Alternative Usmc Korea Aircraft

[Daryl J.]

The premis:  The US immediately looked to Korea as the next site of action with the conclusion of WW-II.    In order to save money to develop more advanced aircraft, spur the reconstruction of Japan, and revitalise the economy of both Japan and the US, extant Japanese airframes were to be refurbished with Alcoa aluminum from Portland, and extant engine designs were given to Packard and Allison for manufacture.

Historical moment:  A somewhat known fact around PDX was the loathing certain aluminium manufacturer, uh, personell had for the Japanese prior to WW-II.  The premis above inserts a humanitarian change for the better although post war.  

It also puts recycling much more to the fore some 60 years earlier.

Thusly:  
    The A6M5c was refurbished into the A6M9us sporting a fine-tuned Packard-Sakae engine spinning a modified Curtiss Electric 3 blade prop, strategic scabbed on pilot armor, was degunned save for the 20mm wing cannon to save weight added elsewhere, and had an extended midline drop tank featuring a forward down-facing reconnaisance camera.    The rear fuselage had one sideways facing camera with twin ports. Wing tips were extended slightly again, this time to 13m for extra handling at altitude.  It was utilized by the USMC in a forward recon role until approximately 1952 and sported overall Gloss Sea Blue save for a true gloss black cowling.  Spinner and engine ductwork changes completed the visible distinction.  Forty nine were fabricated; they served whenever, whereever, and with anyone noncom.

    The Ki-46-III received updated Allison produced engines, some armoring for the pilot, and were fully navalized including launching and landing hookware,  weatherproofing, upgraded landing gear, and American radios.   Again, these were sprayed overall Gloss Sea Blue but had white leading edges.  A total of sixteen were put to service.

    The land-based hack was a properly suspended Ki-115 with a better engine and was known as the Neurotic Macattack.  In a rare breech of usual protocol, the airframes were given a Gloss Sea Blue finish with white dazzle finish. Rusting prematurely ended service life.  However, no landing gear were known to have fallen off.    

:ar:  :ar:  :ar: ,
Daryl J., with his first backstory.  

PS: The Zero and Ki-46 may actually get built, one a Hasegawa kit, the other Tamiya's.





     

[upnorth]

How about some rebuilt "Betty" bombers with the "Okah" bomb bay conversion?

Rebuild a select few Betties with armoured, self sealing fuel tanks. Remove most of the guns and put in a radar for night infiltrator missions.

Of course they would be painted all black with red codes. The Okah suicide aircraft would have the cockpit designed out and replaced with a remote control guidance system.

[Geoff]

Francis (Ginga) nightfighters.
They already had centimetric radar in the nose and Scharrage Muzik oblique firing guns.
Add improved radar and fuels and forward firing guns?

[Daryl J.]

Oh yeah!    Neato; those hadn't even crossed the mind.

Is there a Cherry Blossom in 1/48?    The Tamiya Betty showed up in Yon Householde after a fantastic Squadron sale made it affordable but was never built due to not wanting a big green cigar in my home.  GSB?  That would be great.  And do I ever wish the Francis were available in 1/48 scale.



Daryl J.