Aichi E16A1 Zuiun in 1/72 by Danilo Renzulli

It is a delight to present these images and notes of a painstaking build of the Fujimi Aichi E16A1 Zuiun kit in 1/72 scale by Danilo Renzulli, achieving a brilliant result. This was a partial reconstruction of the Fujimi kit released in 1998 that Danilo had purchased shortly afterwards. He began building the model in the early 2000s but halted the process mainly because there was a significant issue with the wings to fuselage joint and also due to lack of suitable reference documentation. However the basic assembly was there and so it remained for a long time . . . Danilo writes:- 

'Last summer I decided, along with other unfinished models, to give it a go - the model was almost completely dismantled and the interior fixed by squeezing in the resin cockpit assembly from the Special Hobby kit which I had recently purchased online. Plundering the SH kit was nearly a shame but that kit had some dimension problems in the cowling and front fuselage area so I decided to sacrifice it to have a decent representation in my Fujimi model. In the cockpit stub the machine gun housing was built from scratch with some plasticard, some other parts recovered from the spare parts stock, the instrument panel also from the SH kit's photo-etch sheet and the seatbelts from Eduard. Some adjustments were necessary to properly fix the resin stub into the fuselage halves - this done, the worst was behind me.

'Apart from the wings to fuselage gap, in general this is a nice kit that builds well into a model that captures the modern lines of this aircraft. The transparencies are very good with the interesting choice of open or closed canopy. The panel lines are a little overdone but  I left them as they were. 

'As for my latest models some details have been realized with the help of some telescopic brass tubes such as pitot tube, the float strut steps, a small ring under the rear fuselage, the aileron underwing hinges and each exhaust stack cut to the proper length and slightly pressed at the end to resemble the original. Some riveting was also added. Bomb racks again from the spare parts stock.

'The decals are from the Fujimi kit and camouflage was from a mix of Mr. Color paints. The navigation lights on the wing tips were cut (and sanded down) from toothbrush transparent handles. The weathering is the result of dry brushing and the use of a silver pencil along with some very soft sanding with water and extremely fine and well used sanding paper. My only concern is about the upper surface green which, in my opinion, should be a bit darker - Nick your opinion is welcome, of course!

'The finished model is presented sitting on its fine dolly as included in the kit but since I omitted to place sufficient weight in the floats I had to create a sort of diorama using the trestles provided in the Aoshima Ki-61/Ki-100 series kits. Then the model and trestles were fixed onto a piece of 3mm plywood with vinyl cement. I hope you enjoy it . . . '

Well I did, Danilo, including the green finish! And the kit's decals look good, well done Fujimi. With special thanks for sharing the images and notes of a very fine piece of work. And thank you for your patience awaiting their presentation here!

Image credit: All photos © 2025 Danilo Renzulli

381 Ku A5M Fighters at Tebrau, Malaya, 1945

Jacob Terlouw has very kindly shared this image of a pair of derelict 381 Ku A5M 'Claude' fighters photographed at Tebrau in Malaya post war. which comes from a very old Airfix magazine (issue date unfortunately unknown). Jacob confirmed the location with a nifty bit of detective work by comparing photos of the same aircraft offered on eBay. The Claude in the background, photographed from the front (below), reveals a small number '31' in white on the lower cowling lip, so these two are BI-31 and B1-32.

The B1 code was used by 381 Ku (13th Air Fleet, 10th Area Fleet) to designate fighters, whilst a B2 code was used to designate trainers. The latter is confirmed by a photo of a derelict K5Y 'Willow' at the same location with tail code B2-03. This means that however the two 'Claudes' were deployed operationally they were maintained as fighters and not as trainers. 381 Ku also operated A6M2-K trainers, A6M2 and A6M5 fighters and Raiden fighters from Singapore airfields. A model of A6M2 BI-12 made by Koh Tse Hsien of Singapore was shown at the blog here in August 2023. Tebrau is just north of Singapore on the Malaysian mainland. 

B1-32 appears to have a complete upper surface scheme of very chalked, matted and faded green (?) with no indication of anti-glare paint or apparently the usual blue-black cowling. The data plate and hinomaru border appear to be bare metal, perhaps from masking off before the camouflage paint was applied. The hinomaru on the upper wings appear to have their borders overpainted with a dark colour. B1-31 appears to have the remnants of a dark painted cowling where the camouflage has peeled away and both aircraft have broad yellow wing leading edge IFF strips. The prop blades have the twin yellow tip stripes so were probably dark brown, also show considerable wear. The spatted undercarriage appears to have been camouflaged with the upper surface paint. Note that the tail code for BI-32 has been applied level with the ground position rather than horizontal to the airframe line. These aircraft would be interesting to model in the context of their deployment and in schemes different from those usually associated with the type, with challenging opportunity to represent the wear and tear.

