[lanslide]

Thanks Jim (Dad)...I hope HM follows this historical analysis and photography rather than artist's and modeler's interpretations!

[Epapazian]

That's the picture I was searching for. Thanks.

It certainly doesn't look like this Kate is sporting the green and tan ( ? ) motif shown in HM's artist's rendition. An all-green upper surface is my interpretation of the photo, except for the tail, which is clearly in a lighter color ( red? ) with the plane's ID painted in yellow (? ) on a darker strip. Hmm? I wonder why members of this forum refer to brown as a second upper surface color. Is there another picture of the plane taken during the Pearl Harbor raid that supports this by revealing a two-tone camouflage?

[Epapazian]

I suppose that the hint of blotching shown in the upper shot of the Kate---albeit rather faintly---is what led to the assumption of brown being used. Odd, since this could be nothing more than the normal top color---JN Gray--or even metal, showing through a hastily applied green spray job.

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by Epapazian

I suppose that the hint of blotching shown in the upper shot of the Kate---albeit rather faintly---is what led to the assumption of brown being used. Odd, since this could be nothing more than the normal top color---JN Gray--or even metal, showing through a hastily applied green spray job.

One of those cases where you wish that there were more pictures to look at.

[lanslide]

The "pale olive-gray" my father is referring to is what my avatar photo of a Marushin model Zero (where we tried to duplicate the color) shows. This color has never been correctly used on any ready made model to my knowledge. HM could be the first to get it right - please!

[kb466]

I hope that Hawkonevoodoo and Hobby Master are taking note of what Mr. Lansdale is saying about the correct scheme for this Kate. It looks as though HM is heading toward getting it wrong and there is time to get it right. Mr. Lansdale is a noted authority on WW2 Japanese aircraft-- I would suggest that Hawkonevoodoo and HM contact Mr. Lansdale (maybe through his son Lanslide) and get his input so that the Kate comes out right, or as close to it as we can come. I think the market would respond quite well to a correctly colored Kate. How about it Hawkonevoodoo?-- It surely sounds like an opportunity here to get it right.

[Jim Lansdale]

One more photo ... I think all the unit codes and call numbers were red at Pearl Harbor. This tail may be or had been red and painted over ... Quien sabe?



Jim Lansdale

Credit: Shigeru Nohara via LRA

[Epapazian]

It sure does look like a fairly solid green on top with a red tail and red letters/numbers on a darker ( green? ) strip on the tail. As for the undersurfaces , I could live with natural metal or JN Gray, but I suspect that the former may be correct.

As has been voiced already on this thread, I, too, hope that HM will review these pictures and contact Jim Lansdale or any other expert on this subject while there is still time to get it right.

[kb466]

Originally Posted by Epapazian

It sure does look like a fairly solid green on top with a red tail and red letters/numbers on a darker ( green? ) strip on the tail. As for the undersurfaces , I could live with natural metal or JN Gray, but I suspect that the former may be correct.

As has been voiced already on this thread, I, too, hope that HM will review these pictures and contact Jim Lansdale or any other expert on this subject while there is still time to get it right.

I went ahead and emailed Hawk to alert him to this thread, if he isn't following it already, and encouraging him and HM to contact Jim Lansdale and get his input on the Kate so as to get it right. If I hear back from him, I will post it here, if Hawk doesn't do so himself.

[hworth18]

Originally Posted by lanslide

The "pale olive-gray" my father is referring to is what my avatar photo of a Marushin model Zero (where we tried to duplicate the color) shows. This color has never been correctly used on any ready made model to my knowledge. HM could be the first to get it right - please!

The 1/32 21st Century Zeros come pretty darned close to the correct color..

On the plus side HM has just announced this, so there is plenty of time to get it right and HM "usually" listens to the collecting public to get it as accurate as possible..