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Question regarding Japanese aircraft used at Singapore 1941


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Hello, been watching Kato Hayabusa Sento-Tai on YouTube, a Japanese feature length movie made in 1944 that features a Hayabusa squadron based out of South East Asia/Vietnam Nam. Anyway, there is some great footage of Hayabusa Ki-43's, including staged dogfights between a captured Buffalo and P-40. There are models involved, the various allied early war aircraft miniatures that get blown up with way too much explosive. Well worth watching if you are interested in the Ki-43, which brings me to my topic. In this movie they feature the attack on Singapore (the movie is based in the halcyon days when Japan was on the attack, probably to motivate the Japanese audience who could see that things were not going so well anymore) and this is where the Buffalo and P-40 comes in, but I digress. My question is, after this lengthy introduction, was the Ki-43 the premier Japanese fighter during the battle? What Sentai's were involved, and how would they have been painted? I understand there are a couple books about the battle taken from the allied side but I could buy several kits for the price of the books. Anyone have the background info on this subject? I know there are a few out there who can speak to this subject.

Cheers

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They certainly had Nells in the area. It was those which sank HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse.

 

The Navy had A5M Claudes, whilst the Army had Ki27 Nates and Ki43 Oscars.

 

Have a look here - it lists the units too which might help if you need decals etc

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malayan_Campaign

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Second getting a read of Bloody Shambles for background to your project. Library service perhaps? 

Dont overlook the ground attack aircraft involved, Ki.51 etc. reconnaissance flying boat bombers, Ki.46-II for beauty ...

Grant

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11 hours ago, Spitfire addict said:

Hello, been watching Kato Hayabusa Sento-Tai on YouTube, a Japanese feature length movie made in 1944 that features a Hayabusa squadron based out of South East Asia/Vietnam Nam. Anyway, there is some great footage of Hayabusa Ki-43's, including staged dogfights between a captured Buffalo and P-40. There are models involved, the various allied early war aircraft miniatures that get blown up with way too much explosive. Well worth watching if you are interested in the Ki-43, which brings me to my topic. In this movie they feature the attack on Singapore (the movie is based in the halcyon days when Japan was on the attack, probably to motivate the Japanese audience who could see that things were not going so well anymore) and this is where the Buffalo and P-40 comes in, but I digress. My question is, after this lengthy introduction, was the Ki-43 the premier Japanese fighter during the battle? What Sentai's were involved, and how would they have been painted? I understand there are a couple books about the battle taken from the allied side but I could buy several kits for the price of the books. Anyone have the background info on this subject? I know there are a few out there who can speak to this subject.

Cheers

 

Interesting subject. There were only two Ki-43 Sentai (Regiments) involved, each assigned to one of the Air Brigades providing the main attack airpower. The 59th Sentai were assigned to the 3rd Air Brigade which consisted of an assault regiment of Ki-51 'Sonia' and two regiments of Ki-48 'Lily' light bombers. The 64th Sentai was assigned to the 7th Air Brigade which consisted of three regiments of Ki-21 'Sally' bombers. The Japanese classified the latter as heavy bombers but the 'Sally' was closer by comparison to the Wellington. Each Air Regiment consisted of three or four Chutai, each approximately equivalent to an RAF squadron. So in theory six squadrons worth of Ki-43 aircraft were deployed but in practice the numbers were less than that as both Sentai were below their authorised strength. The Ki-43 were misidentified as 'Zeros' in some combat encounters.

 

The Ki-43 units engaged in a mixture of bomber escorts and fighter sweeps as they had the range to operate strategically. They were initially painted dark green over natural metal at unit level. At the time they were the only two operational Ki-43 combat units in the IJAAF. Some replacement aircraft for the 64th Sentai after the fall of Singapore were more carefully painted before delivery in a two-tone green camo over grey-green. After the NEI campaign was over the 64th handed over some of their aircraft to the 59th Sentai and collected more new aircraft from Formosa (Taiwan). In Burma the 64th operated a mix of older and newer aircraft with the older unit-painted aircraft beginning to look fairly shabby.  

 

The bulk of the IJAAF fighter force at the time was equipped with the Ki-27 'Nate'. The 12th Air Brigade with 1st and 11th Sentai also participated in the Malayan campaign, both units equipped with Ki-27 fighters, but their operations were more limited by range and they also undertook air defence and combat air patrols over the airfields and areas already seized by ground forces. At first the Nates were in overall grey-green but when the Burma campaign began and the Thai airfields came under attack from the AVG partial or complete camo was hastily applied to them, mainly in browns and greens.

 

In addition the 47th Independent Air Squadron participated as part of 12th Air Brigade with Ki-44 Shoki 'Tojo' pre-production fighters for combat trials, again limited by their range. They were painted in a dense, almost solid mottle of brown over grey-green.

 

The IJN participated with G3M 'Nell' and G4M 'Betty' bombers as well as a detachment of A6M Zero fighters attached to the 22nd Air Flotilla which were involved in at least one dust-up with Buffaloes. 

