Japanese Submarine Aircraft - Book Review

In the 1960s the imported Japanese Aoshima kits of IJN floatplanes were a revelation and wonder - Shiun ('Norm') 紫雲,   Zuiun 瑞雲 ('Paul') - and Seiran 晴嵐 - a floatplane carried in a submarine. Not some fragile, dinky design but more like a Judy on floats, powered by an Aichi inline engine.

Aoshima Seiran 1964

In 2002 MMP (Stratus) published Japanese Submarine Aircraft by Tadeusz Januszewki in their Red Series, a 128 page soft cover slightly larger than digest size, shown below. This presented details in text, plans and photos of six submarine carried floatplanes together with the proposed catapult launched Kugisho Ohka Model 43 Ko. Appendices included a list of submarines, 14 pages of colour profiles and 17 pages of colour photos, inside and out, of the surviving Seiran at the NASM Garber facility.

Now this new 2025 publication, shown at heading, authored by Ryusuke Ishiguro and Tadeusz Januszewki, a near A4 sized, 176 page hardcover with laminated boards and a splendid cover illustration of Seiran by Tomasz Kaca, takes a deeper dive into the subject. The two publications compliment rather than duplicate each other, for example the new book does not include the NASM 'walk around' photos of Seiran but provides more details of development history and, importantly, operations, hitherto unknown or shrouded in much confusion and mystery. The contents are as follows:-

Chapter 1

• Japanese Experience with Submarine Aircraft
• Operational Strategy
• Pacific War: Reconnaissance Operations over Pearl Harbor
• Operational Activity of Submarine I-25and its Reconnaissance Seaplane
• Reconnaissance Flight over Sydney Harbor on 17 February 1942
• Reconnaissance Flight over Melbourne and Port Phillip Bay on 26 February 1942
• Reconnaissance Flight over Hobart and Tasmania on 1 March 1942
• Operational Activities of the 8th Submarine Squadron
• Reconnaissance Flight over Sydney on 23 May 1942
• Reconnaissance Flight over Sydney on 19 February 1943
• Flights over the Indian Ocean
•  Collaboration with the Kreigsmarine in the Indian Ocean
• Kugisho E14Y1 Seaplane in the Far North
• Bombing Attack on US Territory
• The Most Probable Course of Nobuo Fujita's First Bombing Flight
• Submarine Transport Missions to Germany - Operation Yanagi
• Submarine Aircraft Carriers Against the United States
• Project Sen-Toku
• Sen-Toku ClassSubmarine Aircraft Carriers
• Armament of Sen-Toku Class Submarines
• Junsen Ko-Gata Kai Class Submarine Aircraft Carriers
• Combat Operations of Sen-Toku Submarines: attack on the Panama Canal
• Combat Operations of Sen-Toku Class Submarines:
• Final Departure
• Capitulation
• Biological Weapons and Sen-Toku Class Submarines

Chapter 2

• Yokosho 1-Go
• Yokosho 2-Go (E6Y1)
• Watanabe E9W1 (Slim)
• Kugisho E14Y (Glen)
• E14Y2 Model 12 Development Version
• Watanabe E14W1 
• Aichi M6A Seiran/Nanzan
• Kugisho Ohka 43 Ko-Gata
• Kawanishi Baika

Chapter 3

• Japanese Submarine Aircraft Carriers

Bibliography

As may be seen Chapter 1 is a densely packed collection of sub-headings, rich in data and complimented by rare and good sized photos, including a Hinomaru adorned Arado Ar 196, plus relevant maps,

Chapter 2 covers the various aircraft types, again with rare photos, plans in 1/72 or 1/48 scale, colour profiles and some colour plan views, although there is some inconsistency over the infamous IJN 'orange' or 'orange yellow' hue! That is a minor quibble against a fine presentation of colour schemes and markings. The different markings of 'Glen' and Seiran are of special interest, including the latter floatless, stripped of paint and wearing spurious US markings. The pilot Ensign Takahashi thought this was a violation of international law and a cowardly thing to do. In defiance he painted the symbol of an arrow piercing a heart on the spinner with the characters for 'One hit, one kill'.  This chapter should inspire a few models although, sadly and despite abundant data, a mainstream, injection moulded, 1/48 scale 'Glen' kit has not so far appeared. In 1/72 scale a decent kit of 'Glen', complete with catapult launching rail, was released by Fujimi in 1997 and was re-released by Hobby2000 in 2020. Whilst Tamiya offers excellent kits of Seiran in 1/72 and 1/48 scale, and Nanzan in 1/72 scale.   

Chapter 3 presents the details of the submarines with histories, technical data, side view plans and photos, including a couple in colour or colorised.

