Yak-3 (Як-3 ) wasSoviet single-engine fighter aircraft. It was Yak-3 developed in 1943 by the team headed by A. S. Yakovlev, developing already proven in combat, the Yak-1. Designers were tasked to increase survivability, combat characteristics and firepower of Yak-1. To do this, they needed to reduce weight and increase fire power and speed. Result was formidable opponent of the Luftwaffe with maximum speed of 645km/h and great maneuverability. In combat, its proven very effective and it is interesting to mention battle held at 16^th July 1944 when ten Yak-3 face against eight Bf 109 and four Fw 190 (later more fighters join fight so total Soviet fighter was 18 and from German side 24) and result was 15 enemy fighters shoot down with only one Yak-3 lost.

From the very start Yak-3 have fighter camouflage pattern used from mid war up to the end of war. This consist from AMT-11 Sero Goluboi and AMT-12 Temnoserii and bottom in AMT-7 Goluboi. That color was medium blue grey and extra dark grey and mid blue at bottom. At the ending months of the war, camouflage was simplified and appeared fighters with only one grey at the top.

Color profiles present following airplanes:

• Yak-3 flown by general Zaharov, interesting is use Orthodox motive of St. Georg killing dragon
• Yak-3 flown by French pilot Louis Delfino
• Yak-3 no 100 flown by Soviet pilot Fedorov
• Yak-3 no 12 flown by leitant Nosov from 150^th IAP, with simplified late war camouflage
• Yak-3 no 74 from 14 GIAP, early 1945

Srećko Bradić

The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 was a military confrontation between India and Pakistan that occurred during the liberation war in East Pakistan from 3 December 1971 to the fall of Dacca (Dhaka) on 16 December 1971. The war began with preemptive aerial strikes on 11 Indian air stations, that led to the commencement of hostilities with Pakistan and Indian entry into the war of independence in East Pakistan on the side of Bengali nationalist forces. Lasting just 13 days, it is one of the shortest wars in history.

01- Pakistan has operated 18 Martin B-57B/RB-57Bs in the early ’70. These machines were meanwhile assigned to the No.7 Squadron: ten were deployed at Masroor and eight at Mianwali AB. Sample here is serial 53-3846 and it features all dark green camouflage color. Inscription on nose is in white.

02- Starfighter from Pakistan No.9 Squadron’s was reinforced by addition of at least eight Starfighters from the Royal Jordanian Air Force’s No.9 Squadron. At the 10. December 1971 one Starfighter with Jordanian pilot downed India’s Alize plane. They claimed five victories while one is downed by India Mystere.

03- This is former Luftwaffe Sabre and it wear standard NATO camouflage pattern. Small numbers are on nose in white while full serial in black is in the rear fuselage.

04- Pakistan F-86E 54026 was the plane flown by Sqn.Ldr. M.M. Alam in 7 September 1965. He has claimed several victories at that day but investigation did not confirm this. Later this plane was show with victory marks for the propaganda purpose.

05- Toofani or Ouragon, from the No.29 Squadron, with unit scorpion markings on the nose. This type have seen operational service in war in 1965 but with no prominent success.

06. this Ouragan probably flew by Flt Lt Rana Lalchand Sikka and it force landed at 25th June 1965 in Pakistan and pilot become prisoner of war. Plane is downed by Pakistan fighters.

07- Shenyang F-6 serial 47-1823 from No. 25 Squadron have standard Chinese camouflage pattern. Colors are possible of Soviet origin but manufactured in China. Wing Commander Saad Hatmi (OC No. 25 Squadron) and Flight Lieutenant Shahid Raza – intercepted and shot down two IAF Hunters in the Soan valley near Sakesar hills, possibly on this plane.

08- Shenyang F-6 from 15 Sqn, Pakistan serial 1817 were flown by Fl.Lt.Javed Latif and at 4th December 1971 he shot Indian Su-7.

09-Hunter India BA341 of No.5 Squadron India, the same plane is delivered in the standard RAF camouflage and it is possible that in the 1965 it does not use squadron badge with bull on it but it was used later. Hunters proved very successfully in air to air as well ground attack missions.

