J-Pulp Fiction

A couple years ago we had posted some most colourful and exotic covers of comic publications (here & here) that were very nostalgic to us. Today, on August 15 of all days, we would like to post some particularly piquant covers and story titles of vintage pulp publications, some with Japanese airplanes. 

 

 Note the title: "I led the greatest kamikaze raid" followed by: "The society nymph who seduced the 17th, Philippine scouts". Yellow Zero with red cowling.

 

More red-nosed yellow Zeros.

"Yank ace who battled the japs over Pearl Harbor" and "Inside a nudist colony: 35 Intimate Questions Answered".

 

In the cover below, at least the "Betty" looks like one.

Don't miss the surely exciting "The strange redhead who ran an international pleasure legion".

 

Most dramatic but improbable scene of P-38s shooting down what look like yellow "Claudes".

 

"Japs rely on secret superplanes for last-ditch stand". "Secret planes" that will be revealed on the above issue with the bomb-pitching sordid-looking "Japanese pilot" on the cover, in front of a "Hien"/P-40 aircraft.

 

Weird  Zero on the cover below, perhaps the inspiration of the Moscow museum "restorations".

 

A most amazing title: "The wing-bender from island X: They dared the Zero inferno to save a jap _ this hot-stick guy and WAC with the radar brain""

Looks like the tail marking of a yellow "Nate" belonging to the 77th Sentai, isn't it?

 

But how about this tantalising not aviation related story: "The 15 maids in Col. Mito's spy house (From the Kempetai archives, strange story of a desperate Japanese plot to save their crumbling empire)" 

 

Blue Japanese aircraft on the cover of the publication below with the Asahi Shimbun marking on the wings. Why not?

 

Silver Japanese aircraft on this cover with hinomaru AND Asahi Shimbun markings. Anything goes.

 

Important marital advice in this story: "the G.I. HUSBAND of a JAPANESE BRIDE writes: FOR REAL JOY IN MARRIAGE GIVE ME AN AMERICAN GIRL'S BRAND OF LOVE"

 

Japanese, German, British and what-have-you aircraft in this cover extravaganza.

 

The title says it all: "THE LAST YANK IN SINGAPORE AND HIS FOOTLOOSE LADIES: Holding out with five party girls, he kept Allied victory hopes alive in Southeast Asia..."

 

More red-nosed yellow Zeros but note the extraordinary story title: "THE NYMPH DECOYS OF ASIA'S COMFORT HOUSES (with opium and women, Kenji Diohara twice sold out China - fist to the Japanese then to Mao's red legion)"

 

Can somebody please explain what types of Japanese aircraft are they supposed to be featured in this "Jap Buster Johnson" story?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More yellow "Claudes" and other weird looking Japanese aircraft in "The Flying Tigers" story.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And saving best for last do not miss the incredible story about "the nympho bear-hunting women of Honshu".

 

All images via the net especially these sites: Pulp Covers, here, HERE and HERE.

Check also THIS link for a most ridiculously funny story of the "All-Star Squadron" against submerged (!!!) Zeros operating from a sub-aircraft-carrier!!!!

Nakajima B5N "Kate"

A photo from a vintage publication featuring ground crew members bombing up a Type 97 Carrier Torpedo Bomber or Nakajima B5N "Kate". This combination consisted of six 60kg bombs.

 

Manshu Ki-79 by Andrey Temnyy

Talking about the Ki-79 Andrey sent us photos of his very nice Manshu Ki-79 in 1/72.

Visit his blog (http://darkmodels.blogspot.jp/) for more!

 

INDONESIA #4 - Jakarta - Ki-79

The second beauty is the sole surviving Manshu Ki-79. It is in fairly good condition, the cockpits were covered with canvas and too high to reach for photos.

I hope you like the photos from our second Indonesia excursion.

 

 

The Arawasi team would like to extend our most sincere gratitude to the hospitality of Iwan, his family and Sinang. See you again soon guys!

INDONESIA #3 - Jakarta - Willow

The museum has two beauties. The first is the sole surviving in the world Yokosuka/Kawanishi K5Y1 "Akatonbo" (Willow). She is in fairly good condition considering it has been standing outdoors all these years. Most of the fabric surfaces are covered with protective tape and the tires look recently replaced. But wherever the wood is visible it looks in good condition and the frame probably as well even though there are bird nests here and there.

 

Iwan, Arawasi team and Sinang

 

We badly wanted to take photos of the cockpit and we were scratching our heads for some time standing in awe in front of the Willow, not wanting in the least to cause even the slightest damage. There was absolutely nobody around and while we were pondering what to do a small group of children started playing around and ON the aircraft. Finally Sinang decided to give it a try and here are the results.

 

As you can see the cockpit retains plenty of it's original colour and, incredibly, a few instruments!!! Notably the ignition switch, the fuel pressure gauge, the cylinder temperature gauge, the fuel gauge of the front tank, the variometer, airspeed indicator and altimeter. 

 

After a few moments the kids, Riski, Arya, Ilhan and Dimas, were not shy at all to climb all over the place! Well, if we were many years younger and plenty of kilos lighter we might have done the same.

 

Of particular interest is the engine data plate.

 

Here's what we are able to discern.

 

And here's the translation. Would very much like to hear from engine experts for additions and corrections.

INDONESIA #2 - Jakarta - the guns

On Tuesday we flew to Jakarta where we had the chance to meet again our very good friend Sinang Aribowo at the excellent model shop "Peter & Partner" which you should definitely visit at the Central Park Mall if you ever find yourself in Jakarta.
Soon we were joined by more modellers and we were particularly happy to meet for the first time in person Mr. Iwan Winarta and enjoy dinner his family.

Sinang, Arawasi team, Iwan and Mr. Alex Sidharta

The next day we visited the Abri Satriamandala Armed Forces Museum.

 

Although old and not properly looked after it actually has an impressive collection of IJAAF and IJNAF machine guns. The photo shooting conditions were not the best (basement with no light) and the mosquitoes were particularly aggressive but we hope you will enjoy the photos.

Army Type 89 twin flexible. Installed on all the older IJAAF bombers including, "Lily" and "Sally".  

Army Type 100 / Type 1 twin flexible

Army Te-4. In case you are not familiar with the gun, it was one of the main machine guns of the IJAAF and was installed on the "Sonia", the Ki-36 "Ida", the "Lily", "Sally", "Helen" and more.  

Army Type 98 flexible (copy of the German MG 15). It was installed on the "Lily" (front gunner), the "Nick", "Peggy" and more.

A second Army Te-4

And a Navy Type 92 flexible (copy of the Lewis) in brilliant condition. I hope you won't ask on which aircraft it was installed. 

 

INDONESIA #1 - Bali

We are back after spending a few wonderfully relaxing days in Bali. We had a small "villa" all to ourselves with a brilliantly refreshing pool and the chance to sample again some amazingly delicious Indonesian food. Rather old for drunkenness and unruly behaviour, we must admit, but a few days away from the unbearably hot and humid Tokyo was all we needed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How about you guys? Where are you spending your summer holidays?