July 2015
Kawanishi N1K2-
Republic P-
Selected WW2 70th Anniversaries this month:
Between 2009 and 2015, I have set myself a general modelling theme based on selected 70th Anniversaries from WW2.
WW2 approaches its bloody climax. Conventional and fire bombing of the Japanese mainland intensifies as the Japanese prepare to repel the anticipated invasion. Mid way through the month, in the New Mexico desert, Allied scientists succeed in changing the face of modern warfare.
"I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds." Verse from the Hindu Holy Book, Bhagavad Gita,
quoted by J Robert Oppenheimer, head of the Manhattan Atomic Bomb Project
1 Jul -
4 Jul – The Phillipines are now fully liberated
10 Jul – Allied naval aircraft are now able to attack Tokyo directly In Burma, the Japanese Army fails in an attempt to breakout of British encirclement at the Battle of the Sittang Bend. With over 14,000 Japanese casualties, against less than 100 British losses, it is the last major land battle of WW2.
16 Jul – Trinity – The first detonation of a nuclear weapon takes place in New Mexico.
26 Jul – The Labour party win the British General Election and wartime leader Winston Churchill is replaced as Prime Minister by Clement Atlee, with a promise to build a better future from the ashes of Britain and Europe.
Kawanishi N1K2-
Allied reporting name: “George”
343rd Naval Air Group, 301st Squadron, Imperial Japanese Navy, July 1945
Aircraft of Lt. Naoshi Kanno, IJN
Hasegawa 1/72
www.gengriz.co.uk
Background Image: P-
Rather like last month’s Betty, the is also an older Hasegawa kit, but this also one of their very first to feature engraved panel lines and exquisite detail, whilst retaining the high levels of buildability that have long been a Hasegawa trademark. Despite its age, this remains a state of the art kit, and is widely recognised as the best George kit in this scale. Decals cover two aircraft from the 343rd , both Squadron commander’s aircraft.
Purchased earlier this month at the Midland Air Museum’s model show, there is little
to report in building -
The Shinden-
By early 1945, the IJN had already lost most of its most capable pilots and all of its aircraft carriers. Those remaining were gathered in elite units equipped with the latest equipment, including the 343rd Kokutai commanded by Minori Genda, architect of the Pearl Harbor attacks.
The 343rd was the main user of the “George”. Despite an impressive combat record and undoubted qualities of its pilots and aircraft, unit losses could no longer be replaced; with overwhelming losses, the 343rd was withdrawn from combat and finally disbanded on 14th August 1945.
An RAF Thunderbolt II of 30 Sqn RAF taxying at Jumchar in 1945 ©IWM TR2637
In may ways, the P-
Intended as a high altitude fighter, it was equally capable as a low level ground
attack aircraft, a role in which the RAF used over 700 Thunderbolts of several variants.,
mainly in Burma and India. By mid 1945 it was being widely replaced in US service
by P-
The subject of this model is the mount of Sqn Ldr L CC Hawkins of 135 Sqn RAF
As a rather striking contrast to the excellent Hasegawa kit of the George, this is
a very old FROG kit, first issued in 1959. Mine is one of the 1968-
After a little work, it certainly looks adequate, although I would not wish to sit it alongside a more accurate kit. One for the collectors I think!
Have a look at my Adversaries pages for more Japanese WW2 Aircraft models
Have a look at my Friends & Allies pages for more RAF Aircraft models