JAS Jottings
The Quarterly Magazine of the Japanese Aviation Special Interest Group of IPMS-UK, Vol. 9, No. 3, August 2003

Reviewed by Jim Schubert

For my interests and tastes the pièce de résistance in this 32 page issue is the two and a half page article, with two drawings, on the Nakajima Ki-115 Tsurugi (Sabre). This was a late war purpose-designed, human guided, cruise missile - a small cheap, simple reciprocating engined monoplane designed to deliver a bomb of up to 800 kg, which was permanently attached to the airplane in a shallow recess in its belly. The monocoque fuselage was of rolled and riveted light gauge mild steel. The aluminum structure of the wings was covered with stressed aluminum skin panels and the wood structure of the tail group was fabric covered. The article sets out five pretty dull color/markings schemes for this little suicide bomber.

A three page annual schedule of the receipt of imported airplanes by the Japanese caps off the many part article, recently ended, which documented all of the airplanes imported into Japan from 1910 through the end of WWII.

Other articles in this issue include;

€ JAAF & JNAF Colours - Part 3,
€ Performance Comparison - Allied/Japanese Attack Aircraft - Part 2,
€ Japanese Aero Engines - Part 8 and
€ JNAF Reconnaissance Aircraft Evolution.

Regular Features include:

€ Model Kit and Accessories Reviews,
€ Transfers (Decals) Reviews,
€ Book and Magazine Reviews and Obscure Item Sources (This is new).

A two page supplement presents four color photos, by Tim Hortman and Peter Fearis, of the Ki-115 in storage at the NASM's Garber Facility.

Contact SIG leader Peter Starkings for details regarding membership. He accepts US dollar checks! All model building Nipponophiles ought to belong to this SIG. IPMS membership is recommended but is not required.