Japanese Aircraft markings and Camouflage

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The direct translation of the part "emishi no sora o sarasi somekemu" is
"Bleach the enemy's sky and dye it new color" comparing the sky to the cloth.

Regards,
Shinpachi
 
Thanks Shinpachi, much appreciated. thankyou Sir!

I have misplaced one of my translations, and can't find the damn thing!
The other was translated as..

"SAMURAI FLYING HIGH
MILLION MILES NO FEAR
VAST SKY COLLECTIVE VICTORY"
 
Anyone have anything about IJNAF heavy bombers? I already checked J-Aircraft and struck out, and can't seem to find the directions for my Tamiya "Battle of Malaya" set's G3Ms and G4Ms--and I think my reluctance to rely on that source even if I could find it again is understandable.
 
Some nice prints Ron I think I might be getting in touch for a couple for the new office space.Cheers Kevin
 
Can anyone confirm the paintscheme featured on the A6M2 float planes in the Aleutians campaign?

As far as I know, the Rufe's there were all using white paint however I wanted to double check if some might have featured green camo aswell?

Thanks,

Bjorn
 
Rufes were not painted white....primary colour was a grey-Green overall during 1942 or Dark Green Upper camo and Grey-Green lower surfaces later in 1943.
 
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Believe I have seen pic's of Rufes with a lot of maroon on them. Or was this just a
squadron thing ??

Charles
 

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As memo serves the white colour was used only when Japaneses surrendered. In addition there were green crosses painted instead of Nippon national markings.
 
Has any one have any additional information about this unit? Was it a combat unit or a trainer squadron any information would be a help.




Markings : I.J.N. 381st N.F.G. 311th F.S. Code: 81-163 Philippines April 1944.










 
It was an actual unit that came into being April 1944 and was a Bomber-Fighter Unit, however according to Aircraft of the Imperial Japanese Navy, Land-based aviation, 1929-1945 (II) by Cea, they were based in Indonesia New Guinea during that time and were equipped with the A6M5 version. Dai 602 was equipped with the A6M2. Since it has an orange tail, perhaps this was a trainer being used.

The 2 pictures you posted are actually of Dai 332 which was based in the Philippines but not until Nov 44.
 
Question concerning the color details of the Mitsubishi A6M3: Several references/illustrations state the the spinners of some Mitsubishi built A6M3-22's (specifically the 251st Kokutai) were painted brown while others state they were green. I realize a majority of them were unpainted aluminum (or coated with a dull aluminum paint); but others such as Nishizawa's (mid '43)have been portrayed as a weathered/chipped brown. I cannot find a lot of information on this. I am tempted to believe either color could be correct. Also, following logic, would the back of the prop blades portray either color, or is flat black a safe bet, as current relic/preservation researchers have stated.

I have also posted this in the main Markings and Camouflage thread. Thanks in advance.

-Mark
 
A little more research and I answered my own question. James Lansdale, noted authority on Japanese WW2 aircraft color and markings, has stated that ~mid 1943 Mitsubishi started painting factory propellers brown. Prior to that, Mitsubishi painted the reverse side of the props only, and that color was also brown, not black. Spinners also were beginning to be painted brown in the same time frame. Logic infers that Nishizwa's unit would have attempted to comply with the July 1943 IJN directive on two-tone camoflage and field-applied both the upper green to UI-105 and carried the brown from the rear of the prop blades to the spinner, as was happening with different models of aircraft at the Mitsubishi factory. Thus the famous photo of Nishizawa flying UI-105 in the spring, 1943. Not conclusive, but compelling. Here is Mr. Lansdale's link: A6M Propellor colour

Good enough for me. Cheers.
-Mark
 
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