Rising Decals Latest

Continuing their very welcome tradition of designing decal sets of Japanese subjects in series grouped by topic Rising Decals have issued a new trio of 1/72nd scale sheets covering a diverse and very colourful selection of JAAF subjects.

Rising Decals 72036 Emperor's Eagles Pt. III provides markings for 11 Burma and Indo-China based Ki-43 and Ki-44 fighters. Three 50th Sentai examples have been selected, two early Ki-43-I models flown by the 2nd Chutai's Sgt Chikashi Kotanigawa and the Sentai commander Maj Tadashi Ishikawa and a Ki-43-II flown by 2nd Chutai leader Capt Masao Miyamaru in a brown and green 'kumogata' scheme. The Hayabusa contingent on this set is completed by three 64th Sentai examples, a Ki-43-I flown by 2nd Chutai leader and well-known ace Lt Saburo Nakamura, an early model Ki-43-II flown by 3rd Chutai leader Capt Yasuhiko Kuroe, another famous ace, and a Burmese presentation Ki-43-II Kai of the 3rd Chutai. The latter has the best rendering of the distinctive peacock tail emblem that I have seen in this scale. These decals are evocatively representative of two famous and long serving Burma-based Hayabusa units but still manage to offer unique and/or never before depicted schemes. For an out of the box Ki-43-II Kai only the AML kit is suitable but modification of the Special Hobby Ki-43-III Ko is probably feasible too. For the early Ki-43-II although the classic Hasegawa kit includes parts for an early production model the wingspan is correct only for later production models and cross-kitting is not as straightforward as it might seem. Finally the sheet includes three Ki-44 examples, an early 47th Independent Air Squadron aircraft flown by Capt Kuroe and painted earth brown, one of the initial production Ki-44 reinforcement aircraft for this unit painted dark olive green and a 40mm armed Ki-44-II Otsu of the 87th Sentai in Burma during May 1944. These are all good choices for the Burma and Indo-China theme and allow two different arcraft flown by the same ace to be modelled. There are sufficient Hinomaru for two Ki-43 and two Ki-44 to be modelled but to use all the markings options Hinomaru from the kits or other aftermarket sheets will need to be obtained.

Rising Decals 72038 Donated Birds II presents a selection of JAAF 'Aikoku' (patriotism) aircraft bought by public and private subscription. First up are two Korean donated Ki-9 biplane trainers for which the excellent RS models kit will be suitable. Then the classic Akeno Flying School Ki-43-I 'Aikoku 1028', a simple but very attractive scheme which was featured on early LS boxart (without the decals though!). I'm especially pleased to see this option and plan to "waste" it on the LS kit with a replacement Rob Taurus canopy. The 10th Independent Air Squadron's Ki-27 'Aikoku 396' is representative of the attack on Hong Kong and the details were provided by yours truly. The aircraft's appearance is based on a photograph, sketch and description by the pilot.  The 'Aikoku' legend was masked when the aircraft was painted deep green and remained visible on the original grey-green paint. This will have to be replicated on the model requiring a careful dimensional measurement of the decal and a thin strip of masking tape to the correct size. Probably a better option than trying to print the grey-green on the decal. The fourth option in this set is a Ki-49 with very large 'Aikoku 1423 presentation in white. Finally a Ki-51 'Aikoku 727' of the Hokota Army Flying School in 'wiggly streak' camouflage with a white rectangle behind the fuselage Hinomaru. Another excellent and interesting selection of markings for Japanese aircraft models. Hinomaru are provided for all the aircraft except the Ki-49 and there is only one set for the Ki-9.

