NMUSAF N1K2-Ja "George" has been placed on display

[warbird1]

Harada's SAKAE engine RUNS. It has run in the test stand before - I have a picture. Sadly, the darn Japanese government will never let him fly his warbirds! What a shame - red tape in Japan.


Oshkosh 2008 book signing or bust!

Ron

I've heard that also about Mr. Harada. Why do you suppose that is? Is it because of the Japanese aversion to talking about and trying to dismiss W.W. II history? Do you think that the Japanese government doesn't want any reminders of the War? It would seem odd that the government would not allow him to fly any of his airplanes under any circumstances.

Regading Oshkosh, some of us can't make it there. Any chance I could get an autographed copy of your new book through the mail? I'm looking forward to it!

[N3Njeff]

Here is a pic of a George pilot.

[Kaigun Fan]

Hello,

I"m fairly certain that the Pensacola "Shiden-kai" is a 343 AG vet. The 343rd was an amazing unit led by Genda (the man behind the Pearl Harbor plan) and had some of her elite pilots.

Warbird1 - yes, I will be happy to send you a signed book direct. Per the publisher, it will be available sometime in July. Please check my web blog for news/updates.

www.beyondpearlharbor.com

In general, Japan does everything possible to try to forget the war and her vets. There is no Veterans Day in Japan and most Japanese (I met) knew very little about the war. However, it is getting better after movies like "Letters from Iwo Jima."

Regards,

Ron W.

[APG85]

Not wild about it being displayed next to Bockscar. One thing I always liked about the B-29 at the NMUSAF was that you could photograph it from all angles without it being obstructed by other planes...

[N3Njeff]

Hello,

I"m fairly certain that the Pensacola "Shiden-kai" is a 343 AG vet. The 343rd was an amazing unit led by Genda (the man behind the Pearl Harbor plan) and had some of her elite pilots.

Warbird1 - yes, I will be happy to send you a signed book direct. Per the publisher, it will be available sometime in July. Please check my web blog for news/updates.

www.beyondpearlharbor.com

In general, Japan does everything possible to try to forget the war and her vets. There is no Veterans Day in Japan and most Japanese (I met) knew very little about the war. However, it is getting better after movies like "Letters from Iwo Jima."

Regards,

Ron W.

I am also pretty sure its a 343 vet. I was waiting to talk to dad about it. The pic of the George pilot is me sitting in that airplane. Tonight, I will scan the other pic I have and post it.

[Garth]

Not wild about it being displayed next to Bockscar. One thing I always liked about the B-29 at the NMUSAF was that you could photograph it from all angles without it being obstructed by other planes...

You know, it's interesting that BOTH atomic bombers now have Georges displayed underneath their wings.

[DaveM2]

[/quote]

The unrestored George that was recovered from underwater (Lake Biwa) is in extremely poor condition. quote]

It was recovered from the sea in Hida Bay. A Zero was recovered from Biwa.

Dave

[warbird1]

The unrestored George that was recovered from underwater (Lake Biwa) is in extremely poor condition.

It was recovered from the sea in Hida Bay. A Zero was recovered from Biwa.

Dave

Ah, thanks for the correction. I was going from my memory from 25 years ago!

[mustangdriver]

another perfectly restored dead airplane!

I kindly disagree! With all due respect for your freedom of opinion, I think the "George," along with all of the rest of the aircraft in this collection keep history "alive."

Now I've been involved with maintaining flyable warbirds for most of my life, and I definely advocate flying them when possible. But as Mustangdriver has been famous for advocating, there IS a need for a museum like the NMUSAF and NMNA.

Thanks for that Sasnak I love to see them fly too. THere IS a need for both types of museums.

[Shay]

A better look at how they moved the George to the back of the WW2 gallery...........lots of skill and patience




Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

[PhantomAce08]

A better look at how they moved the George to the back of the WW2 gallery...........lots of skill and patience




Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

Wow! Do you have more pictures?