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Close-up of K5Y1 landing struts gears and cable assembly. Cables made from paint brush  bristles, holes were drilled into fuselage to snug cable insert, then superglued (glossy glue marking was eliminated by spraying layer of Testor Dullcoat). Same process followed for 4 cables on tailfin. File: Japanese Military Aircraft - members.cox.net/calvinlew/aerospace_military/Aircraft_Japanese_Military.htm
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Japan Hinomaru (sun of circle) insignia was standardized circa late-1920s, during WW2 US servicemen called this red disc marking "meat ball", hence became military slang for any Japan enemy aircrafts. All nations evolved their national aerial insignia since inception of WW1 air combat. Japan National Flag The Red Circle Symbolizes the Sun - www.sg.emb-japan.go.jp/JapanAccess/national.htm
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Interestingly, first Imperial Japan national insignia was red star over white circle, which nowadays alludes to former Soviet Union, China, North Korea, or a host of other Communist regimes. Red star was used by Imperial Japan Army air arm, thus when Hinomaru marking was adopted, Japan Army retained red star as legacy marking on some aircrafts. http://www.fotw.net/flags/jp.html#roundel15
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Inset 1 : Sample Japan army airforce insignia WW1 era, with red star over white circle, which may seem awkward given its allusion to Communist forces in modern era. However, other air forces adopted symbols that possess different interpretations today. For example, both Finland and Latvia used the Swastika (ancient Nordic symbol for Sun Wheel) as their airforce insignia from 1920-1940s. Finnish Aces of WW2 - acesofww2.com/finland/Finland.htm
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Rollover : K5Y1 underside with additional close-up of landing cable struts and dual  "Ka-517" marking. Minimal model weather was applied to maintain plane's pristine nature.
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Inset 2 : Usage of Imperial Japan's "Red Star" on WW2 Japanese Army Ki-21 bomber. Red star painted on fuselage as legacy Army markings, Imperial Navy did not use this star marking. Mitsubishi Ki-21 paper cut - www.juniorgeneral.org/donated/john/sally1.GIF
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Paper Soldiers Japan 1/72-scale - www.juniorgeneral.org/ww2.htm#Japan
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