DONE +++ Nakajima J9N1 "Kikka"; ATAIU SEA, Singapore, Jan. 1946

[kitbasher]

Was there a 'code' for the fin markings, viz. B1-01 etc?

And were there other ATAIUs elsewhere as well?

I delved for the purposes of my 'background' Ki-61 - take a look at https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Technical_Air_Intelligence_Unit&oldid=918695585 and then check out the 'See also' and other links.  Especially http://www.risingdecals.com/DyingSun/DyingSun_A.htm.

[PR19_Kit]

All very interesting, thanks gentlemen. 

I was wondering of there were ATAIUs in the Middle East to fit in with my S77 build, but apparently not.

I'll just plough on with it having been re-engined and pressed into service with the RAF in Egypt. 

[kitbasher]

All very interesting, thanks gentlemen. 

I was wondering of there were ATAIUs in the Middle East to fit in with my S77 build, but apparently not.

I'll just plough on with it having been re-engined and pressed into service with the RAF in Egypt. 

IIRC someone on this forum advocates changing the backstory to fit the model, Kit, can't recall who 

Surely the number of captured aircraft operated by Desert Air Force units could justify a whifworld detachment of the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Fighting_Development_Unit_RAF operating in that theatre?

[sandiego89]

Great job Dizzy!

Agree the hand painted marking are very tough to pull off- I had similar problems with my WHIF Horsa for the Japanese homeland invasion- but you really pulled it off! 

-Dave

[rickshaw]

I am not certain about the tail code. I always thought that it was the original Japanese code, just ignored by the new operators, but now with the two types side-by-side in the pics it appears as if the BI-XX code is actually an ATAIU item code? No idea what the "BI" means, though. I know that german aircraft carried "FE-XXX" codes, for "Foreign Equipment", so I adapted it for the Kikka.

BI  -  British Intelligence ?

[Dizzyfugu]

I am not certain about the tail code. I always thought that it was the original Japanese code, just ignored by the new operators, but now with the two types side-by-side in the pics it appears as if the BI-XX code is actually an ATAIU item code? No idea what the "BI" means, though. I know that german aircraft carried "FE-XXX" codes, for "Foreign Equipment", so I adapted it for the Kikka.

BI  -  British Intelligence ?

That would have been my first guess, too.

[Tophe]

According to this (top secret) source, the RAF also tested the Twin-Kikka:

[Dizzyfugu]

Oh, that's looking surprisingly good! 

[Tophe]

Thanks!
The picture copy joke deserves not much, all the merit is deserved by your source model.

[Tophe]

Was the British Kikka used as a test bed for the Hawker 1048?
http://www.unicraft.biz/on/hawker1048/hawker1048.htm

[PR19_Kit]

Was the British Kikka used as a test bed for the Hawker 1048?
http://www.unicraft.biz/on/hawker1048/hawker1048.htm

Well spotted Tophe, that design's VERY similar. 

[jcf]

BI- was originally the code for the aircraft carrier Soryu, some of the shipboard
unit designators were later reused by land-based units.

In this case they're probably a reference to the captors.

[jcf]

After doing some digging around it appears that single-engine types and smaller twins
received a 'B' code: B1 fighters; B2 trainers. Larger transports and bombers coded F1.
At least that seems to be the current consensus based on available information.

Some known codes:
Type Tail code   
J2M   B1-01   
J2M   B1-02   
A6M  B1-05
A6M  B1-06
A6M  B1-12
A6M  B1-21
A5M  B1-32
K9W  B2-20
K9W  B2-21
A6M  B2-51
G4M  F1-11
L2D  F1-23
L2D  F1-27

Following this format, a Kikka would most likely have had a B1 code.

[Dizzyfugu]

Ah, thank you for the info! 

[jcf]

You're welcome. 

The Kikka looks good.