The 13th Air Fleet also had under command 936 Ku at Seletar, Singapore with 17 'Jake' and 7 'Pete', as well as the Malay Airfield Unit which controlled all IJNAF airfields in Malaya. 

With special thanks to Jacob for sharing these images.

Image credit: B1-32 Airfix Magazine via Jacon Terlouw; BI-31 eBay via Jacob Terlouw.

Meatballs and Dead Birds by James P Gallagher - A Memory by Mark Smith

This classic of aviation literature by James P Gallagher was first published in 1972 and re-published by Stackpole Books in 2004. It contains many gems of direct observation about the appearance of Japanese aircraft seen up close and personal by the author after the end of the war and came up in comments on the Vic Hobby paints blog. Aviation of Japan's Texas correspondent Mark Smith wrote a comment in response that was too interesting (and too long) to leave there so is blogged below instead. Mark agreed with reader Bellerophon in finding Gallagher's account convincing and wrote:-   

'I got to know (James Gallagher) late in his life, when he was living in Baltimore, and asked him again about it (the 'chocolate bar brown' Tony). The subject came up because I mentioned that a kit (or decal set, I forget) of Japanese origin had been issued with these markings, with instructions showing dark green upper surfaces, and around the same time one of my Japanese aviation books had a color illustration of the aircraft showing, again, a typical JAAF dark green.  He was emphatic in response: 'NO!  It was Hershey bar brown, and it stood out because it was so unusual.' For those who don't have 'Meatballs and Dead Birds', the chapter that features this photo is called 'An Unforgettable Japanese Warbird' and it has these lines: 'Having enjoyed the ususual opportunity of inspecting hundreds of Japanese military aircraft and/or their remains, I find there is one particular combat plane that stands foremost in my memory.' 

Hasegawa 1/72 box art 1987

'He greatly encouraged me in my work as a pastor in Pennsylvania and when I would call him occasionally, always seemed to be in good spirits.  I admired him, and his enthusiasm for so many subjects.  He was big on daily exercise and walking. Once when I asked how he was feeling, he said, 'Just fine, but I refereed a high school basketball game last night, and the muscles are sore.'  He was 74 at the time!  One morning I realized it had been many months since we talked, so called from my office, but someone else answered.  I had the right number, but I had waited too long.  He was gone at 82. He lived a very full life and according to him, his service with the 49th FG of Fifth Air Force was and always would be its highlight, and that service had pride of place in his obituary.  He 'lived on a lot of different islands' for those years. 

Hasegawa 1/72 box art 1993

'I had Shigeo Koike's 1/48 Hawegawa box art of the Shamrock Tony matted and framed and sent to him, around 1990, which showed the airplane climbing into bright sunlight, its essential color slippery but suggestive of Jim's notes, except with a yellow fuselage stripe instead of white.  He felt the painting was a confirmation of his observations.  In return he sent me a marvelous book of his original railroad photos, 'Trackside Maryland: From Railyard to Main Line', with a note saying he wanted to show me what he could do 'with a decent camera in my hand'.  It was a beautiful collection of the last days of steam trains, mostly of the Baltimore and Ohio - Jim had the artist's desire to capture history before it had vanished, the common theme of all his books. He said there was a lot of walking and waiting that didn't show in those photos. He did everything himself, and loved the magic of watching those negatives swim up in the tray, and occasionally reveal something just right. Admiring those crystal clear plates of trains in their working environment made me wish that the USAAF had utilized his talents to officially document the defeat of Japanese airpower. Who knows what he might have captured with merely an assigned jeep, plenty of film, and a quality camera. 

'His final book, published by Johns Hopkins Press, was 'With the Fifth Air Force: Photos From the Pacific Theater' and is also worth finding.  It contains by far his best writing. I know this is too long, but I wanted to remember him again, and especially for Aviation of Japan readers, people who would certainly appreciate him.  Against the day that someone will call your number, but someone else will answer.'  

With special thanks to Mark for sharing this memory. More on the 'chocolate bar brown' Tony to follow.

Image credit: Book cover © 1972  Jon-Jay Publishers; Box art © 1987 and 1993 Hasegawa Corporation 

Ki-100 in 1/32 by Harvey Low

Master modeller Harvey Low has kindly shared these images and details of his 1/32 scale Kawasaki Ki-100 conversion. The Ki-100 was officially designated Type 5 fighter - Go Shiki Sentoh-ki 五式戦闘機 abbreviated to Goshikisen. It was never allocated an Allied code name and was variously identified as other types in combat reports. The cartouche beneath the port tailplane is 迷彩塗料 mei sai nuri ryu  - illusion colouring paint material - e.g. camouflage paint, reportedly to indicate a flammable benzyl based paint, but possibly indicating that the aircraft had been painted at an Army depot rather than at the factory.  

