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World War II: Japan
Aircraft of Japan in WWII.
Hosted by Rowan Baylis
Imperial Japanese Navy Firecrackers
confused
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South Australia, Australia
Joined: October 22, 2011
KitMaker: 23 posts
AeroScale: 17 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 25, 2012 - 07:24 PM UTC
I have an early model of a Japanese "Kate" level/torpedo bomber ( a Mania kit, I think, before the Hasegawa brand name was adopted?) I'd like to build the kit as the option belonging to Commander Fuchida, for whom I've always had a sneaking admiration- despite his leading an attack on my country (at Darwin)!! However at Pearl Harbor and Darwin, Fuchida carried 1,000 pounders . and the kit only offers a Long Lance Torpedo.
Is there an aftermarket company that makes WW2 Japanese ordnance as my scratch building skills are zilch?
GVoakes
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Manitoba, Canada
Joined: September 04, 2007
KitMaker: 193 posts
AeroScale: 32 posts
Posted: Wednesday, December 26, 2012 - 06:15 AM UTC
Short answer - no (at least nothing I've come across). Hasegawa did the Kate with the 1,000 lb bomb (as well as in Fuchida's markings), but I've never seen any aftermarket Japanese ordnance.

Your best bet might be try trading the Long Lance to someone who wants to buld the torpedo version in return for their 1,000 lb bomb and the shackles.
JPTRR
Staff MemberManaging Editor
RAILROAD MODELING
#051
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Tennessee, United States
Joined: December 21, 2002
KitMaker: 7,772 posts
AeroScale: 3,175 posts
Posted: Tuesday, January 08, 2013 - 05:03 PM UTC
Shane,

I'll look around in my spares box for one. If you don't hear back from me in a week, PM me and jog my memory.

A comment: Kates at Pearl were armed with 800 kg (1760 lb) armor piercing bombs converted from battleship shells. IIRC only a handful were made and they didn't work well. I have no idea if any were used at Darwin.

This is an impressive article on the bombs used at Pearl Harbor: http://www.j-aircraft.com/research/bill_sanborn/phmod21.pdf

Here's a photo from Oct 1945 of 500KG bombs at Rabual:
http://www.fold3.com/image/#46947370
JPTRR
Staff MemberManaging Editor
RAILROAD MODELING
#051
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Tennessee, United States
Joined: December 21, 2002
KitMaker: 7,772 posts
AeroScale: 3,175 posts
Posted: Tuesday, January 08, 2013 - 05:08 PM UTC
Also, here's a place to post for parts -- whether seeking or offering:

"Official" Parts Yard
tinbanger
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Ontario, Canada
Joined: February 04, 2008
KitMaker: 2,507 posts
AeroScale: 1,814 posts
Posted: Wednesday, January 09, 2013 - 10:49 AM UTC
Thank you Frederick for posting links, just in time for me to paint my Val kit review bombs!
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