Recon Aircraft FAQs
 
Editors note: A word of caution is appropriate. Many of the threads in the Nats Project message board tend to digress more than the threads on other message boards. The reader is advised to check the other threads in the Nats Project when looking for information about a specific topic such as paint schemes or specific aircraft types.
 
Pearl Harbor Recon Birds
 
Posted By: Greg Springer <gspring@ix.netcom.com>
Date: Wednesday, 6 September 2000, at 2:12 p.m.
 
Model Art 378 "Shinjuwan Kogekitai - Pearl Harbor Attack Unit" Shows two Aichi E13A1 Jakes on page 45. One is labelled 'Recon flight of Lahaina Creek Dec. 8 (7th)- 8th Sentai, No. 1 ship, cruiser Tone.' Tail code is JI-1. The second is labelled 'Recon flight of Pearl Harbor Dec. 8 (7th)- 8th Sentai, no, 2 ship, cruiser Chikuma. Tail code is JII-1. Both are overall gray with black cowlings 'swept back' to windshield like on Vals. All national markings are with white surrounds, tail codes in red. I don't know about kit availability in 72nd and cannot verify the accuracy of this info. If you like I can send you a scan. Finally. as I am still working on the COCKPIT of the 1/48th Zero I started in March I'll need all the lead time I can get!
 
Re: Pearl Harbor Recon Birds
 
Posted By: Tim Hortman <thortman@epix.net>
Date: Wednesday, 6 September 2000, at 5:56 p.m.
 
In Response To: Pearl Harbor Recon Birds (Greg Springer)
 
THANKS for the info! I guess now we can include at least the Jake in the mix. (Please do send me a scan of the photo)
I'll be posting some more stuff either later tonight or tomorrow on picking kits, etc. Let me know if you would like to jump in on this display.
 
Re: Pearl Harbor Recon Birds
 
Posted By: Greg Springer <gspring@ix.netcom.com>
Date: Wednesday, 6 September 2000, at 6:14 p.m.
 
In Response To: Re: Pearl Harbor Recon Birds (Tim Hortman)
 
I reiterate my offer to do Zero BI-151 from Soryu.
There is an older Hasegawa kit of the E13A. The folks at King's Hobby also told me the 1/72nd Hasegawa Zero 21 is currently OOP but the type 11 is identical in the box. I can repost color info on PH Zero and Kaga Kate artifacts to help project participants.
 
Re: Pearl Harbor Recon Birds
 
Posted By: Gary Barling <whitey@nrtco.net>
Date: Wednesday, 6 September 2000, at 7:18 p.m.
 
In Response To: Re: Pearl Harbor Recon Birds (Greg Springer)
 
For what it's worth, I received the same information some time ago when I was researching a collection of the types of IJN aircraft used at PH. Essentially, I came up with four: the standard "Zero/Kate/Val" triumvirate, and the two Jakes that recce'ed Lahaina and PH itself. I have no information indicating that Petes were employed. Although the Jakes did not actually "attack" in the sense of causing physical damage, their reports were vital to the eventual success of the operation. Accordingly, in my opinion, they should certainly be included.
 
The LIST, Glen?
 
Posted By: Rob Graham <reishikisenguy@aol.com>
Date: Sunday, 10 September 2000, at 8:57 p.m.
 
In Response To: the LIST, a few additions. (Mike Connelley, running with scissors)
 
I recall Alpaslan Ertungealp volunteered for a Glen as well as a Jake. It seems to not be in the list anymore. Let us consider this resource:
Glen:
In Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War by Rene J. Francillon (©1970 ISBN 0-87021-313-X), Page 453 says:
"Known to the Allies as GLEN, the E14Y1 made its operational debut on 17 December, 1941, when the submarine I-7 launched its aircraft for a dawn reconnaissance over Pearl Harbor to assess the damage done by the carriers' bombers. Until 1943, when the increased use of radar by the Allies made such missions impractical, the E14Y1s were used for similar reconnaissance sorties over Allied bases in Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Madagascar, and the Aleutians."
 
A "new" grey/gray question!
 
Posted By: ALP <alp_ert@mail.matav.hu>
Date: Tuesday, 10 October 2000, at 1:41 a.m.
 
As the question is related to two types I will be building I wouldn't want to start a new debate but I felt it necessary to know more on grays/greys after the long threads in the last few weeks.
What type of grey was used on Jakes and Glens around the time of PH attack?
Both a/c should be overall the same color if I am not mistaken.
 
Re: GLEN scheme is a problem
 
Posted By: David_Aiken <David_Aiken@hotmail.com>
Date: Wednesday, 11 October 2000, at 6:54 a.m.
 
In Response To: A "new" grey/gray question! (ALP)
 
The pre-war scheme seen on the submarine plane before the GLEN was silver with red tail and white codes. Thus some artworks suggest this for the GLEN at Pearl Harbor. The later GLENs in photos are noted in having green camouflage and, for those whose tail markings are seen, have a blue tail code.
Model Art shows a green over gray scheme with no tail code, as the markings are really not known.
The GLEN was the SR-71/A-12/U-2 of 1941, thus rarely seen or photographed. The captured info from WWII only reveals the post-attack missions over Oahu in which the various GLENs participated.
 
Re: A grey Glen?
 
Posted By: Mike Quan <MnkQuan@worldnet.att.net>
Date: Tuesday, 10 October 2000, at 9:27 a.m.
 
In Response To: A "new" grey/gray question! (ALP)
 
The Glen illustrated in Model Art #378 (Pearl Harbor Attackers) is IJN green over gray. Rob, where was that reference you found to the Glen used at Pearl Harbor?
 
Re: A grey Glen?
 
Posted By: Rob Graham <reishikisenguy@aol.com>
Date: Tuesday, 10 October 2000, at 8:34 p.m.
 
In Response To: Re: A grey Glen? (Mike Quan)
 
My reference is (gasp) Francillon's book. Sure, I know there are some errors in it, but the detailed remarks seem too certain to disregard.
If you look at the MPM Glen, you'll see the scheme they're calling, which looks like a silver dope with red tail surfaces and white markings and a black cowl. Whatever. I think we'd need a bit better evidence.
 
Re: A grey Glen?
 
Posted By: ALP <alp_ert@mail.matav.hu>
Date: Tuesday, 10 October 2000, at 10:50 a.m.
 
In Response To: Re: A grey Glen? (Mike Quan)
 
It wasn't on the Glen at PH. I don't remember but I saw grey overall Glens and wasn't sure if it could have been the same case with the PH Glen.
If the MA illustration is correct and that was the only example then I have the following question?
Which grey was used for the undersurface color and are there variations of greens to open up a new debate?

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