| Japanese WW2 Aircraft in Detail by Ron Cole |
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.
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.
Link to Aircraft Photo Collections (by type):
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 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 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 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-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.
Only 30 Bf-109B 1s (the first produced 109 version) were ever built. A dozen
saw combat, mostly in the Spanish Legion Condor. One of those planes fell
into Russian hands, was photographed extensively - and the 75 extra-sharp
images survived 60 years.
This distinctive version of the 109 series is presently extinct.
saw combat, mostly in the Spanish Legion Condor. One of those planes fell
into Russian hands, was photographed extensively - and the 75 extra-sharp
images survived 60 years.
This distinctive version of the 109 series is presently extinct.
| Japanese 'Stuka' Coming Soon Nov. 24, '09 |