J1N "Irving"

Nakajima J1N "Irving"

Posted By: Dan Salamone <mailto:heroncreek@qwest.net?subject=J1N Gekko colors?>
Date: Sunday, 11 February 2001, at 7:04 p.m.

Being that the Tamiya Irving is a few weeks away I looked through the FAQ's to see if there was anything on J1N colors...... could not find anything.

Can anybody shed light on the upper and lower colors of the Irving, and if it changed from early versions to late (which of course were overall dark green)?

Re: J1N Gekko colors?

Posted By: François P. WEILL <mailto:frpawe@wanadoo.fr?subject=Re: J1N Gekko colors?>
Date: Monday, 12 February 2001, at 3:38 a.m.

In Response To: J1N Gekko colors? (Dan Salamone)

Form Photo analysis and for the late ones actual samples:

Early (recon and early night fighters)

In "day scheme" which was Nakajima dark green (factory applied) 34077 over bare metal (undersufaces not painted). At least one pic shows one of these entirely bare metal but it doesn't seem to be an operational plane). Classical "antiglare areas" in gray black (this included cowlings). I don't know (but I suspect it was so) if the green was applied on primer.

Later night fighters:

Entirely Nakajima dark green 34077 with same "antiglare areas" treated as before... (pictures of surviving samples doesn't show any "darker than usual" kind of green in use and certainly not a single black painted sample).

Posted By: Dave Schemel <mailto:schemel@execpc.com?subject=Gekko stuff>
Date: Thursday, 19 April 2001, at 7:38 p.m.

Hopefully tomorrow my Tamiya Gekko will arrive. How should the cockpit be painted will the instructions be adequate?

Posted By: Pete Chalmers <mailto:pchalmers@carolina.rr.com?subject=Re: Gekko stuff>
Date: Friday, 20 April 2001, at 6:38 a.m.

In Response To: Gekko stuff (Dave Schemel)

Look very carefully at the painting instructions for the cockpit - they are actually pretty good. Painting the NMF floorboards with Aotake framing is fun ! ( Step 1 ). AS you will see, the "basic" interior color is either NMF or Aotake.

I would use a couple of shades of olive green instead of the call for XF-22 ( RLM grey ) This is typical Tamiya - they call for a color in their very limited paint line as opposed to the correct color - RLM grey is simply no where close to the colors in the restoration. I would use the following:

The NASM Irving book calls for a "basic" olive green "about" FS 34088/34098 ( my call based on translating the Munsell call 10 Y 4/4 ) for " those areas that had been previously painted a dark to medium green" and "about" FS 34102 ( 5GY 3/4 ) for "electrical panels".

I would be very surprised if the new Japanese Cockpit
Interiors book by Bob Mikesh doesn't have absolutely superb coverage of this aircraft - if you can wait a few months !

Posted By: Dan Salamone <mailto:heroncreek@qwest.net?subject=Re: Gekko stuff>
Date: Thursday, 19 April 2001, at 10:14 p.m.

In Response To: Gekko stuff (Dave Schemel)

Glad to see you here...:-) IIRC, Pete Chalmers said the Tamiya directions show a simplified version of the bird at the NASM which is an accurate rendition. Problem is- the cockpit is in a multitude of colors (aotake blue, green, an olive shade, etc.). The FAOW has some color photos of it- maybe someone can scan it for you or short of that I can help with copies. Let me know, speak with you soon.

Posted By: Robert Hanes <mailto:RHanes@aol.com?subject=Gekko Night-Figher Aces & Markings>
Date: Thursday, 22 March 2001, at 5:46 p.m.

I am looking for information on the Japanese Night-Fighter Aces that flew the "Gekko" for research for a up-coming decal Sheet on the new Tamiya 1/48" scale Type11 Gekko. I just obtain a sample of this kit from Japan and it is outstanding. There seems to be two other versions coming of the Irving "Gekko" from the way the kit and instructions are laid out. There will be a early version of the Type 11 with the step-fuselage with cannons on the top and bottom of the aircraft (all night-fighter version) and the Radar equiped version with straight back fuselage and the seperate
exhaust pipes, like the version that has been restored at Silver-Hills.Any help would be appreciated and will be given credit on the decal sheet.

Gekko Night-Figher Aces

Posted By: Andrew Obluski <mailto:aoba41@yahoo.com?subject=Gekko Night-Figher Aces>
Date: Thursday, 19 April 2001, at 1:07 a.m.

In Response To: Re: Gekko Night-Figher Ace WO Kuramoto *PIC* (UCHIDA, Katsuhiro)

Hello, Katsuhiro-san

Great pictures. Night figter pilots couldn't claim too many enemy aircraft so the publicity around them is smaller comparing to day fighters.You have already posted pictures of Kuroshima/Kuramoto and Endo. Have you pictures of Satoru Ono, Kudo, Minobe? What about Sakamoto that rammed US heavy bomber.

Re: Gekko Night-Figher Aces & Markings

Posted By: Paul Micklos <mailto:Paulmicklos@prodigy.net?subject=Re: Gekko Night-Figher Aces & Markings>
Date: Tuesday, 27 March 2001, at 3:50 p.m.

