Satsuma

Nice work - you've rigged it well and the open hanger door is effective. Years ago (1987 perhaps), I purchased (from an old wares shop in Sydney, Australia) a 1/165 scale I-400 manufactured by Japan's Hasegawa company. The whole kit is made of wood and brass! That is, it has about 30 pieces of wood and about 300 pieces of brass. Otherwise you would make it just like a plastic model - piece by piece. It would look beautiful made up, but it's still in the box, complete and in mint condition. I've scoured the web, including eBay, and have never seen mention of such a kit. I'm not going mad - it does exist ... Unfortunately, it doesn't come with aircraft and I've been looking for a 1/165 scale Seiran ever since!

Hi Snoopy I'm new and only discovered today the Military Modeller's forum (I usually hang-out in the Japan section). Now I think you Kaiten is superb. If ever you hold a masterclass, count me in. Keep it up; you're inspiring. Satsuma (IJN Enthusiast)

Hi Dieter! They were all Aussies to the last. Go figure. I hope they were respecting this honorable America institution and weren't just looking for any excuse to party. Certainly, either way, a good time was had by all. And now it's Christmas... Keep well Satsuma

Thanksgiving : I work in a private gentleman's club in Australia and we had 143 members and guests celebrating Thanksgiving at dinner here last night. America conquers the world! Keep well everybody! Satsuma

Hi Paul I have looked at about 50 pictures of Japanese military headwear but failed to spot the booni hat. So, short of looking at wartime photos in a couple of hundred books, I'm stumped. However, and I'm not diminishing the value or beauty of the piece, but it really reminds me of what the nurses wear in the television show M*A*S*H! Surely the Japanese would not have contracted to supply the Americans with headwear in the Korean War. Anyway, it's in the back of my mind now and if and when I spot one, I'll let you know. Thanks for adding to our knowledge and keep it surrounded with moth balls. Keep well Satsuma

Hi Jareth For your first post, nice work. Welcome to the Club. And Paul, nice piece; I'll research what I can and get back to you in the next day or two. Satsuma

I am amazed, being new to the GMIC, at how many experts there are and how obscure their fields of interest can be; Mr Mori in Japan would obviously know so much so I'm wondering if he doesn't know about the cases for the GEAWM then who would? Anyway, let's hope we find out, at some stage. Many veterans are getting old and there must be a cluttered attic somewhere, waiting to be cleaned out (and sold)! Certainly, my ability to contribute further to this topic has reached its limit. But it is fascinating for sure.

Hi Dieter I wonder how much the first stamped victory medals would fetch at auction? (Any ideas?) My friend visited Hawaii in 1978 and bought me, as a gesture, a Japanese victory medal similar to the ones you picture but it is clearly fake, even coming in its own black lacquer box that is actually made of plastic. I thought for years the Japanese never had a medal for this event so assumed it was fake anyway - until I heard about one recently and now I read your article. I live in Melbourne (Australia) and my medal is with my parents in Sydney so I can't provide any further information about it until after Christmas. I remember it does have something on the reverse... (Anyway, I have just joined the GMIC and this is my first contribution. I see your messages frequently and, because I have a passion for Japanese military and naval history, I sense we may become good friends. I look forward to enjoying and sharing this site and being an active member.) All good wishes Rich