Over to Harvey then:-

'Here is my 1/32 Ki-100, which was a kit-bash mating the Hasegawa wings and tail assembly, onto the fuselage of a Ki-100 conversion kit from Alley Cat. I completed this model in early 2024 while trying to 'beat' Zoukei-Mura to the 'finishing-line' as in 2022 they announced that they would release a Ki-100 (as of March 2025, there is still no release date).  

'The markings are for aircraft 'white 177' of the 2nd Chutai, 59th Sentai, based at Ashiya Air Base, Japan 1945. A single photo of this aircraft was taken at Ashiya airbase in 1945. This model reflects this aircraft as she might have appeared shortly before her capture by Allied Forces. 

'The full build details of this model can be purchased as an e-book via  Kevin Futter at KLP Publishing  

'My thanks to Nick Millman and Ronnie Olsthoorn for their invaluable assistance in the research colours.'

Harvey Low

Toronto, Canada

With special thanks to Harvey for sharing these images and details of a very fine model.

Image credit: All photos © 2025 Harvey Low

JAAF 'Late Colour' Paints & Scale Aviation Magazine Experimental and Projects Feature

Vic Hobby acrylic paints from Japan, reviewed here, have added a four bottle set of Imperial Japanese Army Colors (Late War) to their range. The accompanying notes on the paints are more towards 'Model Art' (Mr Nohara) than 'Gakken' (Mr Katabuchi) but may interest and intrigue for adventurous application to models. The cost of the set direct via HLJ is a modest £5.05. 

The following colours are included (with translated Vic Hobby notes):-

SP 036 Deep Blue (濃紺) There are various theories as no photographs of the actual aircraft have been confirmed, but this is a color that is said to have been used by units flying over the ocean. It is said to be a dark blue that matches the ocean.

SP 037 Dark Brown (暗褐色) It is said to have been a camouflage color applied to Imperial Japanese Army aircraft from the autumn of 1944 onwards. There are relatively many examples of its use in documents about the Type 4 Fighter Hayate. There are also documents that state that it was used on the Type 2 Toryu, a two-seater fighter.

SP 038 Dark Green (暗緑色) Some sources describe it as dark brown, but it is a much darker shade than the dark green. Some of the remaining aircraft at the base, photographed by the US military on color film after the war, are shown in a very dark dark green color. It is believed that it may have been used on some of the late production Hien and the Ki-100 fighter.

SP 039 Khaki (カーキー) There are documents showing that it was seen on the Hayabusa III in the latter half of 1944. Unlike the dark green, it is said to be the same color as that painted on tanks.

The pots are quite small but inexpensive and can be imported (to UK) safely without postal complications. The accompanying HLJ documentation makes it clear that the paints are water based and not 'dangerous goods'. (In the many decades that small tins of Humbrol enamels were posted throughout the UK and across the world were there ever any dangerous incidents?) 

Scale Aviation Magazine (Japan) March 2025

Blog readers with an interest in Japanese experimental and project aircraft might like to check out this magazine which features some stunning models of Japanese Army and Navy Experimental & Projected Aircraft in colour. The main colour features, with exceptional photography are:-

• Nakajima G5N2-L Experimental 13-Shi Attack Bomber Shinzan-kai 'Liz' - scratch built in 1/48 scale (!)
• Kyushu J7W1 Experimental 18-Shi Experimental Fighter - Hasegawa 1/48 scale
• Kyushu J7W1 Shinden-kai - modified from Hasegawa 1/48 scale
• Mitsubishi J8M Shûsui - - Fine Molds 1/48 scale
• Mitsubishi J8M Shûsui - Fine Molds 1/48 scale depicting the aircraft in unpainted state with wooden wings and tail fin
• Mitsubishi A7M Experimental 17-Shi Carrier Fighter Reppû 'Sam' - Fine Molds 1/48 scale
• Mitsubishi J7M Experimental 17-Shi Interceptor Fighter Senden 'Like' - MicroMir 1/72 scale
• Yokosuka R2Y Experimental 18-Shi Reconnaissance Aircraft Keiun - Fine Molds 1/72 scale
• Mitsubishi Ki-46 IV HQ Reconnaissance Plane Type 100 Dinah  - modified from Hasegawa 1/72 scale  Ki-46-III - stunning in pale blue-grey finish and includes build report with images

There follows 12 pages of black and white photos of an array of experimental and project models displayed at a Scale Aircraft Convention, some with imaginative and skilfully created dioramas. And finally more colour features of models:-

