Photos Japanese Naval Aircraft

[musec04]

Hello,


Currently on ebay is a photo of another rare Japanese flying boat with British roots,the Kawanishi H3K-1 at:


https://www.ebay.com/itm/17507544223...oAAOSwpY5hwglL


Regards,


Clint

[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

[musec04]

Hi Stig,


I was going to mention the Putnam book,but left it out of my post. Memory eh?



What your last post does appear to do is bring in to question the Mikesh and Abe information about the rear turret as an aide to identifying Kawanaishi built H3K1 because the sixth photo down here:


http://www.airwar.ru/enc/flyboat/h3k.html


does appear to show a rear turret.


Regards,


Clint

[Stig Jarlevik]

Wise from the experience Clint, I am no longer sticking my neck out, but I would say of that group of six
photos lumped together at the bottom of that page most were taken in Britain.
No 2 is the same as shown in the Putnam book and listed as the third H3K1 built in Japan.

I am uncertain about the last photo, the one you refer to, ie no 6, since it is a very bad quality photo, but I still
think it was taken in Britain.

I would say the single aircraft built in Britain did have a turret. The Japanese came to Shorts with their drawings
and plans what the design should look like, so it would be strange if they had omitted the turret and only added
it post return home...

Cheers
Stig

[musec04]

Hello,


Currently on ebay is a nice photo of a Mitsubishi B1M captioned as belonging to the Omura Kokutai :


https://www.ebay.com/itm/31495260702...8AAOSwb8dlTa0M


Is it known whether any B1M or the succeeding B2M were still in service with training units post 7 thDecember 1941?


Regards,


Clint

[musec04]

Hello,


Currently on ebay is a photo of a Aichi D1A at Shanghai in 1937 at:


https://www.ebay.com/itm/31497095772...oAAOSwGTBlWK3-


The seller has other items from the same location too,but the quality of the photos not great:


https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_dkr...hanghai%201937


Regards,


Clint

[musec04]

Hello,


Currently on ebay is a photo of Mitsubishi A5M Hokoku 310 at:


https://www.ebay.com/itm/31498405742...4AAOSwu~hlYFjc



Also currently on ebay is a photo of a training glider captioned as belonging to the Tsuchiura Kokutai at:


https://www.ebay.com/itm/31498402709...AAAOSwiFVlYFTj


Can anyone identify the type shown?


The seller has other photos predominantly personnel of the Tsuchiura Kokutai at:


https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_dkr..._nkw=tsuchiura


Regards,


Clint

[musec04]

Hello,


Currently on ebay are a number of photos of the Nakajima B5N in pre Pacific War markings at


https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_dkr...hoto%20fighter


Edit also though rather off topic,a Felixstowe F.5 of the Yokosuka Kokutai,or is it a Hiro H1H? in the last photo of the following link


https://www.ebay.fr/itm/266560715084...Bk9SR-D_-qCLYw



Regards,


Clint