In Response To: Gekko Night-Figher Aces & Markings (Robert Hanes)

Well i can give you a little info, right now im in the middle of a move so it makes it hard, most of my stuff packed up. If you can wait a week LOL, I can tell you this from memory, the 251st converted the first Gekko to a night fighter. The 251st squadron had a lot of aces in there squadron, more than the average squadron. I would start there. I do some where have a color pallot of a 251st Gekko fighter, Once i unpack and if you are still interested. let me know. My email address is above.

Re: Gekko Night-Figher Ace Lt (jg). Kuroshima *PIC*

Posted By: UCHIDA, Katsuhiro <mailto:2000gt-b@mui.biglobe.ne.jp?subject=Re: Gekko Night-Figher Ace Lt (jg). Kuroshima *PIC*>
Date: Sunday, 15 April 2001, at 7:15 a.m.

In Response To: Re: Gekko Night-Figher Aces & Markings (Robert Hanes)

More information for you!
(Sorry if you have already got the decal sheets of this plane!)

These are the photos of Lt (jg). KUROSHIMA, Shiro (navigation/gunnery officer of Gekko) of Yokosuka Kokutai and his J1N1-S Gekko ("Yo-101").
Kuroshima was born in Tokyo on Feb. 13, 1923. He was not a "professional" Navy man. He went to Navy from Tokyo Agriculture College in Sept. 1943. He finished training course at Suzuka Kokutai and ordered to go to Yoko ku (Yokosuka Kokutai) in Apr. 1944.
He and his pilot WO KURAMOTO, Juzo gave damage to one B-29 and shot down one B-29 over Kawasaki City, Kanagawa on Apr. 15, 1945.
And they shot down five B-29s and gave damage to one B-29 over Tokyo and Chiba on May 25, 1945.
These two men got certificates of commendation from VAdm. TOTSUKA, Michitaro (CinC Yokosuka Naval District) on June 1, 1945.
They were at Yokosuka ku until the end of the war.

Source: "Aviation Heroes of Imperial Army & Navy" by OSHIO, Kazuhiko and NOHARA, Shigeru (Kojinsha March 2001)

Gekko Night-Figher Aces

Posted By: Andrew Obluski <mailto:aoba41@yahoo.com?subject=Gekko Night-Figher Aces>
Date: Thursday, 19 April 2001, at 1:07 a.m.

In Response To: Re: Gekko Night-Figher Ace WO Kuramoto *PIC* (UCHIDA, Katsuhiro)

Hello, Katsuhiro-san

Great pictures. Night figter pilots couldn't claim too many enemy aircraft so the publicity around them is smaller comparing to day fighters.

You have already posted pictures of Kuroshima/Kuramoto and Endo. Have you pictures of Satoru Ono, Kudo, Minobe? What about Sakamoto that rammed US heavy bomber.

Gekko Night-Figher Ace Ens. KUDO, Shigetoshi *PIC*

Posted By: UCHIDA, Katsuhiro <mailto:2000gt-b@mui.biglobe.ne.jp?subject=Gekko Night-Figher Ace Ens. KUDO, Shigetoshi *PIC*>
Date: Thursday, 19 April 2001, at 11:56 a.m.

In Response To: Gekko Night-Figher Aces (Andrew Obluski)

I guess you meant Ens. KUDO, Shigetoshi.
I do not have photo of Ono now. Does Minobe mean "Lt. Cdr. MINOBE, Tadashi" of "Fuyo Butai"?

Kudo flew C5M and shot down two B-17s on Aug. 29, 1942. He used "3-go Bakudan (anti aircraft bomb)" on the day.
He flew J1N1-R from May 1943 and shot down (over Rabaul)...

*two B-17s on May 21,
*one B-17 on June 11,
*one B-17 on June 13,
*two B-17s on June 26,
*one B-17 on June 30.

VAdm. KUSAKA, Jin'ichi praised him and gave a sword to him.
After that, he shot down one Hudson on July 7, 1943 over Buin.

He belonged to Yokosuka Kokutai when the war ended.

Source: "Aviation Heroes of Imperial Army & Navy" by OSHIO, Kazuhiko and NOHARA, Shigeru (Kojinsha March 2001)

You are right! ("Kurotori", not "Kuroshima")

Posted By: UCHIDA, Katsuhiro <mailto:2000gt-b@mui.biglobe.ne.jp?subject=You are right! ('Kurotori', not 'Kuroshima')>
Date: Friday, 20 April 2001, at 9:36 a.m.

In Response To: Re: Gekko Night-Figher Ace Ens. KUDO, Shigetoshi (Andrew Obluski)

You are right!!
He is "KUROTORI", not "KUROSHIMA"!!
The reasons why I made mistake were that I have not known about him until I read the book which I bought recently and the character "Tori" (which means "bird") is very similar to the character "Shima" (which means "island"). So his family name is "Black Bird", not "Black Island".

Thank you very much for researching!!

