Ki-30

 

Posted By: Michael E.Fader <mfader@surfeu.ch>

Date: Friday, 23 February 2001, at 1:14 a.m.

 

Search informations about the Ki.30, Interior (pictures), Armament, etc. I will made a Ki.30 in RTAF markings, have anyone pictures.

 

Re: Ki.30

 

Posted By: Ted Young <cest1171@hotmail.com>

Date: Monday, 26 February 2001, at 8:50 p.m.

 

In Response To: Ki.30 (Michael E.Fader)

 

My book "Aerial Nationalism: A History of Aviation in Thailand" has two photos of RTAF Ki.30s in RTAF markings which might be of use to you. There is also a photo of a Ki.30 in an article I wrote on the Franco-Thai air war in Air Enthusiast Vol.25.

 

I belive the Thai Ki.30s served in two schemes. They were delivered in the fall of 1940 in an all gray scheme, I assume using standard JAAF gray paints as they were delivered straight from Japan. RTAF roundels appeared on the top and bottom of the wings, and apparently on the fuselage sides. The rudder carried the Thai national colors (Red-white-blue-white-red).

 

Later in early 1941 (I don't know exactly when) the Ki.30s were repainted in a two-tone scheme of green upper surfaces and gray undersurfaces. I have no idea exactly what color green, but I assume it may well have been a JAAF type dark green, or possibly local RTAF stocks of dark green. There is a close up photo of a Ki.30 in these markings in my book and a similar photo (taken after the war) in the Air Enthusiast article.

 

During World War II I believe the Ki.30s would have carried the Thai rectangle and white elephant insignia on the top and bottom of the wings and on the vertical stabilizer, but not on the fuselage. In the photo in my book there is what appears to be a squadron insignia on the fuselage side.

 

Regretably there are very, very few photos of RTAF aircraft from the World War II period and not a lot of information about colors and markings.