10- Hunter FGA.9 flown by Harish Masand. In air combat over Dacca at 4. December 1971, he has claimed air kill and Masand was awarded a Vir Chakra decoration. His unit was Black Panthers. His victim was Pakistan fighter Sabre and Pakistan pilot- Flt Lt Saeed Afzal Khan of 14 sqn PAF is said to have ejected safely but was lynched by Mukti Bahini guerilla troops.

11-Canberra India 976, IF976 from Tuskers squadron. This unit is served in mission in Congo and Canberra’s seen there was all in natural metal colors. Unit logo is small red elephant and plane has no other marks. Camouflage is standard and maybe later introduced. Note small radar warning antenna beneath the rear fuselage.

12-Canberra India IF928, from the same unit as previous sample but this one in the natural metal. This sample have gun pack under the fuselage and plane was used in various ground attack role.

13-Gnat India IE1083, from No. 23 squadron India. The plane was flown by squadron leader S/LB. Sikand and it is force landed and captured by Pakistanis. Plane is preserved and displayed in museum.

14-Gnat India E 257 flown by Fg Off N S Sekhon E 257. His plane is downed by Pakistani Sabre, F-86(F/O SB Mirza) at 0750 Hr, and Sekhon lost his life.

15- Dassault Mirage III EP from Pakistan No.5 squadron. This type seen action in the 1971 war and have several air claims. Camouflage is standard NATO type.

16- Dassault Mirage III EP from the early days of war is still preserved in Pakistan. This one is interesting to have light buff radom under the nose and no tactical number on the nose. Rest of the camouflage and marking are standard. No specific info about the war time service of this particular airplane.

17-Shenyang F-6 Pakistan, serial number 47-1825 from the No. 11 ‘Arrows’ Squadron, piloted by Flight Lieutenant Aamer Ali Sharieff in 1971 War to fire a Sidewinder on an IAF MiG-21 during a search and destroy mission over the Shakargarh salient. The same plane is in natural metal and Sidewinder is mounted on the external wing pylons.

18- MiG-21PF, India register C750, flown by Flt.Lt. Bharat B. Soni on 12 December 1971, when he has shot down the F-104A flown by Sqn. Ldr. M. E. Middlecoat, of the No. 9 Sqn PAF. Airplane is additionally mounted with belly gun pack [removable unit] and it is possible that during the war it get camouflage patches.

19- MiG-21PFs from the No. 29 Sqn, India register C731. This plane wear standard aluminium top coat with additional brown patches in irregular position. Plane was one of several MiG-21 PF of late manufacture delivered to India and this version feature forward opening canopy and large vertical fin chord.

20- MiG-21 PF C992, operationally used in the war in 1971. It camouflage pattern is war time modification and it appeared in the same time as the Su-7 ground attack planes enter in the India service. This give option that the same colors were used. As well the brown look red brown it look on black and white images almost like black.

21- Hindustan Marut was India project of the fighter. No.220 Squadron used that machine with great success in ground as well air combat against Pakistan. In whole war time carrier this plane featured natural metal pattern with small national insignia.

Srećko Bradić

Fw 190D was development of original Fw 190 with radial engine where it was replaced with Jumo engine and retain similar round shape of nose. This development result in one very effective fighter airplane at the ending months of the WW2. In short period of service, it used several camouflage patterns and colors.

01. Fw190D-9, unknown W.Nr., from Stab IV./JG 3, Prenzlau, Germany, March 1945. This airplane is regularly associated with Oscar Romm. Whole airplane feature simplified late war camouflage with large areas in light blue grey color with RLM 81 82 on topsides. Top fuselage in sole RLM 81 and lower wing area is partially natural metal and partially RLM 75.

02. Fw190D-9, W.Nr.211991, from Stab I./JG 6, Bayreuth-Bindlach, Germany May 1945. This sample feature pattern with dominant RLm76 color. This color is also on the top of the wings with the RLM 83 patches. Fuselage is in the RLM 82 and 83 colors with few mottles in RLM81.

03. Fw190D-13/R11, W.Nr.836017, from Stab /JG 26, Flensburg, Germany May 1945. There is opinion that pilot of this aircraft was Maj. Franz Götz. Lower side is in the RLM 76 while the bottom of the wings are in natural metal with front piece in the RLM 75. In first time RLM 76 was on the top of the wings but later this was overspray in dense mottle. Topside greens are RLM 81 and 82. Black and white band denote unit.