The last set is another selection of colourful Japanese civil aircraft in Rising Decals RD72039 J-Birds Part II. Star of this sheet is a Japan Air Transport Co Ltd Fokker F.VIIb/3m J-BBZO in two shades of blue and yellow. Some tricky masking and painting required but the final result would be worth the effort. Although the Valom kit is recommended the Frog/Novo classic is still obtainable  and was also recently re-issued by Zvezda. Second choice is a Mitsubishi Karigane II (civil Ki-15-II Babs) J-BACL of the Domei News Agency. A simple scheme but an attractive alternative to the better known 'Kamikaze' record breaker and with the later more streamlined engine. Something simple for the weekend if you have the LS kit or Arii re-issue. Finally a very colourful Nakajima-built Ko-3 (Nieuport 24) J-BAFC of the Osaka Mainichi Shimbun. This will make a splendid little model in blue, yellow and aluminium dope with white outlined registration and star logo wing and tail markings. 

Rising Decals are to be congratulated on these sheets and for continuing to provide modellers with excellent, high quality alternative markings to the kit decals - which are often an unknown quantity. All of the instructions are in colour and follow the usual Rising practice of highlighting unknowns for the modeller to make his or her own choices. Thanks to Mirek of Rising Decals for very kindly providing the review samples.

Image credits: All images © 2011 and with permission Rising Decals

Darwin's Air War by Bob Alford

I've long held a deep interest in and admiration for the Antipodean war against Japan, and especially for the operations of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), but internationally this subject tends to be somewhat over-shadowed by America's war. Many of the more personal accounts of Australian and New Zealand involvement are privately published or published by small printing houses and are often unlikely to be found in British bookshops. It takes a little determination to search out and find such gems as 'It Had To B.U.', 'The Whole Nine Yards' or 'Kittyhawks And Coconuts' but by perseverance and patience one such slim and fascinating volume found its way into my hands over ten years ago. It was 'Darwin's Air War 1942-195. An Illustrated History' published by the Aviation Historical Society of the Northern Territory in 1991 and authored by Bob Alford. Packed within its 80 pages was a veritable cornucopia of revelations, data and photographs as well as a perfect demonstration of how to combine the historical, the visual and the interesting to relate a story that is both illuminating and readable.

Now Bob has reprised the 1991 book and expanded it into a magnificent 260 page 2nd Edition documenting the aerial warfare over and around Darwin from 1942 to 1945 ('Darwin's Air War 1942-1945 An Illustrated History Commemorating The Darwin Air Raids', published by the Aviation Historical Society of the Northern Territory Inc., 2011 - ISBN 978-0-9807713-05). The inclusion of 'Illustrated History' in the title often suggests a book with lots of pictures but little meat. Nothing could be further from that here. The book is packed with meticulously researched information and data.

The excellence begins with the cover and that evocative colour photograph of a 49th FG P-40E standing at readiness and it continues to the very last page. And this account does not just focus on Australian exploits but generously describes the Allied and Enemy action too, gently lifting the mask from the demonised attackers to reveal individual, human stories. One of the highlights of the book is a central colour section displaying the colour photographs of Clyde H Barnett Jr of the 8th FS, 49th FG, USAAF. These crystal clear images are almost enough to convey the reality of the air war but every other part of the book does exactly that too. The main narrative is organised by chapter as follows: -

1. The Defence Build-Up - a military town, a RAAF presence and a war close to home
2. Desperate Times - the RAAF in the NEI, ABDACOM and the withdrawal
3. 19 February 1942 - the first raids, Australia under attack
4. Aftermath - initial defences, airfields and Australia reinforced
5. Into Combat - the enemy exposed, radar and a learning curve

Map of the North-Western Area of Operations 1941-1945

6. Changes in the Air - Reorganisation, Americans depart and the RAAF takes over
7. Striking Back - Hudsons take the lead and pay the price

Colour Plates - The Clyde Barnett Collection

8. Changing Fortunes - the Spitfires arrive and he enemy under pressure
9. A Show of Force - the Japanese a fading threat?
10. The Heavy Bombers - Striking afar and a circus arrives
11. Liberators - the RAAF gets seven league boots
12. The Offensive Rolls On - moving north and boredom the enemy
13. Game Over - the unsung strength, victory at last and Darwin today

Pilot Profiles

Clyde H Barnett Jr
Jack "Squizzy" Taylor
Robert Dalkin
David M Wheeler
Gus Winckel
Muramitsu Sasaki
Forrest E "tommy" Thompson