 

Recce assets were marshalled in 15th Independent Hikotai with one regiment and two independent squadrons of Ki-46 'Dinah' and Ki-15 'Babs'. In practice they were usually detached to operate in support of the Air Brigades conducting pre and post bombing raid recce as well as target photo recce and other strategic recce duties. 

 

Once the battle was under way another independent air unit, the 83rd, joined in with three independent squadrons flying Ki-51 and Ki-36 'Ida' direct co-op aircraft in tactical support of ground forces which became quite a nuisance to Allied ground forces. 

 

The film you refer to tells the story of the 64th Sentai but the aircraft used in the film were Ki-43-II from the Akeno Flying School with different camouflage schemes to those used by the Sentai's Ki-43-I during the Malayan campaign. 

 

Nick

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There is a site purely dedicated to Japanese forces and their equipment and tactics.  The site is J-Aircraft and is just the site for all your research needs about Japanese Army, Navy and Air forces.  Check out the various menu items or ask a question.  Some of the members are Japanese and have a thorough knowledge of the Imperial Japanese military machine.

 

Mike

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9 minutes ago, Nick Millman said:

 

Interesting subject. There were only two Ki-43 Sentai (Regiments) involved, each assigned to one of the Air Brigades providing the main attack airpower. The 59th Sentai were assigned to the 3rd Air Brigade which consisted of an assault regiment of Ki-51 'Sonia' and two regiments of Ki-48 'Lily' light bombers. The 64th Sentai was assigned to the 7th Air Brigade which consisted of three regiments of Ki-21 'Sally' bombers. The Japanese classified the latter as heavy bombers but the 'Sally' was closer by comparison to the Wellington. Each Air Regiment consisted of three or four Chutai, each approximately equivalent to an RAF squadron. So in theory six squadrons worth of Ki-43 aircraft were deployed but in practice the numbers were less than that as both Sentai were below their authorised strength. The Ki-43 were misidentified as 'Zeros' in some combat encounters.

 

The Ki-43 units engaged in a mixture of bomber escorts and fighter sweeps as they had the range to operate strategically. They were initially painted dark green over natural metal at unit level. At the time they were the only two operational Ki-43 combat units in the IJAAF. Some replacement aircraft for the 64th Sentai after the fall of Singapore were more carefully painted before delivery in a two-tone green camo over grey-green. After the NEI campaign was over the 64th handed over some of their aircraft to the 59th Sentai and collected more new aircraft from Formosa (Taiwan). In Burma the 64th operated a mix of older and newer aircraft with the older unit-painted aircraft beginning to look fairly shabby.  

 

The bulk of the IJAAF fighter force at the time was equipped with the Ki-27 'Nate'. The 12th Air Brigade with 1st and 11th Sentai also participated in the Malayan campaign, both units equipped with Ki-27 fighters, but their operations were more limited by range and they also undertook air defence and combat air patrols over the airfields and areas already seized by ground forces. At first the Nates were in overall grey-green but when the Burma campaign began and the Thai airfields came under attack from the AVG partial or complete camo was hastily applied to them, mainly in browns and greens.

 

In addition the 47th Independent Air Squadron participated as part of 12th Air Brigade with Ki-44 Shoki 'Tojo' pre-production fighters for combat trials, again limited by their range. They were painted in a dense, almost solid mottle of brown over grey-green.

 

The IJN participated with G3M 'Nell' and G4M 'Betty' bombers as well as a detachment of A6M Zero fighters attached to the 22nd Air Flotilla which were involved in at least one dust-up with Buffaloes. 

 

Recce assets were marshalled in 15th Independent Hikotai with one regiment and two independent squadrons of Ki-46 'Dinah' and Ki-15 'Babs'. In practice they were usually detached to operate in support of the Air Brigades conducting pre and post bombing raid recce as well as target photo recce and other strategic recce duties. 

 

Once the battle was under way another independent air unit, the 83rd, joined in with three independent squadrons flying Ki-51 and Ki-36 'Ida' direct co-op aircraft in tactical support of ground forces which became quite a nuisance to Allied ground forces. 

 

The film you refer to tells the story of the 64th Sentai but the aircraft used in the film were Ki-43-II from the Akeno Flying School with different camouflage schemes to those used by the Sentai's Ki-43-I during the Malayan campaign. 

 

Nick

Thanks again Nick, I think that covers it. My best clue for the older Ki-43 is the two bladed prop, which did not seem to be on the aircraft in the movie. Regardless, I am collecting more Japanese aircraft kits and will soon try to emulate the weathered look using salt as mentioned in various posts. I am reading Martin Caidin's old Ballentine book from the '70's, "Zero Fighter", which I bought as a kid. I really enjoy Saburo Sakai's accounts of air combat. It would have been nice to have read Nishizawa's accounts, but alas, he was relegated to flying transports before his death. They must have been quite short of pilots. Anyway, thanks again Nick.

