Markings for A6M5 Zero Type 52a 1/48

COL A

Lt Toshihide Kihara, Tsukuba Kōkūtai, Japan, February 1945

In November 1944, Tsukuba Kōkūtai training unit assigned experienced instructors to form a fighter squadron equipped with Zero and Shiden aircraft. This squadron engaged in combat with B-29 bombers and US carrier-based aircraft as early as January and February 1945. Tsukuba Kōkūtai pilots clashed with US Navy pilots during raids on the Kantō region on February 16 and 17. Despite losing 14 aircraft, the Japanese pilots claimed 11 American planes shot down during the two days. In a similar engagement on February 25, Tsukuba Kōkūtai lost eight aircraft but claimed five victories. After the battle, only nine of its fighters remained operational. The aircraft marked Tsu-58 was flown by a member of the fighter unit, Lt. Toshihide Kihara. On February 17, 1945, he claimed a Hellcat with this plane. At the end of March, Tsukuba Kōkūtai received orders to form its own Kamikaze units, which were deployed during Operation Kikusui in the defense of Okinawa. A history of this unit, written by Yasutaka Yoshino, was published by Dai Nippon Kaiga.

COL B

Kōkūtai 343, Guam Island, June 1944

Aircraft 43-136 of the 343rd Kōkūtai was found damaged at one of Guam’s airfields following the island’s capture, its camouflage finish showing considerable wear. The photograph used to reconstruct the aircraft’s appearance was provided by Rising Decals. The aircraft was probably built by Mitsubishi and carried a command marking of three horizontal yellow stripes on its tail surfaces. It may have been the personal aircraft of Lt. Shinya Ozaki, commander of the Hikōtai (flying unit) within the 343rd Kōkūtai. Ozaki was a graduate of the 68th Class of the Naval Academy and had originally qualified as a floatplane-fighter pilot. He died of wounds sustained in aerial combat on June 19, 1944 while flying aircraft 43-188 (see kit no. 82216). Ozaki was posthumously promoted by two ranks to Lieutenant Commander. His father was Captain Chikara Ozaki, a graduate of the 39th Class of the Naval Academy, while his elder brother Mitsutoshi served in the JASDF after the war.

COL C

Kōkūtai 343, Guam Island, June 1944

Aircraft 43-118 of the 343rd Kōkūtai was found damaged at one of Guam’s airfields following the island’s capture. Built by Mitsubishi, the aircraft carried white-painted wingtips applied on unit level. The 343rd Kōkūtai was formed at Kagoshima in January 1944 with combat name Hayabusa Butai and was originally intended to operate the Shiden (George) fighter planes. Instead, it received Zeroes and began combat operations in the Marianas in March 1944. During June, the unit took part in the defence of Palau, Tinian, Guam and Yap. After suffering heavy losses, the 343rd Kōkūtai was disbanded in early July 1944. A second unit bearing the designation 343rd Kōkūtai was formed in December 1944 and became a legendary elite formation equipped with Shiden fighters.

COL D

Hikōtai 165, Kōkūtai 653, Ōita base, Japan, September 1944

This Mitsubishi manufactured aircraft was assigned to Kōkūtai 653, which was established in February 1944. The layout of camouflage color fields was characteristic of aircraft produced by Mitsubishi. Kōkūtai 653 participated in the Battle of the Philippine Sea in June 1944 aboard the carriers Chitose, Chiyoda, and Zuihō, most of its armament consisted of A6M2 Type 21 fighter-bombers. Out of the nine carrier squadron commanders, only one survived. After the battle, Kōkūtai 653 was reorganized into four Hikōtai. Lt. Kenji Nakagawa led Hikōtai 164 and 165 with 48 A6M5 fighters each. Lt. Tetsuo Endō led 48 A6M fighter-bombers of Hikōtai 166 while bombers were assigned to Hikōtai 263. In the fall of 1944, Kōkūtai 653 suffered 50% losses in the defense of Taiwan. Part of Hikōtai 166 aircraft was deployed from aircraft carriers in October 1944 during the Battle off Cape Engaño in the defense of the Philippines. The Kōkūtai was disbanded on November 15, 1944.