Photos Japanese Naval Aircraft

[Stig Jarlevik]

Clint

I have a copy of that photo and back in those days when I bought it, it was identified as the one built by Shorts.
I always had a slight problem with that, since that one ought to have been coded M-1, if any logic can be stuck to it.
So as far as I go, to me it is the first Japanese production example.
Any thoughts?

Cheers
Stig

[musec04]

Hi Stig,


The aircraft shown, M-2, throws up a number of questions for me.I believe it is H3K1 as it is shown to have a rear gun turret which Mikesh and Abe identify as a distinguishing feature of Kawanishi built machines.


However, I do find the M-2 marking itself strange. Presumably it is something other than the unit marking as the H3K1 machines were said to have served with the Tateyama Kokutai which bore a Japanese symbol as a unit marking seen here on a line up of Mitsubishi 3MT2:


https://arawasi-wildeagles.blogspot....a-kokutai.html


Do I take it from yor reference to M-1 that you know what this signifies? also did the Short built KF actually definitely wear M-1 or is the M- a series used just during evaluation? I don't think I've seen a photo of the original KF hitherto.



Regards,


Clint

[Stig Jarlevik]

Sorry Clint

Terrible mistake from me in the first place.
The M-2 marking has nothing to do with Japan at all. I should have looked in the Putnam book straight away and not
just rambled from memory, which is fading too quickly I'm afraid.

The M-2 is a British B condition marking issued to Short 10 Oct 1930.
All available photos to me of the KF-1 (S.15) model wearing these markings were taken in England.
One source states it used the M-2 markings also after arrival to Japan, but I have no verification of that.

I have only seen one other photo of a H3K1 built by Kawanishi and that is also in the Putnam book.
It has the Tateyama Katakana symbol and what looks like :2. Listed as the third one built in Japan.

So Clint, just one aircraft (no rubbish like M-1, just forget that) and yes the M-2 is the one built in Britain.

Looks like I better spend the winter in hibernation....
Cheers
Stig

[Versuch]

Looks like an early B5N Kate.

Cheers Mike

[twocee]

Yes, looks like a B5N-1, and I think it might be SAEKI (NE Kyushu), rather than Saiki.

[musec04]

Thank you both for the replies.


While happy to accept your identification of the unit as Saeki Kokutai,George, I would,in order to avoid future error on my part, welcome more information on how you reached this conclusion.


Regards,


Clint

[twocee]

Simply that Saeki was an important Naval Air Station and base to the Saeki Kokutai, whereas I have never come across Saiki as a JNAF operating base.

[musec04]

Hello,


Currently on ebay is a photo of a Yokosuka E14Y1 455-1


https://www.ebay.com/itm/39513221421...wAAOSw1mtloscT


Most images I've seen of this type are of machines of 671 Kaigun Kokutai. Who operated the machine shown in the link?






Also on ebay is a photo of a Mitsubishi G4M


https://www.ebay.com/itm/33520859755...kAAOSwG7VlotJm



Regards,


Clint

[Versuch]

D1A1... looks right to me, the centre strut arrangement looks identical, the load strut from
the lower wing attaches at around the same spot on the fuselage, its missing its streamline
cowl on the fuselage, no engine fitted...as you say possible training aid perhaps ?

Cheers
Mike

[musec04]

Thanks Mike,


I wonder if the cowl is not missing because this is an instructional airframe for ground crew.The photo captions the personnel as mechanics officers so possibly at a Mechanical School?.


In connection with this a couple of questions occur.


1. Is a Mechanical School known to have existed in the Yokosuka area,or would the Yokosuka Ku conduct mechanics training?


2. While there is lots of evidence for the use of the D1A2 close to 1942,are any schools known to have operated flying examples of the D1A1 as late as that year?


Regards,


Clint