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Japanese "Jake" photo: ID sought

Tue Jan 17, 2012 11:02 pm

I found this image of what appears to be one of the T-6/BT-13 Kates from the film "Tora, Tora, Tora".
It looks as though it has been modified to appear as a replica "Jake" scout plane.

Image

I found it on this website:
http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/lofi ... 47563.html
But they didn't have much info on the photo.
I'm wondering if it was one of the three Kates made in Japan for the film.
Any ideas?
Jerry
Last edited by Jerry O'Neill on Tue Jan 17, 2012 11:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Re: Tora "Kate" replica photo: ID needed

Tue Jan 17, 2012 11:21 pm

That's actually the real deal (an Aichi E13A "Jake" recon floatplane.) I got a couple of reference books on Japanese aircraft featuring that pic. I think it's postwar Japan, but it could also be on some captured island.

SN

Re: Tora "Kate" replica photo: ID needed

Tue Jan 17, 2012 11:37 pm

The more I look at the photo, the more I think you are right. Wing/flap are wrong for a T-6 and the rear fuselage doesn't look like the BT-13/T-6 area on the Tora birds.
If it's a real Jake, I love to know if it's still around.
Jerry

Re: Japanese "Jake" photo: ID sought

Tue Jan 17, 2012 11:50 pm

That is not a T-6. Really would like to know more about it. :drink3:

Re: Japanese "Jake" photo: ID sought

Thu Jan 19, 2012 7:39 am

that thing looks like the real deal!!! i probably have an original silhouette i.d. poster of the jake. just let me know. i have hundreds of original i.d. posters & glass slides!!!

Re: Japanese "Jake" photo: ID sought

Fri Jan 20, 2012 8:33 am

Unfortunately I'm sure it's long gone. Almost all surviving aircraft in the Home Islands were quickly destroyed by Allied Occupation Forces.
I found the same photo in one of my references (Japanese Aircraft of WWII In Color, Revi Publications 2006.) The caption reads:

Fine shot of an abandoned "Jake," possibly belonging to Kokutai 453 (white tailcode could read as KEC-23 or 73.) This unit was one of three Kokutais subordinated to IJN Fleet Escort Command. This task is also identified by the diagonal red stripe on the tail. The white "C" was probably an aid for formation flying in low-visibility conditions.


According to other references, the "C" marking would appear to be a complete circle to another pilot when the planes were the proper distance apart.

SN
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