04. Fw190D-9, W.Nr.500570, from 8./JG6, Fürth-Atzenhof, Germany May 1945. Dominant color was blue green protective color widely used at the same and of the war. Topside of the wings are in the RLM 76 and RLM 81 while the topside of the fuselage are in the RLM 81 and 83 color. Bottom wings are in natural metal and RLM75 with main gear door in the same color.

05. Fw190D-D, W.Nr. 210051, presented as the image was taken at Bremen-Neuenlanderfeld. This airplane was deliver to the III./JG54 but further destiny is unknown. The same airplane wear very standard early camouflage where all of the underside and the fuselage sides are finished in the RLM 76 color with the top surface patches in RLM 75 and RLM 83 colors.

06. Fw190D-9, W.Nr. 211123, unknown original German unit. This airplane was captured by Soviet troops at the Marienburg in March 1945. Airplane wear late war simplified camouflage where the underside is combination of the RLM 75, 76 and natural metal areas with the fuselage sides in RLM 76 with possible spot of the late was grey green color in the rear section. Top side is known to have RLM 82 and 83 colors. Interesting to note that canopy framing is in the natural metal.

07. Fw190 V53, W.Nr.170003, DU+JC. This sample is first pre production prototype of the D-9 version. Camouflage is standard for the early type, RLM 75 and 83 on topside with the RLM76 at the bottom. As well this plane was under evaluation test it have few specific features as well additional small air intake on the starboard side of the engine cowling as well pair of cannons in the outer wing position. Of interest is the old style of the national insignia, very rarely used on the D version of the Fw190. Some panels are left in the natural color while also some areas seem to be in grey green color.

08. Fw190D-9, W.Nr.401392, from Stab/JG26, Flensburg, Germany May 1945. This was one of the Dora captured and evaluated by the US officials. Airplane coming with the lower wing front half in the RLM75 color and the rear part in the natural metal. Elevons are in the RLM76 color. Topside of wings are RLM76 and RLM 83 [possible] patches. Fuselage topside are in the RLM81 and 83 colors. Rear fuselage have well know black and white band, indicating of the JG26. Underside wing cross is simple plain black.

09. Fw190D-11, unknown Werk Numer, only first four digits are know 2200 but not the last two. Airplane is from the school unit Verbandsführerschule des G.d.j., at Bad Wörishofen. All know airplane from this unit feature RLM 82 and 83 camouflage color on top side of wings and fuselage and the RLM 76 at the bottom surfaces. Wing underside is partially RLM 75 and natural metal. Extension fuselage plug is also may to be in natural metal. Other feature is the white chevron and white spot on the spinner.

10. Fw190D-9, W.Nr.500636, possibly from I./JG2, Bayreuth-Bindlach, Germany May 1945. This sample feature very simplified camouflage pattern with large of areas cover with grey green color. Undersides of wings are in the RLM 75 and natural metal finish. Top wings and stabilizer are in RLM 76 base color with patches in RLM 81 color. Vertical rudder is in base RLM 76 color with mottle over it. Front fuselage is in the natural metal.

11. Fw190D-9, W.Nr. 600651, possibly from I./JG2, Straubing, Germanby May 1945. One of the sample delivered in the RLM 82 and 83 camouflage pattern. Underside color is the RLM 76 with half of the bottom wing in the natural metal. National markings are of interest. Plane has very dense mottle of the dark green paint over light and they are blend together and this plane almost looks like it has one paint over it.

12. Fw190D-9, unknown number, captured and used by Soviet Union. Basic camouflage might to be RLM 76 light blue with fuselage top side in RLM 81 and 82. Wings look very pale on top side so this suggests that top wings are also in RLM 76 color with possibly RLM 82 patches. Lower wings are in the RLM 75 at the front part while the rear half of wing bottom is in the natural metal. Soviets were overpaint area where was German national insignia with the standard dark blue color used for fighters. Star used on this sample is simple, with white border.

13. Fw190D-9, W.Nr. 600434, from 11./JG.2. This airplane have standard unit three color band, consisted of yellow-white-yellow colors. Camouflage is with the dominant RLM 76 on the underside and sides with the top side in mostly RLM83 color and some smaller areas in the RLM82. Rear part of the wing bottom is in the natural metal.

