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)