Jiro Asano - Ki-100 ace ?
 

Hello,

I'm trying to find out if Jiro Asano was the top (only) Ki-100 ace. Unfortunately, the info given in Osprey's K-61/Ki-100 volume is rather scarce. Can anybody tell me something about his kills or the date he entered service ?

Cheers,

Michael

Re: Jiro Asano - Ki-100 ace ?
 

If you are interested in details on the JNAF and JAAF "aces", then you might want to consider getting these two outstanding books. They are the last word on the subject and the text is in English. The books do not detail individual victories. I think you would need to learn Japanese and search Japanese websites for that information.

Hata, Ikuhiko and Yasuho Izawa. Japanese Naval Aces and Fighter Units in World War II. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 1989. ISBN: 0-87021-315-6. Hb. Dj. 442p. Heavily illus. B/w side view dwgs. Appendices. Indexes.

Hata, Ikuhiko, Yasuho Izawa and Christopher Shores. Japanese Army Air Force Fighter Units and Their Aces 1931-1945. London: Grub Street, 2002. ISBN: 1 902304 89 6. Hb. Dj. 340p. Illus. Maps. Dwgs. Appendices. Index.

By the way, there is no listing for an ASANO, Jiro. But there are listings for ASANO, Hitoshi (248th Hiko Sentai, Capt., 22 victories in China/Nomonhan) and ASANO, Masateru ( 68th Hiko Sentai, Capt., not in list of 8 or more victories).

L.

Re: Jiro Asano - Ki-100 ace ?
 

Hello Larry,

I have these two books and I had plenty of pleasure working them through. They are awesome. However, Jiro Ansano is missing. I only found him mentioned in Osprey's Aircraft of the Aces volumes #13 and #114.

Who knows more about him ?

Michael

Re: Jiro Asano - Ki-100 ace ?
 

Hi, I'm the illustrator of the Osprey Ki-61/100 Aces title by Nicholas Millman.

MSgt Jiro Asano (NCO86) is said to have shot down a total of 3 Corsairs (on 3 June '45) and additionally a total of seven B-29s, while flying with the 244th Sentai. He was KIA on 22 June 1945, while in combat with Hellcats. That's all I have on him. I'll ask Nick if he knows more.

Re: Jiro Asano - Ki-100 ace ?
 

Good morning Skyraider,

very intresting. Thank you.
I'm very curious if another two Ki-100 kills can be identified for Jiro Asano.

All my best regards to you and Nicholas Millman for that wonderful volume.

Michael

Re: Jiro Asano - Ki-100 ace ?
 

Good morning Gentlemen,

I'm still looking for a Ki-100 ace.
Possible Ki-100 aces are:
Jiro Asano, 3-10 Ki-100 kills.
Nagao Shirai, ~3 Ki-100 kills.
Tsutae Obara, 1-5 Ki-100 kills.
Totaro Ito, ~2,63 Ki-100 kills.
Chuichi Ichikawa, ~2 Ki-100 kills.

I wish I knew how many of Jiro Asano's kills were scored in the K-100.

Have a nice Sunday,

Michael

Re: Jiro Asano - Ki-100 ace ?
 

Hello Skyraider,

did Nicholas Millman ever answer that question ?

Have a good Thursday,

Michael

Re: Jiro Asano - Ki-100 ace ?
 

Michael,

Why not contact Nick Millman directly?

http://www.aviationofjapan.com/

Or wait another 7.5 years for an unlikely response from Skyraider3D.

Cheers,
Bruce

Re: Jiro Asano - Ki-100 ace ?
 

I don't know Nicholas Millman personally.