14. Fw190D-9, W.Nr. 500408, from 5./JG 301, at Bad Langensalza, May 1945 Germany. Airplane present mixture of the camouflage colors as was usual for the late war manufactured airplanes. Rear fuselage was in the grey green color while the front part is in the standard RLM 76 color. Underside of the wing are natural metal rear section and protective RLM 75 front part. Top side of the fuselage and wings are in the RLM 81 and 82 color, where the RLM 81 dominated over the fuselage. Rear yellow and red band denote the JG 301 unit. Vertical rudder is in the RLM 76 color.

Srecko Bradic

All graphic- LetLetLet Warplanes

The Hawker Sea Fury is a British fighter aircraft designed and manufactured by Hawker. Sea Fury’s development was formally initiated in 1943 in response to a wartime requirement of the RAF, thus the aircraft was initially named Fury. As the Second World War drew to a close, the RAF canceled their order for the aircraft; however, the Royal Navy saw the type as a suitable carrier aircraft to replace a range of increasingly obsolete or poorly suited aircraft being operated by the Fleet Air Arm. Development of the Sea Fury proceeded, and the type began entering operational service in 1947. The Sea Fury has many design similarities to Hawker’s preceding Tempest fighter, having originated from a requirement for a “Light Tempest Fighter”; both the Sea Fury’s wings and fuselage originate from the Tempest but were significantly modified. It was the last propeller-driven fighter to serve with the Royal Navy, and one of the fastest production single piston-engined aircraft ever built. Production Sea Furies were fitted with the powerful Bristol Centaurus engine, and armed with four wing-mounted Hispano V cannons. While originally developed as a pure aerial fighter aircraft, the definitive Sea Fury FB 11 was a fighter-bomber, the design having been found suitable for this mission as well. The Sea Fury proved to be a popular aircraft with a number of overseas militaries, and was used during the Korean War in the early 1950s, as well as against the 1961 Bay of Pigs Invasion of Cuba.

During its operational service, Sea Fury used few camouflage patterns. Prototype, SR661, had topside in Extra Dark Sea Grey and Dark Slate Grey while the bottom was in Yellow. National markings were Type C roundel on wings and Type C1 on fuselage, on vertical tail was Type C fin flash. Identical national insignia were used in first camouflage pattern, which consist on sole Extra Dark Sea Grey at top, with low demarcation line and Sky at bottom. Camouflage was later changed and demarcation lines between camouflage colors was in high position and national insignia was changed to Type D roundel in six positions and no fin flash. In similar fashion was marked two seat Sea Fury which was also in natural metal color, with yellow band on rear fuselage. During the Korea conflicts, Sea Fury had black and white stripes on wings and fuselage. Some of export Sea Fury were in natural metal, like Burmese and Egypt machines. Canadian Sea Fury have initially first camouflage pattern used by British machines and later was changed to high demarcation line camouflage where colors was also changed so at the top was Dark Grey and Light grey was at bottom and on fuselage sides. Desert camouflage pattern was used on machines in operational service of Iraq and Pakistan.

Srecko Bradic

All graphic by Team of LetLetLet Warplanes

The Fokker C.5 was introduced into service in 1925, and was still forming the backbone of reconnaissance units during the maydays of 1940. They were in action to monitor German advance, to strafe and bomb landed German Junkers transport aircraft, and to aid the groundforces during the desperate battle for the main Dutch defense line, the Grebbe linie.

The book is split in three chapters: ontwikkeling (development), which deals with the design and test period, the competition for Dutch and Dutch Indies orders and also with the technical description of the aeroplane.

The second part is gebruik (service), which deals with the purchases and early operations, the different military tactics (such as bombardment, tactical reconnaissance etc.), equipment and armament. The second part also focuses on the success during the Coupe Echard competition of August 1927 and the major modernisation scheme, during which the aircraft received more modern and powerful Rolls Royce Kestrel engines and various improved equipment.

Final part  is called “ondergang” (downfall) and tells the story about the mobilisation time and the war of May 10^th to May 14^th. During this war, no less then 52 aircraft were still in service, with 36 in front line service. Despite efforts to modernise and re-equip with more modern aircraft, the C.5 was still a very important aircraft. During the days of war, a lot of dangerous missions were flown, and the C.5 and the men who flew the machines, showed it simply could not be missed.