Acknowledgements
Appendices
1. Japanese Air Operations over the NT  1942-1944
2. Major Operational Units, NWA 1941-1945
3. Major Operational Aircraft , NWA 1942-1945
4. Composition of Japanese Air Forces
5 Japanese Aircraft Designations and Allied Code Names
Notes
Bibliography
Index

That should give a flavour of how comprehensively and interestingly the subject has been tackled but it does not advertise the fact that almost every page displays carefully chosen and relevant photographs, many of them rare and from Japanese private sources. Although this book is concerned mainly with Australia's response to the Japanese air attacks anyone interested in Japanese aviation history will find it of compelling interest and use. As a testament to the care and attention taken in this publication a four-page booklet of additions and corrections that expand even further on the comprehensively written text is also included

Darwin's Air War is very highly recommended. To order a copy please email Owen Veal the manager of the AHSNT's Aviation Museum.


Image credits: Book covers © AHSNT 1991 & 2011

Update - Aoshima Kits

Added Farpro and UPC Shiun 'Norm' box art to the Aoshima Pt 2 blog. If anyone has more Aoshima (or Aosima) box art - or any of the re-boxed art for Aoshima kits from other companies please send it in, thanks.

Aoshima (or Aosima) Pt 2 - More Box Art

Courtesy of Ken Glass and Jacob Terlouw here are some more examples of Aoshima box art over the years. Cataloguing the various box styles and sorting them into a timeline would be quite a challenge!

The A7M2 Reppu was the only injection molded game in town until the relatively recent issue of the superlative Fine Molds kits, some releases of which include a photo-etch fret.

Aoshima box art was frequently innovative in composition and here on another Reppu box it has a decidely heroic style which must have been iconic and inspiring for its home audience. The surface lustre and colour of the aircraft reveal a knowledge perhaps rooted in actual observation.

The Aoshima Zuiun "Paul" floatplane was also unique until the arrival of the Fujimi kits. Although presented as 1/72nd scale the kit is closer to 1/79th scale. 

Another Zuiun box art variant with the horrible Riko sticker that degrades to an unsightly blemish but still manages to remain resolutely cemented to the box. The people who slapped these on the boxes must have been as devoid of any aesthetic sensitivities as the person who designed the over-sized monstrosity.

In another imaginative and evocative composition IJN mechanics are busy as the Zuiun rocks gently in the water off a palm-fringed South Pacific beach. The artist was 9 years old when the war ended.

The Entex re-packaging of the same kit gave us a look at the model and its possibilities. Not very inspiring but not helped by the standard of construction or the unattractive "pea soup" colour scheme. The kit included the option for an odd looking open canopy too.

This was the most recent packaging for the Zuiun, again presented as 1/72nd scale in a box too large for the contents. This time the decal sheet contained intriguing options including Akoku presentation legends and a civil registration! Nice instrument panels too but nowhere to put them without a bit of plastic card work.

Unfortunately the instruction sheet offers no explanation as to how any of these extra markings are supposed to be used.

Aoshima's Shiun "Norm" was always a favourite of this unusual floatplane and is still the only mainstream injection molded kit of the type. This box with it's excellent vintage-looking art by Tatsuji Kajita reveals the dreaded black and gold Riko sticker (see Part 1) whose adhesive is impervious to most known solvents. Attempts to remove it usually end in failure and a worse looking box. If in doubt leave well alone! Born in 1936, Tatsuji Kajita was well known in Japan for his box art for Imai and Otaki as well as his prolific robot toy and manga artwork in the 1960's and 1970's. For the adventurous who wish to explore his toy artwork further.

Earlier Tatsuji Kajita artwork on an 'Aosima' labelled box. Back in the day and pre-Donald W Thorpe such box art always caused confusion - was it meant to represent grey or natural metal?

