French use of Japanese planes post WW2 over Vietnam photos

[Liberator]

I have found a few interesting photos of warbird aircraft i suspect others would like to see regarding operations of ex Japanese aircraft by the French military during operations over Vietnam after WW2.

I see a few rare images such as a G4M Betty and a floatplane and Zero in French colours?

Hope this is of use to others in aviation research and modelling on a era rarely shown.

http://www.vietnam-airsoft.com/phpBB3/v ... 5&start=80

Regards

Phil

[Dan K]

Phil,

The aircraft in the 1st, 2nd, and 5th photos (Zero, Betty, Raiden) are not in French markings, but RAF. Note these examples all carry markings for the ATAIU.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allied_Tec ... gence_Unit

[Dan Johnson II]

The ones with ATAIU SEA on them are being flown by an Allied Evaluation unit either at the end or just post WW2.

[The Inspector]

Cambodia used former Japanese aircraft to re start it's air forces after WW2 since the Japanese of course left them and several could be made serviceable. Somewhere I have an awfully old decal sheet in 1/72nd scale for a Cambodian A6M.

[JohnB]

Hard to believe they would have the spares for anything approaching regular operation of the aircraft. What spares were there in 1945 might not have been much use a few years later.

I can see using a former Japanese warplane/trainer as a base "hack" or test aircraft, but nothing long term.

Also, would they need many with all the WWII suplus aircraft provided by the US and UK?

The website will have to come up with better proof/photos than the well-known RAF ATAIU shots to convince me the French flew Japanese aircraft in any numbers.

[CDF]

In Dec 45, pending arrival of their Spitfire Mk.IXs, pilots and ground crews of GC I/7 'Provence', assisted by Japanese POWs, made valiant efforts to start operations with 12 of the 17 Nakajima Ki-43-II and Ki-43-III fighters which the British had turned over to the French. The worn-out Japanese aircraft, for which spares were virtually unavailable, proved highly temperamental and the type was only used for a few familiarization flights. A Ki-43-III coded 'A' was ground-looped on 2 Jan 46 and the last 'Oscar' survived only until March 46.

Vietnam: The War in the Air by René J Francillon

more here
http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forum ... in/139817/

http://www.frenchwings.net/indochina/ga ... hp?album=1

http://www.ww2shots.com/gallery/v/Weapo ... e.jpg.html

[WallyB]

Phil,

The aircraft in the 1st, 2nd, and 5th photos (Zero, Betty, Raiden) are not in French markings, but RAF.

I believe they are all RAF, the inner roundel color is lighter (red) than the outer (blue). FAF is the reverse.

[Liberator]

More information on French use of Japanese aircraft after WW2 see this link

http://www.network54.com/Forum/149674/m ... +planes....

Phil

[the330thbg]

I do not believe it!

Unless these aircraft had a 'reverse' gear.., the French would never fly them! HAH!

[the330thbg]

more shots here.. these showing US aircraft with French Markings in the early 50's

http://www.paquelier.com/paqsenior/avions51.htm

On these you can definitely see the differences in the insignia mentioned earlier.

[Fearless Tower]

Hard to believe they would have the spares for anything approaching regular operation of the aircraft. What spares were there in 1945 might not have been much use a few years later.

You'd be suprised.....look the Iranians....they've managed to keep at least some of their F-14s flying and we sure as heck haven't let them have ANY spare parts.

[SaxMan]

I remember seeing a picture of the Mitsubishi Jacks when I was a kid. All these years I thought ATAIU SEA was a British escort carrier!

[The Inspector]

If I have several long sticks and all you have is a handful of pebbles, who's got the advantage? If I can fly and you walk, that would make me with one eye, the King in the land of the blind.