Steve190

FastTerry said: Nice guess, Paralegal degree. I do look for original source material and not conjecture or hearsay evidence. BlimpyBoy Said- As I said, that bored US serviceman would be dragging around five cans of paint. The kill markings are said to be painted by him to, although they are weathered in varying degrees as the fuselage itself being touched up. There are about 200 varieties of Asian clover including the Japanese clover, I have some in my backyard. There is a Samurai Sword edge named after the Japanese Bush-Clover. chōji midare (丁子乱れ?, "clove disorder") - an irregular hamon pattern resembling cloves, with a round upper part and a narrow constricted lower part.[7] juka chōji (重化丁子?, "double clove") - multiple overlapping clove shaped chōji midare patterns https://military.wikia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_Japanese_swords Denford said- I guess that like saying Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto was a Christian because he carried in New Testament with him. Clover has been in Japanese culture for hundreds of years. It is not inclusively Irish. Although I found it incredible that Japan has had a Tokyo St.Patrick’s Day Parade for the last 25 years. Dig those Japanese bagpipes: Steve

Toryu said: "This Hien is quite mysterious, not to say doubtful. There is only one blurred photo as far as I know. A very good pictorial history book about the 244th Sentai doesn't even mention it. It has been attributed alternatively to Maj Kobayashi and Capt Ichikawa based on the victory tally. The cloverleaf and its positioning are very unusual for an JAAF fighter (I'm not sure if a cloverleaf has any meaning in Japanese mythology - and one with only 3 petals??). Since the plane was found in Chofu after the war it might even have been applied by some creative GI (my personal hunch). In a couple of publications there are profiles of this Hien, depicted as either a Ki-61-I Otsu or Tei (with the longer forward fuselage), in one book even as both... The yellow color of the Sentai symbol is also not confirmed (an assumption because Ichikawa was the CO of 3rd Chutai). Since it has the late-war topside olive-brown camouflage, a Tei is more likely. In short, I would keep my fingers off this (not very typical) Hien." James Gallagher is very specific about the colours on the aircraft and the full page photo reveal's more information. Their is also a side view drawing of the plane. He describes as ""Chocolate bar" brown all over, and possessing brilliant red Hinomarus and, most remarkably, a large "Kelly-green" shamrock painted on both sides. This bright-of -greens shamrock was bordered in white and located in front of the national markings on the sides of the plane. The vertical tail surfaces had the insignia of the 244th Sentai painted in white, and a five inch band of white around the fuselage in front of the tail surfaces." Looking at this photo, I see the wings have heavy scuffing marks from a lot of pilot use. The kill marking marking are worn to varying degrees even showing some chipping and slight variation(doesn't look faked by some American soldier carrying 5 cans of paint and 5 brushes in his pockets). The fuselage gun opening are covered. (maybe guns removed to save weight. Their is even some paint touch-up of the brown on sides which varies in age. James said this airplane ". . . stands foremost in my memory - - -. . . " I think that he sounds like he knows what he talking about as he was there. Yes the back of the plane with the shamrock is fuzzy but in his drawing he shows the shamrock etc quite clearly. Like many photographer back them he probably keep notes. This is his first hand evidence which could be used in court, not opinion. James used a old camera retrieved from his family's attic as his good camera got lost a crash landing a the Pacific. Meatballs and Dead Birds, 1972, Jon-Jay,Perry Hall, Md The 1972 hardback printing has better paper and clearer photos than the cheaper recent paperback reprint. Steve

Could you tell me what accuracy issues your talking about? With the exception of just a cockpit tub with no detail I guess I missed these issues over the last 36 years since the kit was issued. Do you have a reference to a magazine or online article about this alleged inaccuracy? As I have this kit which I am working on, this would be helpful before I do the final painting Thank You, Steve

Wonderful work, First Class. Steve

I found the following paragraph on plane naming in the Checkertail Clan book of great interest: "On the subject of naming airplanes in the 325th, there was a sort of unwritten law that the airplane belonged to the crew chief, and many of these men were responsible for the names applied to the noses of their planes. Jack Evans painted "My Gal Sal" on his number 13 while Jerry Strauss called his "Ski Snoot", both honoring their wives. It was the policy to allow aces, flight leaders, squadron commanders and the Group Commander to keep the same aircraft, and naturally these men named their own planes, if they so desired." ". . . One crew chief who kept an accurate written record of the pilots who flew his P-40 felt that it was typical of most group planes. His listing included Lt, Anthony, Bollich, Carswell, Chesney, Elliott, Grove, Hamilton and Jones, as well as Capt. Meyers and F/O Rauth and Smith." p.35 Steve

Coming along very good. The aftermarket barrel by RB really looks nice. Steve

Welsh, I think it looks very good. You could do a paint wash on the track work in acrylic or watercolour to tone down if you are unhappy about the colour. I have used watercolour for shading and coverup for over 40 years. Although the red brown colour matches ground dirt in many parts of the world. You can try on a small area with watercolour and the nice thing is if it doesn't look right it wash's right off. You painted figures are excellent. Wish l had your talent. Steve

Really like your addition details (boxes, tarps, etc.) you added to the kit which brings your diorama alive. Weathering well done. Steve

Very nice work, Steve

KRK4m said, "And since then we are left with toy-like S-Model,' Have you been over to "Henk of Holland's" website and seen how detailed this kit builds up? Far from toy-like. No link to link tracks but that will give you something to detail. A quote from Henks site by Will Ward:' "Well done once again to S Model. At first glance I thought "not another Matilda", but they have chosen well to improve the modelling options, including with a CS version too. As with most of their models, they still manage to produce a quality model even taking into account the quick build compromises. )- Will Ward" Here the link to S-Model kits: https://henk.fox3000.com/sModel.htm Hope this helps, Steve

28ZComeback, Missed your question earlier in the week. For photos of Ki-15 or C5M Type 97 Command Reconnaissance (Babs): http://www.ijaafphotos.com/jbwki151.htm Steve190

In the future a helpful chart for Paint Reference is the "Humbrol Enamel Cross Reference" at the link below, I have found this chart very helpful although it is 5 years old. Steve https://web.archive.org/web/20120319102516/http://www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/portland/971/reference/humbrol.htm

Arco-Aircam #33 Hawker Hurricane MK.1/IV also has same plane profile of AK-G on page E by Ward but no pic in book. Steve

Excellent work for a kit rarely seen built. Besides a old Scale Aircraft magazine I have never seen one built. Beautiful.

Beautiful work. What a complex paint scheme.