Did anyone ever copy these garish markings on a model?  RS Models released a new short run kit of the Shiun which was shown here and looks very good. Aoshima's old "Norm" can still be a fun build though and offers some challenging problem-solving to the adventurous builder. For anyone wishing to explore "Norm" and his exploits in more detail there was an excellent article in the original Arawasi magazine Issue 1 of July 2005 which will hopefully be reprised by the magazine in future. 

Farpro's issue of the same kit presented it with a simple drawing on the box. The Farpro kits were produced by Aoshima for US distribution. The whole range was made available under this logo but not much more is known about them. 

UPC (Universal Powermaster Corporation) also re-boxed and re-issued many kits in the USA from foreign manufacturer imports, including Aoshima's Norm. UPC kits were also re-exported and I remember some UPC kits being available in the UK but I'm not sure if the whole range was available here.

The submarine-borne Seiran was also included in Aoshima's repertoire of floatplanes, shown here in the 'Aosima' boxing. Unfortunately it was closer to 1/78th scale and it's uniqueness was trumped by the release of a Tamiya kit to 1/72nd scale that is the silk purse to this sow's ear. The two kits built together make a fascinating comparison of how far plastic model technology has come in the intervening years.

This innovative Tatsuji Kajita box art depicts Seiran being readied for a mission from its submarine hangar. In 1964 it was a revelation to see a Japanese inline engined floatplane of almost fighter-like appearance carrying a huge bomb and being carried by a submarine!

Blue if you want it, with a red racing stripe in this later box art of Seiran. Wonder how many got built and painted like this? Aoshima kits invoke long summer holidays, sunlight streaming through the bedroom window and the box art dreams that carried us to the Pacific.

Image credits: All Aoshima box art and kit/decal images © Aoshima & Tatsuji Kajita via Ken Glass, Jacob Terlouw & Straggler

Zero Tolerance ~ Zero Colour Comparisons

In response to some understandable confusion a schematic is provided here to illustrate the relationship between the "olive grey" paint used on the early Zero, the recent RAF Camouflage Beige (aka "Hemp") and RLM 02. Before deciding on using either of these colours (from proprietory hobby paints) on a Zero replica the modeller might first consider two important factors: -

1. Are the hobby paints intended to be used good representations of the original colours shown here?

2. Is "scale effect" to be incorporated?

With regard to 1. some versions of "Hemp" hobby paint are quite brown in appearance, whilst as explored here some versions of RLM 02 are a little too grey or too "cool" a grey-green. Most of the RLM 02 paints will have to be lightened and can be brought closer to the Zero paint colour in appearance by adding a little yellow ochre (RAF Midstone is suitable). If the RLM 02 paint is a cool grey-green to start with then using an alternative brand is suggested!

Consideration of 2. is a matter of personal choice and has been debated at length elsewhere.

Tamiya XF-76 is a reasonable representation for a moderately oxidised and chalked aircraft in service but is not exactly similar to the original paint colour being slightly cooler and greyer/greener.

If startled by these colours please bear in mind that contemporaneous descriptions of the Zero paint colour were "J3 hai iro (灰色 ash/grey colour) slightly towards ame iro (飴色 amber or yellowish-brown colour)" and "hai nezumi iro" (灰鼠色 grey rat colour).

Image credits: Rendered colour chips in sRGB from original L*a*b* measurements © Straggler 2011

Aoshima or Aosima Pt 1

Aoshima (or Aosima as once was) of Japan released a small series of clunky and simple kits of Japanese aircraft types from 1964 onwards. Appearing in a variety of boxings over the years they were still available until quite recently and in sharp contrast to that company's superlative family of 1/72nd scale Shiden and Shiden-kai. At the time they appeared in Britain they represented something even more exotic than Revell's Hayabusa, Hayate and Hien, themselves startling revelations that Japanese fighter pilots flew aircraft other than the Zero. Here were a couple of strangely named Zero surrogates, Reppu and Goshikisen, a good looking three-seater Saiun and a trio of floatplanes with equally tongue-twisting names - Shiun, Seiran and Zuiun. Although marked on the boxes as being to 1/72nd scale the actual models were not consistently to scale:-

