I have this kit coming soon. I built one 11 or so years ago and painted it the silver scheme with 8 ball numbers on the fuselage "meatballs". It has a scheme for a Kate that carried the large 800 kg bomb that weighed about 1,750 pounds, it was made out of a 16 inch Japanese battleship shell. The scheme I did had a torpedo but I don't remember the kit including the large bomb. Also the box art shows a bizarre camo scheme which doesn't look quite right. Any help would be appreciated on whats inside and if the camo scheme is real or bogus.
Question on 1/72 Hasegawa B5N2 Kate
- Thread starter vandee
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Donivanp
Colonel
Viking1066
Brigadier General
The model with the eight and 3-317 tail marking belongs to the 12th Hikotai, China, 1940-1941. The paint pattern matches what the rest of Hiryu's air group had at the time. Here are some other B5N2s from Hiryu's group with the tail codes BII-310 and BII-320, with this aircraft number falling in between.
Here is BII-307 from Hiryu. Color and B/W photo.
It is possible the weathering has started to wear away the China color scheme, so it is within the realm of possibility.
Here is BII-307 from Hiryu. Color and B/W photo.
It is possible the weathering has started to wear away the China color scheme, so it is within the realm of possibility.
- Thread starter
- #4
Just one thing confusing me, the first 2 pictures are brown and green splotches. The last picture has green and tan color , similar to the relics that were found and kept at Pearl Harbor from 12-7-1941 raid. Is the last picture more accurate as I thought early Mitsubishi planes were that "tan" or caramel color. Sorta close to my PH Zero model in this post. I have been a member of jaircraft.com for 15 plus years and am familiar with the real Zero color from early Zeros. Actually my tan color should have a hint of green but I use rattle cans.
Viking1066
Brigadier General
The B5N1 and later 2 were manufactured by Nakajima. As for what I have seen in photos, it was originally metal until painted in the color scheme above. I have seen pictures of the B5N1, and the B5N2, and I haven't seen any of them that didn't have that early IJN dark green or camouflage applied. After the Ceylon Raid, many of them have the IJN dark green, and then later in the war the IJN dark black green color. The D3A1s I have seen with the caramel color and IJN dark green. I have that same B5N2 you made in my built collection as well. Nice build.
- Thread starter
- #6
SaparotRob
Unter Gemeine Geschwader Murmeltier XIII
Gorgeous.
- Thread starter
- #8
Viking1066
Brigadier General
Beautiful build!
Warbirdnutball
Airman 1st Class
- 184
- Aug 14, 2020
Is this the variant that was supposed to be the one that bombed the Arizona? I'm trying to find the markings myself. BTW, I think this is an excellent build seriously.
Viking1066
Brigadier General
Give me a little time. I will see if I can find that group.
Warbirdnutball
Airman 1st Class
- 184
- Aug 14, 2020
Thank you so much I really appreciate it.
Viking1066
Brigadier General
Arizona was in the section that the Hiryu's high level bombers attacked. Here are the color profiles and photos I found.
Arizona, Maryland, Tennessee and West Virginia Vestal after attack. 49 B5N2s dropped bombs and scored only 10 hits.
Arizona, Maryland, Tennessee and West Virginia Vestal after attack. 49 B5N2s dropped bombs and scored only 10 hits.
Warbirdnutball
Airman 1st Class
- 184
- Aug 14, 2020
Warbirdnutball
Airman 1st Class
- 184
- Aug 14, 2020
Thank you so much I really appreciate it. I had found this before and lost it and every time I looked for it before what I've got are these black and white pictures that didn't really show me anything. It's actually been very frustrating and it's going to be hard to do the painting because of what I'm going through but I will do my best to get it done. I wish I knew exactly which one it is but I will do my best to figure that out again thank you thank you thank you
Viking1066
Brigadier General
After the Ceylon Raid, Hiryu's B5N2s received paint jobs before the Midway Operation.
BI-330 After the Soryu and Hiryu switched tail prefixes prior to the Midway Operation.
BI-330 After the Soryu and Hiryu switched tail prefixes prior to the Midway Operation.
Viking1066
Brigadier General
You are very welcome. The gentlemen here have been very encouraging, making me want to know more. These could ease the camouflage pain.
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Warbirdnutball
Airman 1st Class
- 184
- Aug 14, 2020
Great researching I am impressed. One of the things that I've always liked about the Japanese aircraft is the way they mark their tail wings and such. Usually there's a lot of history and or mythology involved.
Viking1066
Brigadier General
I had to relearn what I thought I knew about the IJNAF and IJAAF. It's been worth the effort.
