Japanese Forts

[Paperwarrior]

As anyone else seen the July 2010 issue of Aviation History?
There is a 6 page article about 3 B-17s that Japan captured and flew.
The lead photo shows 2xB-17E and 1xB-17D flying past Mount Fuji.
It is a pretty good article by Robert C. Mikesh. He covers the Forts from the time they were built from parts after American forces retreated in the early stages of WWII to their testing by the Japanese and their mysterious disappearance at the end of the war. He mentions also that American recon photos show the bombers on a Japanese airfield, but they were never IDed as B-17s.
During evaluations of the B-17s, according to the article, the Japanese liked the turbosupercharger but were unable to duplicate it. They also liked the fire control systems. However, when it came to "the Norden Bomb sight, both the Imperial Army and Navy found that the stabilization method in their own bomb sight was superior to that of the Norden instrument".

Interesting article...and might be an interesting new model repaint.

[hawkman67]

I wonder if they retained their original colors, and if a clear good sized pic of the tail emblem is to be had, is a simple repaint, would be a lot easier than the last one I just completed "My Gal Ellen" was an interesting repaint. This one though would be as easy as the Captured one the German's used on "secret" missions, before if was turned over to KG-200. I have already stared modding the FG kit parts to make E and F models.
Jeff

[cafe]

Originally Posted by hawkman67

I wonder if they retained their original colors, and if a clear good sized pic of the tail emblem is to be had,

The emblem is from the Koku Gijutsu Kenkyujo (Air Technical Research Laboratory).

The page for this decal set of captured western aircraft in japanese service has small profiles (including a B-17) : ZOO_A

a page with some photos: http://www.j-aircraft.com/captured/c...ptured_b17.htm

[hawkman67]

Well looks like I'll be doing another FG B-17 repaint/mod. found an
excellent pic of the marking on the tail of the captured B-17 and others, Just have to finish the window mods.
Jeff

[Paperwarrior]

There is a color photo in the article in the July 2010 copy of Aviation History. I'll see if I can get it scanned in. All it shows is the front port side of the B-17E. The colors look "original" (OD) with gray (?) underside.

Cafe, those were some great pics. Thank you.

Hawkman, I look forward to your repaint. ...interesting subject to be sure.

Jeff

[hawkman67]

If you can scan the pic cool, can use a good nose shot of the E model, I have the new nose piece, and can rework another turret into the smaller flatish one on the E and early F's. Add some more smaller windows up front for the E, and recoloring all around, the colors the orginal FG model is waay too light of green. The color profile pic found makes it look like it was repainted into Jap Army colors, including the yellow leading edge stripe.
Jeff

[Paperwarrior]

Here is the color picture in the article.

[hawkman67]

Cool pic, thanks for scanning it in. love seeing period photos!
Jeff