Aviation of Japan 日本の航空史
A site dedicated to information and discussion about the history of aviation and aeroplanes in Japan and the Far East. 日本と東洋の航空史と航空機に関する専門サイト。皆様からの情報やコメントをお待ちしてます。(日本語でも可)
Tuesday, 5 January 2021
Rob Ronconi's 1/72 Fiat イ-shiki Ju
Sunday, 3 January 2021
Special Hobby Ki-54 On The Way!
This has an old series number SH72270 but according to Hannants is a brand new kit.
Image credit:- Box art © 2021 Special Hobby
Tuesday, 29 December 2020
Rob Ronconi's 1/72 Kawasaki Ki-48
It is a delight to be able to continue this brief season of Japanese Army twins with another Kawasaki Ki-48 model built from the Hasegawa (ex-Mania) kit in 1/72 scale, this time by Rob Ronconi. This Lily is all closed up and resplendent in a very effectively realised kumogata scheme to represent an aircraft of Hiko Dai 34 Sentai. The 34th was established in Indo-China in October 1942, serving on the Burma front as part of the 4th Air Brigade from Loilem (near Heho) with 20 aircraft on strength and 15 committed to operations. From February 1944 the unit was deployed to the New Guinea theatre but operated there at very low strength with an average of only 12-13 aircraft and at one point was described as a training unit. Withdrawn twice to the Philippines for refitting it was disbanded in August 1944.
Image credit: All photos © 2020 Rob Ronconi
Monday, 28 December 2020
Otaki 1/48 A6M5 Zero by John Haas
This model could not be included in the recently featured collection of John Haas' vintage Zero models due to a heavy landing accident following its sortie from his display cabinet and resulting in damage to the undercarriage and antenna. John has effected repairs and photographed it anew for Aviation of Japan. Built from the 1/48 scale Otaki A6M5c kit but modified to represent an A6M5 Otsu with wing mounted drop tanks operated by 407 Hikotai of 221 Ku, the 'Z' under the tail code denoting a fighter-bomber with central bomb rack for long range anti-shipping attack missions. The model also features over-painted white borders on the wing upper surface and fuselage hinomaru.
Thursday, 24 December 2020
Season's Greetings
With Very Best Wishes to All Aviation of Japan Readers for the Christmas Season and New Year
And with very special thanks to those who have very kindly shared images and details of their models, those who have generously shared the fruits of their research and those who have taken the time to leave comments.
Image credit:- Uragawa Hiroshige Snow on New Year’s Day at Susaki, 1831-32, from the series Famous Places in the Eastern Capital.
Wednesday, 23 December 2020
Kevin Bade's 1/72 Kawasaki Ki-48
Still on the theme of Army twins Kevin Bade has very kindly shared these images of his excellent 1/72 scale Kawasaki Ki-48 'Lily' model, built from the classic Hasegawa (ex-Mania) kit.
Kevin built the model about ten years ago from the 1995 Hasegawa special edition release with 1-1 missile and commends the kit as a joy to build and truly a fine example of Mania's then cutting edge technology with fine panel lines, a wonderful fit and a really well detailed interior for the 1970s. An Eduard photo-etch set was used to augment the interior but little can be seen even with the kit canopies carefully cut and positioned open. Eduard masks were indispensable for painting the canopy frames.
Aeromaster paints from Kevin's stock were used as he finds those the best airbrushing paints he has ever used, grey for the overall colour with dark green camouflage blotching. The hinomaru are kit decals whilst the tail insignia came from an unknown aftermarket sheet representing the 1st Shotai leader's aircraft from the 2nd Chutai of Hiko Dai 8 Sentai, a mixed reconnaissance and light bomber regiment.