Best regards,
Katsuhiro

Ginga questions

Posted By: Mark Mills <mailto:mark@silvercourt.fsnet.co.uk?subject=Ginga questions> Date: Saturday, 29 September 2001, at 8:38 a.m.

Hiya,
I was wondering if anyone knows what green and grey to use on the Ginga, and what colour(s) the interior was painted in? Any help would be gratefully received. Incidentally, I recently bought a Revell Gekko cheaply, and noticed a few differences between the Revell kit (J1N1-s) and the Fujimi kit (J1N3). Namely, the oblique cannon installation: on the Fujimi kit they're staggered whereas they're side-by-side on the Revell kit. Also, the engine nacelles taper much more on the Fujimi kit than on the Revell one. I did notice other engine differences too. So, are these differences correct? Is there anything else I should be aware of?
Thanks in advance and best regards,

Mark.

Re: Ginga questions

Posted By: Tim Hortman <mailto:thortman@epix.net?subject=Re: Ginga questions> Date: Saturday, 29 September 2001, at 12:56 p.m.

In Response To: Ginga questions (Mark Mills)

Hi Mark,
Below is a link to some photos I took of the P1Y1 at NASM Garber. I have used the color in the old Aeromaster line which matched the color very well. The interior color is a lighter green, but I forget which color I used on it exactly. I do have many more photos of the Frances here, but my scanner is out of action. I guess I have to break donw and buy another one...
Let me know if there are any other specific things I can help with.
Take care, Tim
NASM Garber "Frances"

Re: Ginga questions

Posted By: Michael Swinburne <mailto:a4_kahu@hotmail.com?subject=Re: Ginga questions> Date: Saturday, 29 September 2001, at 5:59 p.m.

In Response To: Re: Ginga questions (Tim Hortman)

IIRC, the rear cockpit of it was aluminum - i stuck my head in there last month

Ginga P1Y1-S radar aerials

Posted By: Johns <mailto:juha.saarikko@yle.fi?subject=Ginga P1Y1-S radar aerials> Date: Wednesday, 5 September 2001, at 4:06 a.m.

Just building a late war AI-radar equipped Ginga with the rudimentary radar, but i do not know what kind radar aerials were installed to the fuselage. Hasegawa modeling question does have 4 optional holes to be punched inside on both sides of the fuselage but it does not include any radar aerials for this version Just wondering if they are Yagi type or just straight antennas. I do have a picture of a war prize Ginga in US markings and it does show these aerials, but it is kinda difficult to see what the rear fuselage aerials are like ...

Re: Ginga P1Y1-S radar aerials

Posted By: Graham Boak <mailto:graham@boak98.freeserve.co.uk?subject=Re: Ginga P1Y1-S radar aerials> Date: Wednesday, 5 September 2001, at 7:54 a.m.

In Response To: Ginga P1Y1-S radar aerials (Johns)

Do you have photos of this installation? The NF Gingas I have seen in photos had no radar - the radar equipped Gingas were ASV-equipped bombers with a Yagi pole on the nose and the fuselage "fence posts". Like the Betty.
I understood that the only NF radar-equipped aircraft was the Irving.
I'm always glad to discover new information, but.....

ASV indeed but what about Kyokko ?

Posted By: Johns <mailto:juha.saarikko@yle.fi?subject=ASV indeed but what abotut Kyokko ?> Date: Thursday, 6 September 2001, at 12:02 a.m.

In Response To: Re: Ginga P1Y1-S radar aerials (Graham Boak)

OK I see..
I think that is just the case it being an ASV-equipped a/c. but is there any data about the radars in Kyokkos, because i have seen some notes about that?

Re: ASV indeed but what about Kyokko ?

Posted By: Graham Boak <mailto:graham@boak98.freeserve.co.uk?subject=Re: ASV indeed but what abotut Kyokko ?> Date: Thursday, 6 September 2001, at 11:51 a.m.

In Response To: ASV indeed but what about Kyokko ? (Johns)

I've only seen one photo of a -2, which was identified as a bomber. My understanding was that they were converted in or shortly after build to bombers because of the failure of the -1 in the NF role, but I do not pass this off as gospel.

The Revell kit gave a number of markings for a -2; I do not recall if any were for night fighters and in view of the apparent lack (or at least shortage) of -2 photos I have doubts about the value of the sheet. Hasegawa did not release their Ginga kit as a -2 NF, only as a prototype and as a bomber. If anyone has the transfer sheet for the bomber spare, I'd be grateful for it!

Ginga P1Y1 radar aerials IF the links don't work!

Posted By: Tim Hortman <mailto:thortman@epix.net?subject=Ginga P1Y1 radar aerials IF the links don't work!> Date: Thursday, 6 September 2001, at 6:35 a.m.

In Response To: Re: Ginga P1Y1-S radar aerials *PIC* (Tim Hortman)

Hey all,
I'm not sure what is wrong with the link to these, but here are the URL's for you:
http://www.geocities.com/vfa127/GarberP1Y1starboard.jpg http://www.geocities.com/vfa127/GarberP1Y1port.jpg
There are only two photos, although I had 3 postings. (the first one didn't work when I tried it)
Cheers! Tim