Japanese Army Ki-10 "Perry" Fighter
Where else can we view multiple cockpit photos of this rare airplane? Great selection
of recently discovered detailed photographs of a Ki-10 captured and evaluated by
Soviet forces before WW2. Not as clear as the A5M2 collection - also found in Russian
Federation Archives - but the best we have so far!
This aircraft type is presently extinct.
Where else can we view multiple cockpit photos of this rare airplane? Great selection
of recently discovered detailed photographs of a Ki-10 captured and evaluated by
Soviet forces before WW2. Not as clear as the A5M2 collection - also found in Russian
Federation Archives - but the best we have so far!
This aircraft type is presently extinct.
Very few of these Mitsubishi-built airplanes were ever built, and only this one flew
from Tokyo to London in world-record time. Thus, detailed photographs are scarce.
In 1937, however, the Japanese magazine Asahigraph and a writer for England's
Aeroplane magazine, published these rare cockpit photos and drawings.
This aircraft type is presently extinct.
from Tokyo to London in world-record time. Thus, detailed photographs are scarce.
In 1937, however, the Japanese magazine Asahigraph and a writer for England's
Aeroplane magazine, published these rare cockpit photos and drawings.
This aircraft type is presently extinct.
Japanese Navy A5M2 Type 96 "Claude" Fighter
An amazing collection of 38 highly-detailed photographs from out of the former Soviet
Union of a captured example of this fighter under evaluation by the Russians c. 1940.
This aircraft type is presently extinct.
An amazing collection of 38 highly-detailed photographs from out of the former Soviet
Union of a captured example of this fighter under evaluation by the Russians c. 1940.
This aircraft type is presently extinct.
Japanese Navy N1K1-J Kyofu "George" Fighter
Another incredible collection of over 75 very clear photographs taken by the
Kawanishi aircraft factory, documenting the hand-construction of the first two
'Kyofu' prototype aircraft in 1942.
This aircraft type is presently extinct.
Another incredible collection of over 75 very clear photographs taken by the
Kawanishi aircraft factory, documenting the hand-construction of the first two
'Kyofu' prototype aircraft in 1942.
This aircraft type is presently extinct.
Japanese Army Ki-61 I "Tony" Fighter
Collection of extremely thorough color photos of the well-preserved and
unrestored Ki-61 owned by Kermit Weeks.
There are four preserved aircraft of this type in the world. The only complete and
displayed example is a Ki-61 II 'kai' late-war model, which is currently in Japan.
Collection of extremely thorough color photos of the well-preserved and
unrestored Ki-61 owned by Kermit Weeks.
There are four preserved aircraft of this type in the world. The only complete and
displayed example is a Ki-61 II 'kai' late-war model, which is currently in Japan.
Japanese Navy G4M3 "Betty" Bomber
A rare detailed glimpse of the cockpit section from this late-war
variant of this bomber as preserved in unrestored condition at
the Garber Facility of the National Air and Space Museum.
Aside from fuselage sections, this aircraft type is extinct.
A rare detailed glimpse of the cockpit section from this late-war
variant of this bomber as preserved in unrestored condition at
the Garber Facility of the National Air and Space Museum.
Aside from fuselage sections, this aircraft type is extinct.
Japanese Army Captured USAAF P-40E
Rare WW2-era images of one ex-USAAF P-40E 'Warhawk' that was originally
painted by Allied crews in the Philippines to mirror the then-glamorized 'Flying
Tigers. Captured by the Japanese Army early in 1942, the aircraft retained the
colorful markings while its new owner painted over the American stars with the
red hinomaru.
Rare WW2-era images of one ex-USAAF P-40E 'Warhawk' that was originally
painted by Allied crews in the Philippines to mirror the then-glamorized 'Flying
Tigers. Captured by the Japanese Army early in 1942, the aircraft retained the
colorful markings while its new owner painted over the American stars with the
red hinomaru.
Japanese Army Experimental Ki-74 "Patsy"
A small collection of unpublished post-war photographs of the
11th prototype Ki-74 extremely long range Army bomber.
This aircraft type is presently extinct.
A small collection of unpublished post-war photographs of the
11th prototype Ki-74 extremely long range Army bomber.
This aircraft type is presently extinct.
