Aichi E11A "Laura
Topic:
Unit Tail Code F on Laura
Aichi Type 98SeaplaneE11A1 (New)
 
Unit Tail Code F on Laura
 
Posted By: Peter Starkings <mailto:stkngs@globalnet.co.uk?subject=Unit Tail Code F on Laura>
Date: Monday, 15 January 2001, at 12:21 p.m.
 
FAOW 47(1994), Page 17, has a photo of an E11A Laura (also as color art in Model Art #565 page 3) wearing unit tail code F.
Does anyone know what unit (or ship) this was? Whilst F was used by 4 (later 702) land based composite Ku from February 1942 in Truk and New Guinea, a Laura seaplane on strength seems questionnable, even though there was plenty of surroundimg water from which it could operate!
Peter
 
Re: Unit Tail Code F on Laura
 
Posted By: François P. WEILL <mailto:frpawe@wanadoo.fr?subject=Re: Unit Tail Code F on Laura>
Date: Tuesday, 16 January 2001, at 4:17 a.m.
 
In Response To: Unit Tail Code F on Laura (Peter Re: Unit Tail Code F on Laura Starkings)
 
Hi both of you,
From Model Art565 (IJNAF Floatplanes) F coded Laura indeed belonged to the cruiser Sendai.
 
Hope it helps
François
Aichi Type 98SeaplaneE11A1
 
Posted By: NickFilippone <mailto:BPBITTERN@aol.com?subject=Aichi Type 98SeaplaneE11A1>
Date: Sunday, 3 February 2002, at 6:31 p.m.
 
What was colour scheme(s)? Overall dark green? Overall dark grey or Black? Dk. green over grey with yellow leading edges? I have the Fujimi kit but I'm not sure how to paint it. Thanks.
 
Re: Aichi Type 98SeaplaneE11A1
 
Posted By: François P. WEILL <mailto:frpawe@wanadoo.fr?subject=Re: Aichi Type 98SeaplaneE11A1>
Date: Monday, 4 February 2002, at 3:30 a.m.
 
In Response To: Aichi Type 98SeaplaneE11A1 (NickFilippone)
 
Hi Nick,
As documentation on Type 98 E11A1 is scarce, the answer to your question is not so easy and should not be definitive.
Black as been often quoted by Japanese source as an overall color for these planes and should have been indeed used as the role of these models was that of a night spy plane. But overall very dark green is also possible as overall black, though mentioned by some veterans on B6N torpedo planes used at night, doesn't seem to have been the current IJNAF night finish.
The proverbial green over "gray" NEVER existed anywhere in the IJNAF ! The gray was ever a gray-green (hairyokushoku)but this kind of camouflage which was conform to the June 1943 specification for all planes might have been used by second line units equipped with the E11A1 in a "not so operational" role. But what I have as documentation describe the plane ever in a solid color (black or Dk. Green).
The yellow IFF bands on the wings are not dependant upon the color of the camouflage though but linked to the date the plane was in use.
In August 1942, a joint agreement between the IJNAF and the IJAAF was signed creating a mandatory reconnaissance feature common to all Japanesse combat planes: the leading edge IFF bands. On camouflaged planes, these bands were to be yellow orange (but red on uncamouflaged ones, which the Navy never used). This was apparently enforced by the IJNAF in the end of October 1942 (from reports examining planes shot down by the allies signalling this new feature). So if your E11A1 operated before October 1942 it should not carry the yellow IFF bands and conversely thereafter.
Now, IMHO, I think the early E11A1 in service might well have received a special overall black camouflage and aircraft used later might well have been painted DK. Green overall. It is that way I would finish a model of E11A1.
Friendly.
François
 
Re: Aichi Type 98SeaplaneE11A1
 
Posted By: François P. WEILL <mailto:frpawe@wanadoo.fr?subject=Re: Aichi Type 98SeaplaneE11A1>
Date: Monday, 4 February 2002, at 12:58 p.m.
 
In Response To: Re: Aichi Type 98SeaplaneE11A1 (NickFilippone)
 
Nick:
A biplane will carry them both on the upper wing (single band including center of wing) and on the inferior wing as on a monoplane... Pete floatplanes are nice examples of this practice after Oct 1942...
FPW