FAO Shinpachi: Mitsubishi Ki-46-III

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I built several late war WW2 aircraft from Japan. I believe much of the internal color
was a metallic blue,...but then again, 2005 was the last of my model building.

Just an FYI, I have recently acquired the May 1945 updated TAIC 253B report.
I believe the performance listed in this report is calculated, although it does not
say such. The report credits the two Mitsubishi Ha 112 engines with the ability
of producing 1,620 hp. at 2,800 ft. using 92 octane fuel and ADI (water injection ?).
It also credits the aircraft with an initial climb rate of 4,292 fpm. and a maximum
speed of 419.6 mph (364 knots/per/hr.) at 16,700 ft.
 
this most interesting setting, the officer on duty is having a conversation with a pilot while the ground crew in the background are servicing their "Dinah". Note that none of the officers is wearing any parachute but the pilot has put on his helmet. This photo was taken in China and the white clothes worn by the maintenance crew indicate that either they are of low rank or were locally obtained.
 
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This caption, wherever it came from, is not accurate.
The "white clothes" were cotton fatigues and supplied by the IJA as standard issue and not indicative of "low rank" or "obtained locally".
Also, there is no need for the crewman to be wearing a parachute if the aircraft is being serviced. The officer standing next to the crewman probably doesn't need a parachute, either...
 
Shinpachi said:
No pilots wore parachutes when they had no immediate schedule to fly but had to be prepared for scramble with the helmet.
The white working clothes was one of the ground crew uniforms as mechanic.
Looks a good off-duty day.
Click to expand...
There is also the chance that the crewman came over to chat with a supervising officer after a mission, while observing progress on the maintenance, too.
 
fubar57 said:
Is that the authentic color for the wheelwells? I have one in the stash to be done as a captured aircraft
Click to expand...

Hi Geo, sorry for not getting back sooner, as far as I know it is authentic (but not original), as the aircraft underwent restoration in 1990 with help from Japanese experts, when it was painted in the markings it wears today. There were efforts made to research its colour scheme it wore before its capture as there is little surviving information about its service career. Oddly, a Japanese 747 pilot painted the tail markings as he was an expert at sign writing! Information supplied to the museum at the time of its restoration doesn't match that in the War Prizes book, which is generally the bench mark for preserved Axis aircraft histories.

According to the museum it served with the 81st Sentai, 3rd Chutai, as restoration in the mid 1970s revealed these markings. It had been with the ATAIU and wore RAF roundels at one stage. The one in post #29 and the colour image at the bottom of post #33 is the same aeroplane, probably taken at RAF St Athan, but I'm not sure exactly when. Note the Gloster Meteor behind it and in post #29, the Mini and other suitably British cars.
 
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