Japan gonna get hit again

[Nathan]

Dang...its a bad time to live in Japan. Looks like a possible hit again.

[JohnB]

In the context of this forum when you mention Japan getting hit again, I automatically think of B-29s.

I was raised in Japan, love the people and culture...condolences to those that have lost loved ones.
I hope the nation gets back on its feet soon.

[Warbird Kid]

I hope for the very best outcome. As the world goes through growing pains humans will be in the way since we've covered almost the entire planet.

[gary1954]

Writing of Japan, who is the guy over there that has restored some Japanese aircraft, major and minor components, and the Japanese government won't let him put is restored aircraft in the air. Where is he located, and has there been any damage to his collection. Man he does some fine, fine work.

[Warbird Kid]

I believe you mean Mr. Harada.
http://mokehana.web.fc2.com/e-photo-hrc.htm
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25451699@N04/page53/

He's to south and more located in the center of the island. Someone can give specifics on the location and how close he is to the danger zone.

[RareBear]

The town where the Harada collection is located is about 50 or so miles west of Tokyo, or about 275 miles SW of Sendai, where the Quake was most damaging. It's Y-a-m-a-s-h-i-t-a. Stupid word filter changes it to "sugar" when I type it without hyphens.

Walt

[DaveM2]

I spoke to Mr Harada last week, he and his collection are fine. He has been up north helping out tsunami victims
A bit about his substantial Betty progress in the latest CW

Dave

[gary1954]

I spoke to Mr Harada last week, he and his collection are fine. He has been up north helping out tsunami victims
A bit about his substantial Betty progress in the latest CW

Dave

He does Great, Great work. Awesome would be an understatement

[Steve Nelson]

Does Harada San have more Betty parts..perhaps enough to build up a complete aircraft? I was under the impression that he only had a rear fuselage. It would be great to see at least one complete WWII Japanese bomber. There are a few wrecks rotting away in the field, but I doubt they'll ever be recovered.

SN

[DaveM2]

Does Harada San have more Betty parts..perhaps enough to build up a complete aircraft? I was under the impression that he only had a rear fuselage. It would be great to see at least one complete WWII Japanese bomber. There are a few wrecks rotting away in the field, but I doubt they'll ever be recovered.

SN

Steve, he has just rolled out his scratch built forward fuselage.

[Steve Nelson]

Wow! I always thought it would be cool if his rear fuselage could be mated with the NASM's forward section. But if he's built one of his own, all the better!

SN

[the330thbg]

I read, they lost some of their F-2's (aka F-16)

Attachments

[Warbird Kid]

Wow! I always thought it would be cool if his rear fuselage could be mated with the NASM's forward section. But if he's built one of his own, all the better!

SN

I'm been quite impressed with the level of authenticity and preservation / construction that Mr. Harada has done with the few pictures I've seen here on the internet. So far from my count, him and his crew have restored 3 Zeros, with what seems like the forth one in progress. If he has in fact restored these aircraft back to flyable condition, wouldn't it be nice to maybe see him bring one to the USA and operate it for a season or two? Or maybe even sell one to someone on this side of the Pacific? On top of that I'd like to know the story behind the Willow thats there. Is it a complete static replica? Has original parts in it? Could it fly?

Now hearing about the scratch built nose section gives me hope that we may see an almost completely new-build Betty fly someday with something like R-2800's for reliable powerplants.

[the330thbg]

A flying 'Betty' would be quite the site!!!

[tulsaboy]

An earlier poster said something about the various Betty wrecks not being recovered... seems to me that at least one was recovered from the Solomons a year or two ago when several other Japanese wrecks were removed with the permission of the government there. I'm sure someone here knows their destination, but it makes me think that there would be the potential for that one to be used as a pretty nice pattern... and don't forget the one in California in the diorama setting (Planes of Fame?)

kevin