The Bibliography is comprehensive and impressive.

This book is a tour de force and I expect it to be the last word on the subject in the English language. Tadeusz Januszewski and Ryusuke Ishiguro's research is meticulous and the data they present fulsome and fascinating. They are the authors of previously impressive books on Japanese Special Attack Aircraft and Flying Bombs, Japanese Anti-Submarine Aircraft of the Pacific War and a monograph on the Kugisho 'Glen', all by the same publisher.

With special thanks to Ryusuke and MMP Books for the review copy of the book, a delight to read.

Image credit: Book covers © 2002 and 2025 MMP Books: Box art © 1964 Aoshima

Announcement - Lifelike Decals

Lifelike Decals have advised that the release of their latest 1/48 scale decal sheets for the Mitsubishi A6M Zero Fighters Parts 5 & 6 - sets 48-065 and 48-066 - have been delayed in order to re-stock the 48-SP-01 Hinomaru sheets which accompany each set. Orders will be fulfilled as soon as the Hinomaru sheets have been re-printed.

Awesome Avro Duo in 1/72 by Rob Ronconi

The first of two biplane features showcasing the excellent 1/72 models of Rob Ronconi, in this case an Avro 504K landplane and Avro 504L floatplane in Japanese Imperial Navy Service, built from the Kovozavody Prostejov (KP) kits KPM72461 and KPM0464 respectively. KP72461 'Japanese Users' provides options for three Japanese operated aircraft, two IJN including カ-463 in overall silver dope and the khaki drab aircraft modelled by Rob, together with one candy striped civilian aircraft 'J-TOWC'.

The landplane model represents an aircraft imported to Japan with Lord Sempill's British Air Mission in 1921 and operated at the Kasumigaura airfield which was to become the Naval Aviation Technical Training Institute. The floatplane represents 'R-613' reportedly of Kasumigaura  Ku (although not so sure about that). It is often reported that the 20 Avro 504K and 10 504L aircraft were taken to Japan as part of the 1921 so-called Sempill mission from UK. Whilst that is true the aircraft had in fact been ordered by the IJN prior to that mission being established. 

Through the Japanese Naval Attaché Lt Cdr Soemu Toyoda in London an official request had been made for Royal Navy assistance to the IJN to be officially sponsored by the British government. After discussion the request was ultimately regretfully refused. The Admiralty were opposed to the idea on the grounds that the IJN could become a rival, if not a threat, to British interests in the Far East, in contrast to the Air Ministry and Foreign Office. The Air Ministry was relaxed about British aircraft manufacturers selling their latest designs provided RAF specifications were not revealed. This laissé faire approach was founded in a contempt for Japanese potential in aviation development and pilot ability - 'It will therefore be a comparatively simple task to keep our lead over the Japanese in aerial matters.' The Foreign Office position was in support of export opportunities.   

The Japanese then requested unofficial assistance from an appropriate organiser and Colonel Sir William Frances Forbes-Sempill AFC, Baron, the Master of Sempill, was nominated. His terms of reference were agreed with the Japanese and in February 1921 he organised the mission with further provision of aircraft including 50 Gloster Sparrowhawk fighters (a further 40 being assembled at Yokosuka). The mission consisting of 27 ex-naval aviation personnel arrived at Yokohama, Japan in April 1921. In addition 113 British manufactured aircraft of 17 types, seven engines, bombs, torpedoes and wireless equipment were introduced to the IJN.

In addition to instruction and engineering support for the IJN the mission endorsed the acquisition of further aircraft types on behalf of British aircraft manufacturers. Vickers and Short Brothers sent teams to Mitsubishi and Yokosuka consisting of a designer, engineers and a test pilot. Between 1921 and 1931 33% of the 2,000 IJN aircraft manufactured in Japan were from British licences and another third from Mitsubishi adoption of British designs.

The Avro trainers proved so successful that the IJN decided to adopt them as standard trainers and successfully obtained licenced production in Japan. IJN personnel were sent to Avro in Britain to familiarise themselves with production and examples of the aircraft were provided to Nakajima and Aichi, who from 1922 to 1924 produced respectively 250 and 30, the latter being the twin float seaplane version.  

With special thanks to Rob for sharing these images of his superb models and equally excellent photography. Note the turnbuckles for the rigging!

