B-17’s of Japan

Former 19th Bomb Group B-17D that was pieced together from several damaged birds abandoned by the US in the Philippines. Alongside are a pair of other captured aircraft: A Brewster Buffalo from the Netherlands, and a U.S. P-40 Warhawk.

B-17E taken as a prize in Java. Interestingly, the photo was taken from what I believe is the B-17D in the previous picture.

The 零式艦上戦闘機 of the US Navy

The “零式艦上戦闘機” (or, “rei-shiki-kanjō-sentōki”) is better known to the rest of the world as the Mitsubishi Zero. The first image is the intact Zero brought back from the Aleutian Islands in 1942. It is seen here at NAS North Island in that same year. The second image is of what I assume to be a different aircraft some six or seven years later at NAS Whidbey Island.

I was quite surprised to find this photo showing a Zero still around well after the war. It is at least 1948: There are P2V Neptunes in the background as well as an R5D coded “RS” of VR-5. That tail code entered service in 1948.

Japanese aircraft of WWII

A mixture of Mitsubishi’s, Kawasaki’s, Kawanishi’s, etc.

Kawasaki Ki-61

The Ki-61 was a solid performer, but was not built in great numbers. Good looking aircraft.

Ki-45 Toryu

Known on the Allied side as “Nick”, the Ki-45 was a speedy and versatile aircraft. The name “Nick” is nowhere near as imaginative as the aircraft’s Japanese name: “Toryu” (“Dragon Slayer”).

Kawasaki Ki-60

Here are every Kawasaki Ki-60 that was ever built. Despite its rather pleasing appearance, the Ki-60 was plagued by difficulties and poor performance. However, it did lead to the more successful Ki-61.