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Heinkel A7He1
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- Heinkels Over
Japan...And A Mystery
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- Posted By: James F. Lansdale <mailto:LRAJIM@aol.com?subject=Heinkels
Over Japan...And A Mystery>
Date: Friday, 28 July 2000, at 5:09 a.m.
- A few months ago, reference was
made on one of our boards to the alleged "bogus" unit markings
carried by the A7He1 (Heinkel He-112B-O) "Jerry." According to
Bob MIKESH, "Japanese Aircraft Code Names & Designations,"
p.77:
- "Striking unit markings
emblazoned their fuselage sides, differing on the opposite side to imply
greater numbers in strength when photographed."
- Researching the origins of such
uncharacteristic markings for the IJNAF (in that naval units usually
carried their unit markings/codes on the tail surfaces only), it was
discovered that the Germans had carried out this method of subterfuge on
the He-100 ("RAF Flying Review," January 1963, p.49). Another
anomaly for the "Jerry" illustrated in the MIKESH book is that
the photograph selected to illustrate the test aircraft in Japanese
markings was actually a heavily retouched Heinkel factory photo of the
He-112 V9, D-IGSI ("Heinkel He 112 In Action," Denes BERNAD,
p.14).
- No less than seven types of
Heinkel aircraft were imported by Japan and tested. They included the He
70, 74B, 112, 116, 118, 100, and 119. Since the number (30) of the He-112
imported was sufficient to produce a unit equipped with such aircraft, is
there any evidence this was done and is there any documentary evidence
that ANY Japanese aircraft carried different markings on each side of the
fuselage as an intelligence ploy?
- Jim Lansdale
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- Re: Heinkels Over
Japan...And A Mystery
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- Posted By: Hiroyuki Takeuchi
Date: Tuesday, 1 August 2000, at 2:22 a.m.
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- In Response To: Heinkels Over
Japan...And A Mystery (James F. Lansdale)
- I did some research on the He112
when I built the Encore kit as an A7He1 a couple of months ago. I found
only three photographs in Japanese markings. One is the retouched photo of
the He-112V9 you mentioned. Another is the photo of a He112A. The third is
a He112B in flight taken from below with seemingly red tailplanes and what
may be hinomarus on the undersurface of the wings (photo is not vbery
clear and the undersurface of the wings are shadowed and barely visible).
- If the Japanese painted mock
markings for propaganda, by the very nature of propaganda itself, the
photos of these Heinkels must have appeared in the media at that time.
However, I have never seen or heard about such propaganda photos being
carried on Japanese wartime media.
- Re: Heinkels Over
Japan...And A Mystery
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- Posted By: Hiroyuki Takeuchi
Date: Tuesday, 1 August 2000, at 2:22 a.m.
-
- In Response To: Heinkels Over
Japan...And A Mystery (James F. Lansdale)
- I did some research on the He112
when I built the Encore kit as an A7He1 a couple of months ago. I found
only three photographs in Japanese markings. One is the retouched photo of
the He-112V9 you mentioned. Another is the photo of a He112A. The third is
a He112B in flight taken from below with seemingly red tailplanes and what
may be hinomarus on the undersurface of the wings (photo is not vbery
clear and the undersurface of the wings are shadowed and barely visible).
- If the Japanese painted mock
markings for propaganda, by the very nature of propaganda itself, the
photos of these Heinkels must have appeared in the media at that time.
However, I have never seen or heard about such propaganda photos being
carried on Japanese wartime media.
- Re: Heinkels Over
Japan...And A Mystery
-
- Posted By: Peter Starkings <mailto:stkngs@globalnet.co.uk?subject=Re:
Heinkels Over Japan...And A Mystery>
Date: Saturday, 5 August 2000, at 3:31 a.m.
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- In Response To: Heinkels Over
Japan...And A Mystery (James F. Lansdale)
- Hi James and Hiroyuki!
I certainly agree with what Hiroyuki has said about the He 112. There
appears to have been a lot of conflicting and romanticised information
written in several different American, British and German sources about
the "Japanese" He112s. The most likely blunt truth appears to be
that the Japanese pilots didn't like them, they were never tried in combat
and it is doubtful if any even went to China as often reported!
Furthermore, it is even doubtful whether more than 12 ever reached Japan
as quoted varying orders for additional quantities above that were
cancelled by either the Germans (some were diverted to Spain) or the
Japanese themselves. The final conundrum lies in what He112 variants were
actually supplied to Japan as these seem to have comprised a mixture of
different demonstration, prototype and early production models. Inspection
of the few photos (albeit all poor and retouched) available of the alleged
Japanese aircraft confirms this. Finally, if more had really been made of
them I think there would have been at least some such evidence in Japanese
sources. Even the Fiat Br.20 got grudging coverage!!
Regards, Peter
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