References

Ferris, John, 'Armaments and Allies' in The Anglo-Japanese Alliance 1902-1922', Phillips Payson O'Brien editor, RoutledgeCurzon 2004
Mikesh, Robert C & Abe, Shorzoe, 'Japanese Aircraft 1910-1941', Putnam, 1990

Further Reading on Sempill

Hardie, Alex, 'Sempill, Japan, and Pearl Harbor: Traitor or Spy-Myth?' Online article:- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08850607.2022.2081048#abstract

Hasegawa Ginga Flies Again

Hasegawa's fine 1/72 Ginga (Kugisho P1Y1) kit flies again in a Special Edition featuring Tadashiro Kato box art and a choice of two torpedo carrying Type 11 Yokosuka Ku aircraft. The kit includes a resin torpedo with the plywood stabiliser extension and a resin interior piece to extend the bomb bay which attaches to the rear of the kit's cockpit floor after cutting away the ventral bulkhead. Decals are provided for ヨ(Yo)-231 or ヨ(Yo)-233 of Yokosuka Ku at Oppama airfield in 1944.

The resin parts are crisply moulded in grey and once the kit's bomb bay doors have been separated the torpedo is fitted semi-recessed beneath the aircraft. A torpedo carrying Ginga was previously released by Hasegawa in 1999. The standard Hasegawa Type 11 Ginga kit is currently available as a stock item.

Image credit: Box art © 2025 Hasegawa Corporation    

1/72 Mitsubishi A5M4 Details from Marabu Design

Marabu Design, whose photo-etch products have previously featured here and here  have now added another Japanese subject sheet to their range intended for the Fujimi 1/72 scale Mitsubishi A5M4 'Claude' kit. And advise that a sheet for the A5M2 is also on the way. 

Set M72061 contains comprehensive cockpit details including seat, instrument panel, gun breeches, rudder pedals and sidewall details, engine ignition harness and flap detail as well as other small details. Step by step instructions are clearly set out. 

With thanks to Radek of Marabu Design for alerting AoJ to this new release.

Image credit: All M72061 sheet images © 2025 Marabu Design; A5M4 kit box art © 1997 Fujimi

1/72 Siai Marchetti SM.75 GA Rome to Japan Longe Range Aircraft

Another gem kindly shared by Harvey Low with a most interesting back story of an epic but little known flight, about which some more in due course. Over to Harvey then:

'The Savoia-Marchetti (SM) 75 is well known among Italian WW2 Aviation Enthusiasts. But it also has a direct connection to Japan. The SM.75 held many speed and endurance records in the 1930’s as it was powered by three 559kW (750 hp) Alfa Romeo 126 RC.34 radial engines, making it suitable for extreme long range flights. With such performance features, a SM.75 was tasked for a secret flight from Rome to Tokyo to deliver new diplomatic codebooks to Italy's Axis partner. It was suspected that the Allies had broken their international radio codes in January 1942) and as radio was the most vital means to communicate with the Japanese, the Italians needed to deliver new codebooks to Japan.

'So a SM.75 GA (for Grande Autonomia, meaning "Long Range") Matricola Miltare number MM60539, was specially modified for this single plane flight from Rome to Tokyo and back. In June 1942, this aircraft (an earlier variant GA), was designated the SM.75 RT (for Rome-Tokyo). Flying from Rome on 29 June 1942, first SM.75 flew to German-occupied Ukraine, to be refuelled by an Italian ground crew, then over the vast Soviet airspace to Japanese-occupied Mongolia for another refuelling stage. The aircraft was then repainted with Japanese roundels as a precaution for flying across Japanese airspace. With a Japanese Interpreter now aboard, the remaining distance to Tokyo was flown, landing on 3 July 1942.

'This is the 1/72 resin model from Balaton Models, modified to this unique variant. The model is a conversion from the Civil Passenger version to this long-range military aircraft. I made a number of modifications unique to this specific aircraft, including an entirely new tail, different window configuration, new exhausts, and other smaller details such as pitot tube and landing lights - as none were provided in the kit. The greatest challenge was the absence of the noticeable and thus essential Savoia Marchetti manufacturer logo! My good friend and Italian aircraft expert Tom Ricci stepped in to create these custom logos for me from his design and inkjet printer – thanks Tom!

'The model represents a little-known but significant part of aviation history, and a testament to the engineers, flight crew, and maintenance crew who achieved this flight. The Rome to Tokyo flight was arguably one of the Regia Aeronautica's finest hours. A diorama is now in order showing Japanese airfield crew and trucks servicing an Italian aircraft!' For a full description of this project please refer to Guideline Publications, Scale Aircraft Modelling August 2023, Volume 45.

With special thanks to Harvey for photos of an intriguing model representing an intrepid flight.

Image credits: All model photos © 2025 Harvey Low; Heading Photo via Harvey Low; Tailing photo via Aviation of Japan; Box art © Balaton Models