1:72 Japanese Hinomaru

The red sun in sixteen diameters

The Hinomaru, the sun disc of Imperial Japan, is among the simplest and at the same time most strictly measured markings of the Second World War. It was carried by the naval and the army air services alike on the wings and on the sides of the fuselage. In the later phase of the fighting a white surround was added around the disc, meant to make the marking stand out on the dark green finish of the late machines.

The sheet covers both forms. Without a surround the discs correspond to real diameters of 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1200 and 1300 millimeters. With a white surround they correspond to diameters of 650, 750, 850, 950, 1050, 1150, 1250 and 1350 millimeters. Sixteen sizes are therefore available altogether, enough for small fighters through to twin-engine bombers.

The placement was laid down by regulation: the disc belonged on the upper and lower surfaces of both wings and on both sides of the fuselage, where it was usually somewhat smaller. The Imperial Japanese Navy also added a yellow band on the leading edge of the wing on some machines, but this sheet does not cover that and it has to be found elsewhere or sprayed.

Choosing the right diameter

The values given are the real dimensions, so on a model they are divided by 72; a disc 900 millimeters across measures 12.5 millimeters on a finished machine. Before applying it, compare the diameter with a drawing of the type in question, because the sizes differ not only between the Zero, the Ki-43 and the G4M but also between their production batches. A circular shape also forgives less than any other marking, so it pays to measure twice.

Inside there is a printed sheet with a list of the dimensions. The kit and the varnish are not included.