Title: Fokker C.5: Ontwikkeling, gebruik en ondergang

Author: Edwin Hoogschagen

Publisher: Violaero, part of Lanasta, the nautical publisher of Holland

ISBN 9789086160730

Hardcover, over 500 illustrations; both b/w and color, more then two dozen color profiles.

Price: EUR 36,95, P&P varies (at the publishers website)

Edwin Hoogschagen

Winner of the new pursuit plane contest was Seversky, who received a production order for their plane as the P-35. However, also the Model 75 was later ordered as a standard pursuit plane as the P-36. Although it was in fact already obsolete at the start of the Second World War it saw a quite extensive operational career, not only at the U.S. Army Air corps, but also at other countries like France, the Netherlands East Indies and the UK.

However, in this article, we shall only have a closer look at the lesser known variant with a fixed undercarriage.

Curtiss offered for export a simpler model as the Hawk 75H. Basically it had a lower rated Wright Cyclone engine and a non-retractable streamlined main undercarriage. It also lacked the characteristic extra cockpit side windows of the P-36 models, although these were fitted on some later export models! With its non-retractable undercarriage it was also somewhat lighter and easier to maintain than the P-36.This simplified Hawk 75H model had a larger range than its more powerful ‘sisterships’, but it’s maximum speed was some 50 km/h less than that of the standard P-36. Except for the Model 75H, other export versions with a non-retractable undercarriage were designated as Hawk 75M, N. O and Q.

Although this specific export version was produced in substantial lower numbers than the P-36, it was exported to various countries. When compared with the P-36, it hardly can be regarded as a great commercial success!

The Model 75 ‘Export’-Hawk was supplied to the following countries:

Argentina

Argentina bought 29 Hawk 75O’s, intended for rough-field operations and ease of maintenance. An additional 20 were licence-built by F.M.A. in Argentina in 1940. Also  the Curtiss Hawk 75H demonstrator NR1277 (c/n 12328) was eventually sold to Argentina.

Standard armament was one 11.35 mm and three 7.65 mm Madsen light machine guns. with provision for up to 10 bombs of 30 pounds each on underwing pylons. The last Argentinean Hawks remained in active service until November 1954, but some were kept airworthy until the early sixties.

Construction nos. of Curtiss supplied machines were 12769-12797. The Argentinean Hawks had the same extended cockpit glazing as the standard P-36.

China

The Hawk 75H demonstrator NR-1276 c/n 12327 was sold to the Chinese Nationalist government who presented it to Claire L. Chennault for personal use. China also received two similar demonstrators, the Hawk 75Q. One of these, c/n 12898, was later converted to have a retractable undercarriage. This plane was presented by Madame Chiang Kai-shek to General Claire Chennault. The other Hawk 75Q crashed at take-off on 5 May 1939.

The Hawk 75M was a similar version for China, built by both Curtiss and Central Aircraft Manufacturing Company in China. No. build: 112 ordered for China, but only 30 supplied by Curtiss (c/ns 12625-12654). Rest must have been manufactured by Central Aircraft Manufacturing Co. in China from tooling and kits delivered by Curtiss. The Hawk 75M was used operationally against Japanese forces and three full squadrons are known to have been operational.

Thailand

Twelve Hawk 75N,s were used by Siam (now Thailand) during the French-Thai War. They were supplied in 1938. Construction numbers were 12756-12767. They also fought at the Battle of Prachuab Khirikhan against Japanese forces during the Japanese Invasion of Thailand. Some of them must have been captured by the Japanese. A complete and restored Hawk 75N survives in the Royal Air Force Museum of Thailand at the military section of Bangkok airport.  The serial number is unknown, apparently even to the Thai!

An interesting development was that one of the Wright field based P-36’s ( with U.S.A.A.F. serial no.

38-180) was retro-fitted with a non-retractable undercarriage with snow skids. Further details are lacking, but at least there is photographic evidence of this interesting variant that was maybe tested under winter conditions at Ladd Field, Alaska!

