I was looking through Rene Francillon's book "Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War" and noticed that the Kawanishi N1K1's photographed were either a light grey or natural metal. Neither airframe has a dark cowling nor counter-rotating props. One is moderate-to-heavily weathered.

What is the proper colour for these aircraft and what is the story behind it.

Thanks kindly for your knowledge,
Daryl Johnson

Re: Kyofu Colour Query *PIC*

 

Hi Daryl

The Kawanishi N1K1 "Rex" (Kyofu) on p.318 of the FRANCILLON book is either the N1K1 Rex, s/n 514, presently undergoing restoration at the Garber Facilities (NASM), in Silver Hill, Maryland or the N1K1 Rex s/n 562, at the Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg, Texas.

See photos below of Rex s/n 514 (which, I believe, were taken by Tim HORTMAN). This Rex has been painted several times as evidenced by the photos. The original finish was overall gray-green (note color beneath the numerals) and then the top wing surfaces and fuselage were painted dark green (while in IJNAF service). The original code which appeared on the tail was ["YO"G-1001] in white and designated its assignment to No.903 Kaigun Kokutai for anti-submarine and escort duties.

There are many views taken throughout the years of both Rexs to be found in the Walk-around section of J-A Dot Com. Click below the photo for these scenes.

Please note both have been overpainted several times after capture, including aluminum and USN blue!

HTH

Jim Lansdale

Re: Kyofu Colour Query

 

Konnichi wa,
FAOW #53 has some EXCELLENT photos of operational Kyofu together with photos of the prototype with his "orange" colour and the counter-rotating propelers.

Domo,
George

Re: Kyofu Color

 

Aloha Daryl,
There are two photos of the N1K1 in the Kyofu section of Francillon's book. Page 317 is just after capture with an operational scheme sans tail code ...page 318 is a Kyofu on exhibit years later at Willow Grove NAS in a fictional scheme.

The Kyofu I worked on in 1975-6, now exhibited at the Nimitz Museum, had a neutral gray undersurface with green upper surface... The "tiny markings" had masking tape over them, with rare exception and showed this neutral gray undersurface...the few "tiny marking" areas [and the factory stencil area] which had been exposed revealed that the neutral gray color had changed.

HTH,
Cheers,
David Aiken

Re: Kawanishi Neutral Gray: Kyofu Color

 

Aloha All,
The topic of this thread is a Kawanishi bullt airplane and the unique observation made separately by both Greg and I in our recording of the tiny markings.

In 1975-6, I had the opportunity to obtain the AOK to remove the masking tape covering the various "tiny" stencil markings on an airframe which had been overpainted with USN paint. Yet, many of these markings had already been uncovered: the manufacture stencil, for example. These which had been exposed prior to my arrival showed a change in the color possibly affected by the atmosphere. Greg noted the undersurface color change, on the markings which I had revealed, in his repeated treks to the airframe.

How this affects the Mitsubishi A6M2 hypothesis promoted by Mr Lansdale is not the issue. The Kawanishi undersurface color shift reveals a characteristic that needs to be addressed in the study of Japanese paints.

HTH,
David Aiken

 

Re: Nimitz Kyofu Color in good condition

 

Aloha All,
In Greg Springer and my analysis of the Nimitz Museum REX [albeit a much later serial], it was in good condition, being protected by the USN paint and the masking tape covering of the "tiny" markings which protected the actual colors quite well.

Of interest, the Kawanishi Neutral Gray was the expected color in the 1970s. The exposed undersurface color -which is similar to select colors in other hypotheses- was quickly understood by those on the scene as a chemical reaction of the paint with exposure to the air.

While the sole approval source for color continues to be sceptical of any other observation, Mr Jim Long was also an early visitor to view the Nimitz REX, his photography surely should add weight to these observations, if he photographed the tiny marks.

Cheers,
David

Re: Yes, neutral gray: IIDA's Zero Also? *PIC*

 

Thank you David for clearing-up the issue of the Nimitz Museum Kyofu color!

On the other hand, the Kyofu at Silver Hill has a gray-green (hairyokushoku ?) finish applied immediately to the primer coat.

Speaking of the "neutral gray" color you and Greg SPRINGER found on the Nimitz Kyofu, your research also provides evidence that the IIDA Zero [BII-151 ?], which was shot down at Kaneohe Bay 7 December, also had a "neutral" or "nonspec grey bottom,..."!

While this "Confidential" report also supports the "greenish-khaki" (hairyokushoku/ameiro/"grey-poupon"/I3/J3, whatever!) colors found on the relics from several aircraft shot down at Pearl Harbor, this is the first time I have seen your documentation for two-tone Zeros!(See below)

Perhaps this explains why the carrier I.D. bands on the fuselage of Pearl Harbor Zeros did not go all the way around the bottom, but possibly ended at the "nonspec grey bottom" demarcation line where it merged with the "greenish-khaki color topside".

It is also possible that this report is not too accurate, as you will note that the IIDA Zero also is stated to have been sporting a "red band around (the) fuselage". SORYU aircraft, [BI-] identifier, have been documented as sporting a single "blue" fuselage band!

At least three of the Zero relics examined are from the bottom surfaces of the IIDA and HIRANO Zeros and these relics are the same color as the top surfaces, i.e. "greenish-khaki," not "nonspec grey".

Also see Greg SPRINGER's analysis/photos of the IIDA Zero fin sample at the Nimitz Museum in the Research Section of J-A Dot Com.

Click on the link below the document you cite for a view of Greg's superb model of the IIDA Zero on display at the IIDA memorial in Japan.

Thank you for your continued support of this research.

Jim Lansdale