V-315 was flown by a wingman of carrier Akagi
V-315 and V-317 photo #1.
V-315 and V-317 were flown by wingmen of carrier Akagi.
V-317 was flown by a wingman of carrier Akagi.
V-318 was flown by a wingman of carrier Akagi.
V-318 and V-322 photo #1
V-322 was flown by a wingman of carrier Akagi.
This photo shows planes V-315, -317, -318, -322 and -323 https://blog.goo.ne.jp/summer-ochibo/e/8ab0a451109ef757fb7e8969511f2ec4
V-323 was flown by a wingman of carrier Akagi.
One Soryu's B5N1 taking off carrying bombs.
PHOTO CREDIT: FAOW - Famous Airplanes of the World - B5N "Kate", number 32, page 27, January 1992,
by Bunrin Do Company.
W-323 was flown by a wingman of carrier Soryu.
As part of the 2nd Carrier Division Soryu supported Japanese landing operations in Kwangsi November, 1939.
Soryu and Hiryu of Carrier Division 2, along with Destroyer Squadron 1, seaplane carriers Kamikawa Maru and
Chiyodo formed the Escort Group N. This group provided escort for Japanese Army transports sailing on
November, 13, 1939 from Sanya on Hainan Island to the coast of Kwangsi. The Chinese put up fierce resistance,
deploying elite army units as well as tanks and aircraft to meet this threat to their supply route from the south.
IJNAF aircraft was said to have provided vital support for Japanese Army troops during the landing operations.
INFO CREDIT: Raymond Cheung.
W-323 photo #1
W-323 was flown by a wingman of carrier Soryu, China war, 1939. This aerial view taken in Spring 1939 shows SORYU
during naval exercises with one of her Nakajima B5N1 (Kate) Type 97 torpedo bombers entering the landing pattern.
The Kate's wheels are down and tail-hook extended. The wing of the photographer's plane can be seen at bottom left
corner. Note that the undercarriage position visual indicator on the wing is up.
INFO CREDIT: book KOJINSHA # 6, english translation by Allan Parry.
W-326 was flown by a wingman of carrier Soryu.
W-326 photo - China War
The Nakajima B5N1 type 97 torpedo bomber code named "Kate" by the allied forces, was the Japanese navy's first all metal,
single engined, low wing monoplane designed for carrier operations. Up until the introduction of the type 97, this type of Naval aircraft
were cloth covered bi-plane design upgrades from WW1. The type 97 brought the Japanese carrier borne bomber fleet up to world standards.
With retractable landing gear and constant speed propellers, they are state of the art for the times.
The type 97 was produced in two model. Both models #1 and #3 were to have powered by the Sakae engine. However, due to Sakae engine development failing behind schedule, the Nakajima Hikari type 3 engine was used instead in the type 97 model 1.
The type 3 Nakajima engine was greater in diameter than the Sakae, causing an enlargement of the aircraft's nose diameter to accept it.
This bulbous nose is the most distinguishing external feature of the type 97 model 1 attack bomber. The first flight was January 1937.
Hasegawa box art of W-326
It was first delivered to Tateyama Squadron in 1938 for training and operational testing. In September 1938 replaced the type 96 (B4Y1) attack bombers of the 12th and 14th squadrons and initially used in mainland China. DATA: Crew: 3, length: 10.3m, Wingspan: 15.518m, Height: 3.7m, Horsepower: 830hp, maximum speed: 368km/h, Weapons: one 7.7mm machine gun, one 800kg torpedo, six 60kg bombs or two 250kg bombs. INFO CREDIT: Hasegawa B5N1 model kit scale 1.72 #NP12 "China War" - Decals for W-326, aircraft carrier Soryu flying group, and 9-349, Naval 14th Flying Group - China 1939. This model kit has 6 bombs of 60kg or one 800kg torpedo as external weapons.
W-329 was flown by a wingman of carrier Soryu.
Early type 97 model 1 from the Soryu Air Group were coded with a 'W' until 1940.
W-329 photo #1
W-329 is a Type 1 from the Soryu about 1940.
PHOTO CREDIT: FAOW - Famous Airplanes of the World - B5N "Kate", number 32, January 1992, by Bunrindo Company.
K-101 was flown by a wingman of carrier Kaga, Kasanohara air base, Kyushu, Japan, October, 1939.
COLOR PROFILE BASE: one photo of the book SAMOURAI SUR PORTE-AVIONS, Les groups embarqués Japonais et leurs porte-avions,
1922-1944, page 71, by Michel Ledet.
K-103 was flown by a wingman of carrier Kaga, Kasanohara air base, Kyushu, Japan, October, 1939.
COLOR PROFILE BASE: one photo of the book SAMOURAI SUR PORTE-AVIONS, Les groups embarqués Japonais et leurs porte-avions,
1922-1944, page 71, by Michel Ledet.
W-102 was flown by PO1c Matsuo Hagiri, IJN carrier Soryu, 1939.
This photo shows "W-102", flown by PO1c Matsuo HAGIRI from IJN carrier Soryu, November 1939.
He was famous for the moustache he wore.
PHOTO CREDIT:
http://blog.goo.ne.jp/summer-ochibo
A5M4 box art #1
Box art of Fujimi's model kit of A5M4, scale1.72.
W-102 box art #2
W-102 box art #3
Special hobby A5M2 model kit - scale 1/32.
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