Total production

Hawk 75H:        2 flown as demonstrator. One sold to Argentina, the other to China

Hawk 75M:       30 for China + 82 reported to have been locally licence manufactured

Hawk 75N:        12 for Siam

Hawk 75O:        29 for Argentina + 20 built locally under licence

Hawk 75Q:        2 flown as demonstrator for China

Total number manufactured including licence-built: 177 (75 supplied by Curtiss)

Websites on P-36

http://curtisshawk75.bravepages.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtiss_P-36_Hawk

http://www.warbirdforum.com/uncert.htm

http://www.argentinaoob.com.ar/Curtiss75.html

http://www.mincyt.cba.gov.ar/site/fabricamilitar/19271943/19271943_08q.html

Technical details Hawk 75M

General characteristics

• Crew: One
• Length: 28 ft 7 in (11.27 m)
• Wingspan: 37 ft 0 in (8.71 m)
• Height: 9 ft 3 in (2.81 m)
• Wing area: 236 ft² (21.92 m²)
• Empty weight: 3975 lb (1803 kg)
• Loaded weight: 5305 lb (2406 kg)
• Powerplant: 1× Wright GR-1820-G3 Cyclone air-cooled radial piston engine, 875hp
• Performances:
• Maximum speed: 280 mph (450.6 km/h) at 10,000 ft, 3048 m
• Cruise speed: 240 mph (386.2 km/h)
• Range: 1210 mi (1947 km) with fuel overload
• Service ceiling: 31,800 ft (9693 m)

Armament

As requested by customer, but typical was two 0.30 inch machine guns

Nico Braas

The book Fleet Air Arm Camouflage and markings by Stuart Lloyd covers an interesting period in history of FAA, just prior the beginning of WW II and the early period of War on Atlantic and Mediterranean Theatres. The book is published by Dalrymple & Verdun Publishing, with soft covers on 152 pages. The book beautifully combines B&W photos with color profiles and original Air Diagram’s reproduced in color. I believe that almost all significant FAA schemes are covered throughout this book, from different kind of experimental camouflage, different war schemes to the famous temperate sea scheme and Camouflage and markings by Aircraft type. Special attention is dedicated to the markings of the aircraft so throughout this period every carrier type ofcource had it’s own colors and (or) code letters painted on aircraft in its service, in order to simplify the identification.

This book is one of the best I’ve seen so far printed on this topic, so I can only hope that next volume of this book, which will hopefully cover period 1941 – 1945, will be published. This book is highly recommended.

Sample book provided by Bill Anderson from Dalrymple & Verdun publishing

Darko Mladenovic

The various book chapters give details on:

–All Fokker S-trainer types, including  the projects that were never built. In fact, detailed 3-view blueprint drawings on the un-built projects are here given for the first time.

-Genesis, early development and mock-up construction of the final S-14 with many unpublished details on the various design studies preceding the S-14.

-Early flight-testing of the S-14 prototype and developments on the international market. Possible licence construction in the U.S.A and Brazil, that was eventually never realized, is extensively discussed with many details never published before.

-Operational career of the Derwent-powered S-14 at the Koninklijke Luchtmacht. This includes a separate short chapter written by an ex-pilot who has flown almost a thousand hours on the S-14.

-Second life of the prototype as a general-purpose high-speed test plane at the Dutch Aeronautical and Space laboratories NLR. Also here many details never published before are given.

In the Annexes detailed blueprint drawings are given on all  S-14 variants and the preceding designs. There also is an extensive colour section with rare colour photographs and a number of highly detailed profiles (made by Srecko Bradic!).

Of course, I am not totally objective as the author, but I can only say it is a GREAT book fully worth its price!

Main text is in Dutch language with a very extensive multi-page summary in English. Photo and drawing descriptions and Annexes are bilingual in Dutch/English.

The book contains some 170 photographs,  including 70 from private sources that were never published before and an additional 60 blueprint drawings.

