 Japanese PMs and 35 Greek PMs.