Blue tail Ki-61 Tony: Did it actually exist?

[Chriss7607]

I have a question for the ARC community that knows a lot about WWII Japanese aircraft.

 

Years ago, my Dad did a 1/48 Ki-61 Tony based on a color profile from a book. It was similar to the popular paint scheme of the one allegedly flown by Lt. Kobayashi but had a blue tail instead of red. Was there ever a unit that flew the Ki-61 in these markings, or is this just another example of errenous photo interpretation? I did a Google search but it didn't turn up much more than I already know. I have the Hasegawa model and would like to to do the one with the blue tail, but if it is historically inaccurate I have other options in mind.

 

Thanks for the help!

[racerman]

Your Dad says to just paint it blue!!

 

[Mr.Happy]

Chriss,

 

I am no expert but going through my FAW #17 1989 I didn’t see any thing that showed that there were any Tony’s with a blue tail.

 

I could not find any thing that showed that were any blue tailed Tony’s in The **** Mechanic #37 1982 11

 

This doesn’t mean that there weren’t.

 

Your best bet it to try the J-Aircraft.com web site.

 

Best of luck,

 

Mr. Happy
 

 

[GW8345]

In my meager WWII Japanese reference library I found three books that have a color profile of a blue tail KI-61, they are;

 

Japanese Army Air Force Camouflage and Markings World War II by Donald W. Thorpe, Aero Publishers Inc copyright 1968

         Page 131 - Color Profile 63 - Tony, 244th Fighter AD Sentai, HQ Chutai  Chofu, Japan 1945

         color is given as "A24 Medium Blue"

 

Japanese Aircraft of World War II 1937-1945 by Thomas Newdick, Amber Books, copyright 2017, page 47

         States aircraft is a Ki-61-Ic of the Headquarters flight of the 244th Sentai, a home defense unit

 

Japanese Army Fighters Part 1 by William Green and Gordon Swanborough, Arco Publishing Company, copyright 1977

         Page 54 - Profile is of - Ki-61KAI-Hei of the HQ Chutai, 244th  Sentai, at Chofu, Tokyo, winter 1944-45

 

hth

GW

 

[Mr.Happy]

GW8345,

 

Good job on your field work and saving the day

 

Unfortunately I could not find any thing else in my copy of Peter Scott’s, Emblems Of The Rising Sun (Imperial Japanese Army Air Force Unit Markings) ISBN: 1-902109-55-4

 

This what’s it all about, trying to help our fellow modelers.

 

BTW: Thanks for listing your references.

 

Mr.Happy

[GW8345]

On 10/22/2020 at 7:22 PM, Mr.Happy said:

GW8345,

 

Good job on your field work and saving the day

 

Unfortunately I could not find any thing else in my copy of Peter Scott’s, Emblems Of The Rising Sun (Imperial Japanese Army Air Force Unit Markings) ISBN: 1-902109-55-4

 

This what’s it all about, trying to help our fellow modelers.

 

BTW: Thanks for listing your references.

 

Mr.Happy

Yep, got that book too and looked in it, nothing in there about a blue tailed KI-61.

 

I also have "Fighters of the Imperial Japanese Army 1939-1945"  by Eduardo Cea and it states for the majority of Sentai Hombu (Headquarter squadron) the color was blue so there may be some validity to a KI-61 having a blue tail.

 

One would have to research more to find a definitive answer, I know just enough to be dangerous (researching Japanese markings gives me a headache).

 

Edited October 25, 2020 by GW8345

[Mr.Happy]

Lol, 

 

The research can be exhausting but fun too.

 

Take care,

 

Mr. Happy 

 

 

[Chris L]

I can't verify the blue tail but from my reading , the blue markings  have always been said to signify the headquarter squadron . 
Cheers, Christian

[Chriss7607]

Thanks for the replies! I was beginning to get worried that no one would have any leads. Since it seemes to have at least been likely to have existed, I'll go ahead and do it as planned. Thanks again.