Cheers

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1 minute ago, Spitfire addict said:

Thanks again Nick, I think that covers it. My best clue for the older Ki-43 is the two bladed prop, which did not seem to be on the aircraft in the movie. Regardless, I am collecting more Japanese aircraft kits and will soon try to emulate the weathered look using salt as mentioned in various posts. I am reading Martin Caidin's old Ballentine book from the '70's, "Zero Fighter", which I bought as a kid. I really enjoy Saburo Sakai's accounts of air combat. It would have been nice to have read Nishizawa's accounts, but alas, he was relegated to flying transports before his death. They must have been quite short of pilots. Anyway, thanks again Nick.

Cheers

 

Yes, the Ki-43 aircraft used in the Malayan campaign was the earlier Ki-43-I with two-bladed prop and optical gunsight protruding through the windscreen whilst those in the movie were the later Ki-43-II with three-bladed prop and reflector gunsight.

 

Regards

Nick

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7 minutes ago, bootneck said:

There is a site purely dedicated to Japanese forces and their equipment and tactics.  The site is J-Aircraft and is just the site for all your research needs about Japanese Army, Navy and Air forces.  Check out the various menu items or ask a question.  Some of the members are Japanese and have a thorough knowledge of the Imperial Japanese military machine.

 

Mike

Thank you. Yes, J-Aviation has become my go-to site, especially for colors, which in itself a bit of a challenge when one still uses enamels. I, like many other modelers, have tended to neglect Japanese aircraft, but they are missing out on a very important, and innovative part of military aviation. That is being addressed at this time so I an fill an important part of my collection.

Cheers

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3 minutes ago, Nick Millman said:

 

Yes, the Ki-43 aircraft used in the Malayan campaign was the earlier Ki-43-I with two-bladed prop and optical gunsight protruding through the windscreen whilst those in the movie were the later Ki-43-II with three-bladed prop and reflector gunsight.

 

Regards

Nick

It does show in close ups the commander looking through the periscope sight as he was bearing in on his target. I am sure they had a few old Oscars to cut up for the close upS, much better than the "P-40's" used in The Flying Tigers!

Cheers

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7 hours ago, SovereignHobbies said:

They certainly had Nells in the area. It was those which sank HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse.

 

The Navy had A5M Claudes, whilst the Army had Ki27 Nates and Ki43 Oscars.

 

Have a look here - it lists the units too which might help if you need decals etc

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malayan_Campaign

I build in 1/48 so the Claude, if you can find it, is usually pretty expensive. As for decals, I find that locating Japanese decals for a reasonable price is difficult, and even finding accurate color hinomaru's, if they can be located at all. Anyway, thanks for the link.

Cheers

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9 hours ago, snowen250 said:

Get yourself a copy of bloody shambles by Christopher Shores. It's not expensive but is just superb and everything you need Is inside :)

Yes, I have been looking for that book, hope to get it soon. I have completed a book about the U.S.Army Air Corps just months prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor called "They Fought Wih What They Had", a superb book if you can find it.

Cheers

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2 hours ago, Spitfire addict said:

I build in 1/48 so the Claude, if you can find it, is usually pretty expensive. As for decals, I find that locating Japanese decals for a reasonable price is difficult, and even finding accurate color hinomaru's, if they can be located at all. Anyway, thanks for the link.

Cheers

 

There's a new 1/48 Claude just out - or to be released imminently:

http://www.wingsykits.com/product/d5-02-ijn-type-96-carrier-based-fighter-iv-a5m4-claude-148/

 

http://www.wingsykits.com/2016/09/15/ijn-type-96-ii-a5m2b-late-version-148th-test-build-photos/

 

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6 hours ago, SovereignHobbies said:

Looks great, is the company based out of GB? Any idea as to cost? The Claude would be a great addition to my collection.

Cheers

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Ukraine. Expensive. There's a thread on BM re the initial release here.

Price for me is approximately JP¥5280 or AUD$62 + shipping (about AUD $9 single item, $6 or $7 if combining) for me from Japan. Comparatively, same source Tamiya's just released new mould 1/48 Ki-61-I inc pilot figure and paint masks is JP¥2700 or about AUD$32 + shipping weight approx. the same.

 

OK I get the economies of production scale bit, and the niche product bit, but there you have it.

 

Admittedly the Wingsy Claudes come with some photo etch, bomb fins(?), mainly cockpit and a little engine detail as well, but that's still a sizeable wad of cash for 1/48 new mould or no. No masks that I could see in the laid out parts. Dismally, no included pilot figure either, but gauging from the company rep's (?) statement in the other thread, its orientated to seat belt and panel display obsessives anyway rather than those of us preferring to see a pilot obstructing all that minuscule cockpit detail. Solvable of course thanks to Modelkasten, but adds to the price of an already expensive kit.

 

Apparently FineMolds offer an alternative in scale which released mid last year for half the Wingsy price at JP¥2720 a fraction more than Tamiya's new Tony, but lighter shipping. It's an A5M4. Comments I've read, consensus seems to applaud it. Nice to have Claude availability in the scale, and affordable. Either way, win-win pays yer money, makes yer choice.

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