Heinkels Over Japan

Heinkels Over Japan...And A Mystery

Posted By: James F. Lansdale <mailto:LRAJIM@aol.com?subject=Heinkels Over Japan...And A Mystery>
Date: Friday, 28 July 2000, at 5:09 a.m.

A few months ago, reference was made on one of our boards to the alleged "bogus" unit markings carried by the A7He1 (Heinkel He-112B-O) "Jerry." According to Bob MIKESH, "Japanese Aircraft Code Names & Designations," p.77:

"Striking unit markings emblazoned their fuselage sides, differing on the opposite side to imply greater numbers in strength when photographed."

Researching the origins of such uncharacteristic markings for the IJNAF (in that naval units usually carried their unit markings/codes on the tail surfaces only), it was discovered that the Germans had carried out this method of subterfuge on the He-100 ("RAF Flying Review," January 1963, p.49). Another anomaly for the "Jerry" illustrated in the MIKESH book is that the photograph selected to illustrate the test aircraft in Japanese markings was actually a heavily retouched Heinkel factory photo of the He-112 V9, D-IGSI ("Heinkel He 112 In Action," Denes BERNAD, p.14).

No less than seven types of Heinkel aircraft were imported by Japan and tested. They included the He 70, 74B, 112, 116, 118, 100, and 119. Since the number (30) of the He-112 imported was sufficient to produce a unit equipped with such aircraft, is there any evidence this was done and is there any documentary evidence that ANY Japanese aircraft carried different markings on each side of the fuselage as an intelligence ploy?

Re: Heinkels Over Japan...And A Mystery

Posted By: Hiroyuki Takeuchi
Date: Tuesday, 1 August 2000, at 2:22 a.m.

In Response To: Heinkels Over Japan...And A Mystery (James F. Lansdale)

I did some research on the He112 when I built the Encore kit as an A7He1 a couple of months ago. I found only three photographs in Japanese markings. One is the retouched photo of the He-112V9 you mentioned. Another is the photo of a He112A. The third is a He112B in flight taken from below with seemingly red tailplanes and what may be hinomarus on the undersurface of the wings (photo is not vbery clear and the undersurface of the wings are shadowed and barely visible).

If the Japanese painted mock markings for propaganda, by the very nature of propaganda itself, the photos of these Heinkels must have appeared in the media at that time. However, I have never seen or heard about such propaganda photos being carried on Japanese wartime media.

Re: Heinkels Over Japan...And A Mystery

Posted By: Hiroyuki Takeuchi
Date: Tuesday, 1 August 2000, at 2:22 a.m.

In Response To: Heinkels Over Japan...And A Mystery (James F. Lansdale)

Re: Heinkels Over Japan...And A Mystery

Posted By: Peter Starkings <mailto:stkngs@globalnet.co.uk?subject=Re: Heinkels Over Japan...And A Mystery>
Date: Saturday, 5 August 2000, at 3:31 a.m.

In Response To: Heinkels Over Japan...And A Mystery (James F. Lansdale)

Hi James and Hiroyuki!
I certainly agree with what Hiroyuki has said about the He 112. There appears to have been a lot of conflicting and romanticised information written in several different American, British and German sources about the "Japanese" He112s. The most likely blunt truth appears to be that the Japanese pilots didn't like them, they were never tried in combat and it is doubtful if any even went to China as often reported! Furthermore, it is even doubtful whether more than 12 ever reached Japan as quoted varying orders for additional quantities above that were cancelled by either the Germans (some were diverted to Spain) or the Japanese themselves. The final conundrum lies in what He112 variants were actually supplied to Japan as these seem to have comprised a mixture of different demonstration, prototype and early production models. Inspection of the few photos (albeit all poor and retouched) available of the alleged Japanese aircraft confirms this. Finally, if more had really been made of them I think there would have been at least some such evidence in Japanese sources. Even the Fiat Br.20 got grudging coverage!!
Regards, Peter