• Mitsubishi Ki-67 Type 4 Heavy Bomber 'Peggy' Prototype 2 - in 1/72 scale modified from Hasegawa Mitsubishi Ki-67 kit - beautifully achieved mottle
• Mitsubishi Experimental Interceptor Ki-109 - Microace (Arii formerly LS) in 1/72 scale - beautifully modelled in bare metal finish 
• Tachikawa Ki-94-II - RS Models in 1/72 scale
• Tachikawa Ki-94-I - Ushi Models (resin kit) in 1/72 scale
• Kawasaki Ki-88 - Raccoon Models (resin kit) in 1/48 scale 
• Mitsubishi Ki-83  - Special Hobby in 1/72 scale
• Nakajima Ki-87 -RS Models in 1/72 scale
• Nakajima Kikka-kai - Fine Molds in 1/48 scale
• Kawasaki Ki-78 - AZ Models in 1/72 scale
• Nakajima Ki-44 Shoki 'Tojo' Prototype - Hasegawa in 1/32 scale - excellently displayed in flight with pilot and 47 Dokuritsu Hiko Chutai 'brown' scheme
• Kawasaki Ki-60 - Planet Models (resin kit) in 1/48 scale - with build report

A veritable cornucopia of creative achievement which should wow and inspire. All text except for brief captions of aircraft type, kits used and names of the builders is in Japanese. 

Image credit: All Vic Hobby © 2025 via HLJ; © 2025 Scale Aviation Magazine (Japan) 

Fine Molds A6M5 in 1/48 by Dan Salamone

The Zero theme continues for a perennially popular aircraft type. Dan Salamone has been quick off the mark building the recently released Fine Molds IJN Carrier Fighter Zero Model 52 (Nakajima Production) in 1/48 scale  and has kindly shared his review of the kit, build report and images of his excellent finished model. Over to Dan then. 

'This is the 1/48 Fine Molds A6M5 Model 52 Zero (Nakajima), which was finished recently. The base is the older Eduard deck, painted a few years ago.

'The model features the usual very high quality moldings from Fine Molds, an instruction booklet that includes QR codes (which take you to short videos giving a visual explanation of how certain parts fit together) and a brief explanation of the differences between Mitsubishi and Nakajima produced airframes. The kit features some unique, but very precise and time saving engineering. The main example is the slide molded rear fuselage, which fits perfectly to the front fuselage halves, as well as the vertical tail//rudder and horizontal stabilizers. 

'The kit also includes two different styles of clear parts: the usual windshield/sliding portion/rear glass which needs to be masked before painting, as well as separate molded canopy frames with clear panel inserts. Finally, there are decals for a Junyo based aircraft, as well as one based in Saipan that was captured by U.S. forces. 

'I was eagerly awaiting this kit, and was thrilled when it arrived from Hobby Link Japan (currently both kits are showing as 'discontinued' there! Ed). I started the kit the following day, and can say that this is another superb effort from Fine Molds. The parts fit is excellent, the unique engineering cuts building time, and the fact that the kit is 100% styrene means there isn't the issue with tiny photo etched parts, or warped resin/etched flaps. My only changes were using a 3D printed decal for the pilot's harness and tail codes from Lifelike Decals set 48-063 as I wanted to build an aircraft flown from IJN Zuikaku, and finally used metal gun barrels from Master.

'Tamiya paints were used throughout this kit. The interior color was a custom mix not far off from U.S. olive drab, the lower surfaces are XF-76 Gray Green (IJN), cloth surfaces a mix starting with XF-20, Medium Gray. The upper surface dark green is Tamiya XF-70 Dark Green 2 (IJN), and finally XF-69 NATO Black for the cowling. Weathering was kept to a minimum as the images of carrier borne Model 52's from late summer/early fall of 1944 show well maintained and glossy aircraft.

'The combination of kit decals with tail codes from Lifelike were flawless. I like to use Gunze spray can clear coats as they dry quickly and also dry very hard.

'If I would change one thing on this model, it would be using the 'old style' clear canopy parts. I commend Fine Molds for their bold engineering choices, but the separate frames are very fragile to handle, and building these sub assemblies requires extra care and attention. In my opinion the time spent masking regular clear parts would result in a better looking model.

'A few years ago, I started building the new tool Eduard Model 21. I found it to be such a frustrating build process that eventually I threw it away. The Eduard kits are over engineered, such as the multiple part cowl, the tiny and imprecise cockpit location points. My copy of the kit and resin parts featured poor quality control - the 3D printed separate landing flaps warped almost immediately after removal from their runners. In contrast, this Fine Molds kit is designed to save time, enhance detail, and practically every single sub assembly locks into place. The engine appears to be very complex, but upon assembly, the separate exhaust stacks lock into place and give the overall assembly strength and integrity.

'Now hoping for a Model 21 and Model 22 from Fine Molds as well. Buy this kit with confidence and enjoy!'

With special thanks to Dan for sharing these details and images of his superb A6M5 model.

Image credit: Kit box © Fine Molds via Dan Salamone; Accessories © Master and Lifelike Decals; All model photos © 2025 Dan Salamone