[hworth18]

I have seen this scheme or something similar to it and I want to verify that it actually existed.. I am "assuming" this is LATE a home-defence scheme as the training scheme was typically all-over orange..

I have seen Zero's, Franks and others represented in similar schemes but I have never seen any color photographic proof or otherwise..

I think the color is off on this 4-view, but it is the right idea..

[SkyBuffalo]

Hworth18 :

I flipped through my copy of "The Hamlyn Concise Guide to Axis Aircraft of WWII". On P. 193, I found a depiction of a Mitsubishi A5M "Claude" with the same paint scheme - dark green on top and orange on the bottom.

The blurb described it as "Mitsubishi A5M4 fighter trainer of Kasumigaura Kojutai, Omura"

So your paint scheme could still possibly be a trainer version. Hope this helps.

[Cruver Collecter]

In the Squadron in Action series on the Zero I found possible support that would point to it possibly being a training aircraft. One of the captions for the A6M2-K trainer stated that as American raids increased on Japan during the closing days of the war, training aircraft were repainted in dark green. Not definitive, but does kind of support plane paint scheme being associated with a training unit.

[Warhawk]

This might have been posted already, but I think the book just came out and looks interesting with rare pics
http://www.beyondpearlharbor.com/

[Ara1]

Tell us why you want to know Harry: are you researching a custom model? If so, is this a repaint of a diecast, or a plastic model?

[Jim Lansdale]

Orange-yellow ("Akatombo") finishes/schemes were characteristic of training aircraft and protoypes. Prototype "akatombo" schemes were used mainly on IJNAF prototypes.

The scheme depicted on a Kawasaki Ki-61 "Hien" (or "Tony") is more fanciful than factual!

Jim Lansdale
J-aircraft.com Main Page

[hworth18]

Thanks for all the replies. I was considering painting a Tony in a similar scheme, but have since changed my mind.