Over many years I've had opportunities to inspect and photograph many of the few remaining Japanese aircraft from WW2. It might surprise some to know how rare these once numerous
aircraft are today. Most Japanese aircraft types are completely extinct after being burned and buried in their thousands by US forces after the war. Due to widespread distrust of the
Japanese during the occupation (1945 - 1952), largely as a consequence of earlier Kamikaze attacks, nothing in Japan that could fly was spared the torch and utter destruction. The
American occupation force destroyed even civilian airliners and gliders. Unlike the wartime air forces of other nations of the world - even the German Luftwaffe - there was no retention
of some non-combat aircraft types for later civilian use. The Japanese were forced to purchase American surplus once they eventually won the trust of their former enemies - a trust won
largely through Japan's support of the US during the Korean War. The Japanese aircraft industry that designed and produced many of the best and most advanced aircraft of the 1930s
and 40s never regained its former glory - though most of its unique philosophy and organization was put to use in building a modern automotive industry that collectively dwarfs that of
the United States' today.
The only Japanese aircraft that were spared destruction after the war were a few seized by Allied forces for evaluation or as war trophies and transported out of Japan. Since then, and
in fact mostly over the last 20 years, several more aircraft have been pulled out of their wartime graves across the South Pacific to be restored - some to flying condition. Their rarity,
compared to the wartime aircraft of all other nations, has made them valuable investments for those with pockets deep enough to finance such salvage and restoration. Most such
ventures have been at the expense of authenticity, as an aircraft only reaches its greatest value if it's made airworthy - a process that has always involved replacing engines with some
American types, and replacing extinct Japanese equipment with modern equivalents.
Even the smallest fragment of a Japanese aircraft is quite literally worth its weight in gold today, as recent eBay examples indicate: A swatch of fabric from a Japanese trainer (likely a
"Willow" advanced trainer) sold for nearly $400. A single aircraft instrument will routinely sell for $1000 (compared to around $200 for a German a/c instrument, or $50 for an American
example). A slightly battered gun sight for a Japanese 'Zero' fighter sold on eBay for $10,300. A whole airplane? In excess of 3 to 5 million dollars.
The scarcity of aircraft and their components makes them extremely hard to study. Limited American public appreciation for the aircraft of the Japanese Empire has caused those few
museums that have potentially restorable airframes to concentrate on other aircraft types.
This compilation of photographs, therefore, fulfills an important need - at least for those interested in the aircraft of wartime Japan.
I've also included (and am adding as time allows) some photograph collections that were compiled by contributors in Australia and Japan (Thank you, Naburo Harada and Bruce Hoy),
as well as some unpublished wartime collections.
aircraft are today. Most Japanese aircraft types are completely extinct after being burned and buried in their thousands by US forces after the war. Due to widespread distrust of the
Japanese during the occupation (1945 - 1952), largely as a consequence of earlier Kamikaze attacks, nothing in Japan that could fly was spared the torch and utter destruction. The
American occupation force destroyed even civilian airliners and gliders. Unlike the wartime air forces of other nations of the world - even the German Luftwaffe - there was no retention
of some non-combat aircraft types for later civilian use. The Japanese were forced to purchase American surplus once they eventually won the trust of their former enemies - a trust won
largely through Japan's support of the US during the Korean War. The Japanese aircraft industry that designed and produced many of the best and most advanced aircraft of the 1930s
and 40s never regained its former glory - though most of its unique philosophy and organization was put to use in building a modern automotive industry that collectively dwarfs that of
the United States' today.
The only Japanese aircraft that were spared destruction after the war were a few seized by Allied forces for evaluation or as war trophies and transported out of Japan. Since then, and
in fact mostly over the last 20 years, several more aircraft have been pulled out of their wartime graves across the South Pacific to be restored - some to flying condition. Their rarity,
compared to the wartime aircraft of all other nations, has made them valuable investments for those with pockets deep enough to finance such salvage and restoration. Most such
ventures have been at the expense of authenticity, as an aircraft only reaches its greatest value if it's made airworthy - a process that has always involved replacing engines with some
American types, and replacing extinct Japanese equipment with modern equivalents.
Even the smallest fragment of a Japanese aircraft is quite literally worth its weight in gold today, as recent eBay examples indicate: A swatch of fabric from a Japanese trainer (likely a
"Willow" advanced trainer) sold for nearly $400. A single aircraft instrument will routinely sell for $1000 (compared to around $200 for a German a/c instrument, or $50 for an American
example). A slightly battered gun sight for a Japanese 'Zero' fighter sold on eBay for $10,300. A whole airplane? In excess of 3 to 5 million dollars.
The scarcity of aircraft and their components makes them extremely hard to study. Limited American public appreciation for the aircraft of the Japanese Empire has caused those few
museums that have potentially restorable airframes to concentrate on other aircraft types.
This compilation of photographs, therefore, fulfills an important need - at least for those interested in the aircraft of wartime Japan.
I've also included (and am adding as time allows) some photograph collections that were compiled by contributors in Australia and Japan (Thank you, Naburo Harada and Bruce Hoy),
as well as some unpublished wartime collections.
Copyright: All content and images Copyright Ron Cole, 1992 - 2010.