Book details:

Title:                      Fokker S-14 Machtrainer

Authors:              Nico Braas and Willem Vredeling

Type:                     Hardcover, A4 size on high-quality glossy paper

No. of pages:       200

ISBN no.:             978-90-804981-5-0

Publisher:             Geromy, Gageldijk 83 – Postbus 1040, 3602 AJ/3600 BA Maarssen, The Netherlands

Price:                     EURO 49.90 + P&P when ordered at http://www.geromybv.nl/

Fokker S-14 1/48 scale model kit:

Simultaneously with the book, Geromy has introduced a model kit at 1/48 scale of the production Derwent- powered model. Kit is made of resin with additional photo-etch material and a very detailed decal sheet for various Klu machines. Price is EURO 115 which seems pretty high, but only 150 kits were made, so if you want to buy one you’ll have to hurry!

Kit can, just like the book, be ordered at the Geromy website www.geromybv.nl.

Remark:

Next Geromy monograph book will be on the Fokker G-1. Introduction is scheduled for end-2009.

Nico Braas

Numerous discussions were held in the field of the camouflage of the Japanese camouflage system as well the paints used on. The bitter problem present the fact that many of the preserved samples of color are changed during the time and this is caused but the exposure to the wartime conditions, and chemical process inside the same material. In general is noted that quality of the Japanese paints are not so high so they are more sensitive. Various samples of the same color could not be the same. Other things which is also present the problem is the fact that manufacture of the paint was done in the facilities in south and north in Japan and aircraft manufacturer have its own supply from some of this factories and there is also know that paint, even if present the same color, are not look the same.

Most important find is when one well known researcher from Japan, Mr. R. Watanabe San, has discovered Kariki 117, industrial chart for colors, possibly dedicated for use in aviation. This covered number of chips of colors and many of them are confirmed and founded on preserved relics. This document Temporary Specification No.117 Additional Volume give following class of the colors:

A – Kasshoku (Browns)
B – Aka iro (Reds)
C – Ki iro (Yellows)
D – Midori iro (Greens)
E – Ao iro (Blues)
F – Ai iro (Indigos)
G – Sumire iro (violets)
H – Cha iro (browns)
I – Tsuchi iro (Earth, Mud)
J – Hai iro (Grays)
K – Kaiseishoku(gray-blues)
L – Nezumi iro (Grays, “Rats-color”)
M – Hairyokushoku (Gray-Greens)
N – Azuki iro (Browns, refers to a brown bean)
O – Shiro iro (whites)
P – Gin iro (Silvers)
Q – Kuro iro (Blacks)

Gallery bellow present this colors:

You can see original source on Mr. Watanabe San web site!

White Ensign have give match to this field and for a modeler they are made and deliver a number of the paints related to the Japan aviation in WW2. No matter that this field is still doubtful and every day something new is founded, color set made by White Ensign is very good and match all known info about the paint used for the Japan airplanes in WW2. Selected color show on the first images cover wide range of known camouflage and manufacturers. As already known this paints are excellent working properties and could be mixed with various thiner for enamels but from practice they perform the best when used with classic white spirit.

All right- maybe some paints are missing on this set done by White Ensign like dark blue for the interior but I am sure this set will be updated in regard to new findings and that new color will be add as soon as possible.

Srecko Bradic

Greatest thanks to the White Ensign who have provided a set of color for Japanese airplanes in WW2 for the used in this article. Preparation of this article would be impossible without great help and support of David Aiken, a Director: Pearl Harbor History Associates, Inc.

1. Development of the Hunter
2. The Hunter in British service
3. Export customers
4. The Hunter in action
5. Hunter camouflage and markings – Colour side views
6. Hunter walk-around
7. Modelling the Hunter

In six appendixes, additional details on the Hunter are given, both intended for the model builder and the aviation historian!

There are no less than thirteen pages of side views ranging from the first prototype WB188 as it flew in 1951 to an Indian air force F.56 in 1990. They were all made by Srecko Bradic (and that should be enough guarantee for their quality!).

Last but not least, there is at the end of this book a multi-page fold-out with very detailed line drawings! In short, this book is a real must for Hunter fans!

Book details:

Title: The Hawker Hunter – A comprehensive guide
Author: Paul Bradley
ISBN number: 0-9551858-9-0
Type: soft-cover A4, 128 pages + fold-out page
Publisher: SAM Publications, Media House, 21 Kingsway, Bedford MK42 9BJ, UK
www.sampublications.com
Price: £19.99 plus P&P

More info also here

Nico Braas

With thanks to SAM editor Neil Robinson for providing a review copy.