A pair of Yokosuka 'Ginga' (Milky Way) and a Zero in Republic of China Air Force (RoCAF) markings bask in the sun on a Formosan airfield in 1945. Of note are the different shades of blue visible in the Kuomintang 'white sun on blue sky' insignia and the yellow and white tail numbers, difficult to discern from b/w photographs. The aircraft out of view with a striped rudder may be a Ki-48 or possibly a Ki-45.
Gary Wenko, leader of the Japanese Aviation SIG (Special Interest Group) of IPMS UK has kindly sent me a photograph of his model of a 'Francis' in Chinese markings, built from the classic Revell/Takara kit.
Image credits: Bill Ward via Warren E Thompson; Gary Wenko
3 comments:
My guess on the "unseen" aircraft would be a Ki-48......
Is there any idea if these aircraft were used operationally Nick? Thanks as always.....
Dan
Thanks Dan! I concur that a Ki-48 is more likely too.I don't know whether they were flown operationally but I doubt it. Maybe some flight testing if the aircraft were in good enough condition. The Kuomintang tended to put their insignia on everything, even derelict aircraft. Others may know more though . .
Great work on the Frances kit, Gary.
It is one not often seen.
Ken Glass
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