For the expression as a “brand-new prototype”, I decided to dare not to make any weathering but to polish with tissue paper.
Just only a few works remained.
Who are the guys ?
Jun.13th 1939 Fine, later cloudy
Today, the first flight of Ki-51.
The brakes doesn’t work again, take off them, fly without brakes.
It seems to be rather good manuvability. Feel so fine to look it flies good.
The launching ceremony of the prototype No.1 came out perfect.
How big is the pleasure of the colleagues. Drunk with a glass of beer.
The first flight was made by Mitsubishi’s pilot, Kingo Inoue.
“Its manuvability is just like a fighter !”
Mr.Inoue, former a Fighter Pilot, added the comment to the report after the landing.
From
“Test Flight Diary” by Kariya Masai in “Mechanism of Militayi Aircfaft Toryu/Type 99 Assault/Tactical Reconnaissance” ,Maru-publisher, P.130
“The Story of the Japan Army Prototype Aircfafts” by Kariya Masai, kojin-sya publisher, P.194
http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E9%99%B8%E8%BB%8D%E8%A9%A6%E4%BD%9C%E6%A9%9F%E7%89%A9%E8%AA%9E-%E5%88%88%E8%B0%B7-%E6%AD%A3%E6%84%8F/dp/4769813449
After the first flight, my grandfather had been worked as a test pilot for four years, until he left Mitsubishi and was sent to the battle field in South East Asia,
due to some kind of “troubles” between him and his boss.
At that place, he worked as a pilot belonging to the General Staff, flying Ki-46 with Vice-Admiral Anami(who became the War Minister later) on it.
But before the end of the war, he got malaria, and went back to Japan.
He survived fortunately. His total flight time was up to 9,600 hours.
After the war, he raised a little tourist enterprise using helicopter, and made many families, untill he went away in 1972.
Now, by chance, I’m living near the Gifu Airbase where the prototype of Ki-51 flied, also where a big air show is held every year.
When I saw the T-4 of the “Blue Impulse”(Japanese Airforce acrobat team) from Gifu Airbase turn around over my house, I became aware that my grandfather is steering Ki-51 still now, watching over me and my family.
Finally, really deep thanks to everyone who had been looking at this topic.
Thank you my modeling friends !!!
Tetsuya Inoue
P.S.
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