Mitsubishi A7M2 Reppu "Sam" - 1/72

Kawasaki Ki-100 Goshikisen - 1/70

Nakajima C6N1 Saiun "Myrt" - 1/73

Kawanishi E15K1 Shiun "Norm" - 1/72

Aichi M6A1 Seiran - 1/78

Aichi E16A1 Zuiun - 1/79

Whilst they are much scorned and sneered at now some of these kits, in their day, represented pretty much the only game in town and much blood, sweat and tears was expended in the English-speaking world and perhaps elsewhere turning them into respectable if humble replicas. We will probably never again see the like of modelling articles earnestly correcting the Aoshima Saiun, where anything that didn't come in the box was hand crafted or looted from another kit. In 1974 Bob Angel wrote an article for Replica in Scale (Vol 2 No. 3 & 4), describing how he had improved this kit, turning it into a respectable looking model with nothing more than plastic card, putty and a cowling from an Airfix Dinah. I don't know whether Bob is still around, but if he is I hope he won't mind me reproducing his fine article in its entirety here, not just to demonstrate what was once done with so little but just in case anyone else should fancy treading in his pioneering steps. The sketch page accompanying the article could teach some modern modelling magazines a thing or two as well - it has everything needed to embark on the adventure.

The Aoshima kits came into the UK via Richard Kohnstam Ltd whose large black and gold "RiKo" logo stickers permanently disfigured many a fine box. It is hard now to articulate the reaction upon first encountering these kits because of the thousand-fold modelling delights of the intervening years. The boxes were robust and very glossy, with almost lurid art and the promise of working details on the sides. The plastic was at first dark green, then grey with the odd white and finally petrol blue, at first brittle and subsequently rubbery. The parts were chunky and marked with sparse rivets, although the surface detail was inconsistent even in the same kit. There was no interior detail, with constipated pilot figures half way through a teleporting sequence and sparse decal sheets of plain Hinomaru but nothing else. But you know what? When I pick them up now I still do so fondly, marvelling at their innocent but strangely attractive crudeness. Nothing more than an old man's nostalgia probably, but there is quite a growing trend of simple, retro modelling on Hyperscale, of getting the best from old kits without turning a sow's ear into a silk purse and above all enjoying the fun of doing so. I hope this continues. There is something quite daunting in the prospect of not just the prices of modern kits but the fact that one is often expected to buy almost the whole kit all over again in expensive resin correction sets to avoid the embarassment of an inaccuracy somewhere - take out mortgage, jack up plastic engine, fit new resin aircraft. Every new kit, representing a state of art that the eager purchasers of Aoshima kits in 1964 could not even dream of, seems to get picked over until the "fatal flaws" are found and become the imperative for a lucrative aftermarket trade. In the face of this the veteran Aoshima kits of 1964 truly represent a journey from the sublime to the ridiculous!  

Some of the kits were re-boxed and sold in the USA and UK under the Entex, UPC, Farpro, Air Flash and BMW logos (not the car manufacturer but the BMW Models shop in Wimbledon!) The latter marketed the Japanese kits collectively under their "Red Label" logo and the Aoshima kts were selling for 4/11d in 1966 (four shillings and eleven pence - about 25p). Airfix Series One kits at the time were 2/3d (about 11p) so until quite recently the relative prices of home grown and Japanese kits have maintained some sort of relativity. A school friend of mine had the Zuiun and it was the first one I saw close up in the plastic. Exotic didn't quite cut it - it seemed strange. Our parochial sensitivities were such at the time that anything not Airfix was to be treated with suspicion if not disdain. Prejudice against foreign products was ingrained and the war was still a close enough memory for some parents to frown on if not forbid Japanese and German models.

If anyone still has any built up models from Aoshima kits of Japanese aircraft I would love to see them and show them here. Or any memories of building them or about them - good or bad.

Image credits: Box art © Aoshima; Article Bob Angel via Replica in Scale; Advert BMW via Airfix Magazine 1966