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Yokosuka K5Y biplane was mainstay of Imperial Japan Naval air training arm during 1930s and 1940s war years, and was common sight for Japanese of that era living close to military air bases. Bright orange paint was applied to all Japan military trainers for ease of aerial identification, thus Japanese nicknamed the plane "Aka Tonbo" (Red Dragonfly) for a type of insect common throughout Japan home islands. Yokosuka K5Y - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yokosuka_K5Y
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Rollover : K5Y based on previous Yokosuka Type 91 trainer design, but stability problems led the Kawanishi aircraft company to redesign the plane in 1933, resulting in K5Y model which entered service in 1934. A K5Y-2 float-plane variant was also produced, deployed for areas lacking concrete airfields or earthen terrain airdromes.
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About 5,500 K5Y biplanes were produced until war's end in 1945, manufacturing distributed among companies such as Kyushu aircraft company, Nihon Hikoki, Hitachi, Fuji. Interestingly, Kyushu aircraft company continued to exist in one form or another up until 2001 when it finally dissolved as Watanabe Automobile Industries. Kyushu aircraft company - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyushu_Aircraft_Company
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Nowadays, we know of Japanese corporations like Hitachi, Fuji, and Mitsubishi as top electronic and automotive multi-nationals, but during WW2 they were top armaments manufacturers, just like their German counterparts such as Porsche, Volkswagen, and Daimler-Benz. Hitachi - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitachi%2C_Ltd.
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Inset 1 : Model from 1.48 ARII kit, assembly was straightforward, but aligning wing struts required delicate parts drilling and placement. Kit included metal wiring for wing cables, but since they bend too easily, replaced item with paint brush bristles for wing cables since they are flexible. Custom display base made with picture frame with color printout of KY5 unit and paint scheme. Graphics and text were assembled via Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft PowerPoint applications.
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Inset 2 : K5Y resting on picture frame display base, frames purchased from local Walmart store and was quite inexpensive. Red circles on wing and fuselage was standard Japanese air arm colors called "Hinomaru" (sun of circle), duplicating the red circle on the Japan flag. Japan Flag - www.fotw.net/flags/jp.html
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Modern Japan "Hinomaru" flag originated from feudal era, or specifically from personal banner of samurai clansman Kato Kiyomasa who carried a white flag with golden circle (burgundy in other descriptions). Official name for Japan flag is Ni-shou-ki (sun banner flag), but is commonly called Hi-no-maru (sun of circle). Flag of Japan - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_flag
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