The Little World

I have heard it put forward that the designations we give to our land, sea and air models should conform to the original languages of the makers.

Thus, this Mitsubishi product should be known as a Ki-15-I Karigane or Army Type 97 Command Reconnaissance Aircraft. Or alternately, the Wild Goose. All of which will bewilder, rather than illuminate. I recognise these names, but find it ever so much easier to refer to it by the Allied code-word: Babs. Simple to say over a radio and hard to mistake.

It may be that the Japanese had code-words for western aircraft as well – they were welcome to them. It would have been a blessing when they encountered the ffitch-ffitch Fortescue-Smythe FFFS Model 56b Franguliticator upside down at 5000ft. By the time the Japanese aviator had correctly reported the enemy, it would have been back at the RAF base with the wheels chocked.

I like Hasegawa kits. They may be accurate, or they may be imaginative – I have no way to tell. But they are cleanly moulded and show a good balance between detail and simplicity. The instructions are clearly illustrated, until you get to the abysmal colour scheme diagram. The decals are clean. They stick better than Tamiya ones do… They provide prototypes that the western model companies rarely bother with.

This model kit is no exception. And as I have few IJA aircraft, I think it is time for some Army camouflage.