Kawasaki Ki-56?

[pstrany]

Hi;

Looking for any info (pictures, etc.) of the Kawasaki Ki-56, which from what I have read, is the Japanese version of the Lockheed Super Electra. Done the usual Google searches, but there seems to be very little about the aircraft (in particular photos of this bird.) Ideally, I'd love details shots, differences between the Super Electra and Ki-56, interior, service, both military and civil (yeah, I'm just looking for a little bit!)
Building a model of the Super Electra, figured this would be a good alternative version if I could get enough info.....

Thanks!

Paul

[robert_schulte]

Paul,
according to "Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War" by R. Francillon, there is only one known photo of this bird. The book gives a short description along with the photo, 3-side line drawings and technical data.
If you are interested, send me a PM with your eMail-address, then I will scan the article for you.
Best wishes
Robert

[pstrany]

Thanks - PM on the way. Very hard to find any info on this aircraft, even down to determining equipment changes and such (much less a paint scheme!) Hard to even do a "best guess" without SOME information!
Thanks!

Paul

[JoeB]

Here's a web page with several photo's
http://www.ijaafphotos.com/jbwki561.htm
"Rod's warbirds"; note the code name was Thalia not Thalla as on that page. I believe either the second from left or furthest right photo is the one in Francillon, but one of the others shows a camo scheme (in black and white).

Here's a Japanese page showing the box of a model kit for a Ki-56 with similar scheme in color; ninth row down.
http://www.fenyworld.com/shala/hikouki5/hikouki5.htm

For technical description, I don't know of anything better than the entry in Francillon.

For operational use the plane is probably best remembered for the IJA parachute assault on Palembang, Sumatra in Feb 1942.
http://www.geocities.com/dutcheastindies/palembang.html
That page says 34 Ki-56's were used, the Osprey "Japanese Paratroop Forces of WWII" by Rottman and Takizawa says (or implies) the transports were 22 Ki-56's and 12 Ki-57's (Mitsubishi, Type 100 transport, aka MC-20 or 'Topsy').

Joe

[JoeB]

double post

[Ruy Horta]

I've seen the type in Koku-Fan Illustrated No. 110 Imperial Japanese Army Aircraft (just 1x Photo, albeit a good one, combined with Japanese text, just 1 page).

Also

Model Art 533 Camouflage & Markings of IJA Bombers
1 photo
1 side profile (line art + grey coloring - showing details and markings)

Any chance you have Lockheed Model 18 3-view, or side drawings?

Wouldn't concentrating on the Super Electra be easier?

[Graham Boak]

MPM have now released their version of the Lodestar, so that would be a better starting point than any Super Electra/Hudson kit.

I don't know whether MPM are likely to release Thelma/Thalias in their Hudson/Lodestar range, but it might be worth droppping a line to them and asking.

[pstrany]

Thanks for the additional info.

Actually, I am building a virtual model. I already have done a Hudson, and someone asked for a Super Electra. I figured while I was in the neighborhood, so to speak, that I'd do a Thalia if it were a simple conversion.

Its the nice thing about virtual models, parts are cheap, and once you have one done, making more is a piece of cake. What I used to spend on the kit, filler, paint, etched brass, resin parts, decals and etc., I can now devote to buying books!

Of course, the parts may be cheaper, but it is still just as hard to find good reference material........

Paul