My WW2 Japanese Attack Plane Collection

[Epap]

I thought I'd share pictures of my growing collection of WW2 Japanese attack planes. We start with a mixed group of 1:72nd scale HM/SkyMax Vals and Kates, plus an IXO Grace. Note: some are repaints:

[Epap]

Another mixed group of 1:72nd Vals and Kates:

[Epap]

Now, some 1:100th scale Model Power Vals---mostly repaints:

[Epap]

Also in the 1:100th scale, two Vals and a Mabel from the Hachette series:

[Epap]

More from Hachette, including two variations of the Judy and a Jill:

[Epap]

And three Japanese Army planes from Hachette----two Sonias and a Mary:

[aferguson]

super nice planes, Epap. What a collection you've got.

does anybody know what the thin red (or white) stripes on the horizontal tailplane of japanese dive bombers and torpedo bombers were for?

[Epap]

Thanks, AF. As for those lines, I believe that they are so-called "aim-off" lines designed to help the rear gunners so they don't shoot off the tails of their planes.

[Dauntless]

I was wondering the same thing. I kinda figured it would be something the bombardier or pilot used to line up the plane in a crosswind. After all if you're crabbing (the plane is basically flying sideways because of a crosswind) then you can't properly hit the target even though you are headed for it, but not lined up, your ordinance is not either right? I suppose that is taken care of with the bomb site though, but a quick reference to look at in conjunction with the bomb site.
Maybe like you say for the rear gunner, is a more plausible and simplest explanation.

Nice collection Epap. Like what you did with the Kate repaints. Particularly the silver turned into a mottled green. I've got a couple of those, the Fuchida Pearl Kate, and the Midway.
Noticed you don't have any of the light grey Skymax 1:72 Vals, are you from the school of thought that favors the tan / off white?

[Epap]

Thanks D. Yes, I'm one of those who objects to the light gray that the "Japanese side"---aka, the distributor----talked them into doing. The same people insisted on green and brown blotched Kates. I repainted mine into an all-green scheme and another into that flaking green, with an underlying mustard color motif you see, above.

[aferguson]

it just occured to me, after reading Epaps response about the lines that they may have been used like the rings of a gunsight (maybe that's what you meant Epap?). They wouldn't really be of use in preventing the rear gunner shooting of his own tail but they could have been used like the rings of a gunsight in helping the gunner 'lead' his target for deflection shooting. Not sure i'm totally convinced that's what they were for but since Zero's never had them, they must have had something to do with the guy facing rearward.

[hworth18]

You are correct Aferg, they are there to help with deflection shots.

[Epap]

Harry is correct, AF. I was just attempting a bit of humor in my post, for obviously, the whole array of lines that one sees on these planes is meant to guide the gunner's aim at many angles.