With the re-emergence of Germany in the early 1930s as an expansionistic power, various countries courted the Nazi regime in an attempt to drive a wedge between themselves and their perceived rivals. One of these countries was Japan.
Unfortunately for the militarists in the Japanese government, Hitler's bunch wasn't interested in sharing much with the Japanese, and began making serious demands to have their former Pacific possessions returned. When things came to a head in China , the Japanese did a quick reassessment of the situation, replaced some key individuals in cabinet, and began making new friends in the area. One of the more unexpected ones was Australia.
Things had been tense between Australia and Japan in the years after WW 1. Seeing Japan as a serious threat, successive Australian governments had clamoured for military assistance from the UK, but were often left holding the short end of the stick. Realising that Germany posed a threat to Australian interests as well as their own, with increasing trouble from Stalins' Soviet Union as well, Japanese delegates began to make inroads with the politicians in Australia, forming an alliance of convenience that grew into one of interdependence. Japan had manufacturing ability, Australia had the resources, and Britain was still climbing out of the depression and was facing an emergent European war, one which they desperately needed Australian forces to fight. If the Mother Country was going to ignore their defence, then the Australians felt it only best to look for help much closer.
Kawanishi had been building trolley cars and railway gear for several years in Australia before WW 2 broke out. Having formed a good working relationship with the Australian manufacturers, a bold idea was put forward by the board of directors at Kawanishi: Build one of our designs under licence and it will help us both in the long run, you for defence today, us for a long term manufacturing partnership. Seizing the chance, Australia began to produce the CAC CA-19 "Thunderstruck"
Too late for service in the Battle of Britain, "Thunderstrucks" began entering service in mid-1943, in time for the sweep across Africa and into the south of Europe, across the Aegean into Greece and up through the Balkans into the heart of the Nazi regime. They also served in the pacific along side the Wildcats and hellcats of the USN, fighting the Russian forces along the coast, and far into the interior, liberating Manchuria and Northern China from Stalin's madness. This model represents a later mark, the Mk II B, which sported a blown Spitfire like canopy, increased engine power, additional wing guns, and underwing stations. The RAAF planes fighting in the PNE Theatre were distinctive in their markings, as all red was removed to prevent being mistaken for a plane sporting the red star of the Soviet Air Force.
This example was flown by P/O George "Geordie" McGruder as part of the liberation of Vladivostok. He was credited with 31 3/5 kills during that operation.
Here's another creation from the insane mind of Mark Two, one of my co-workers. It's an old kit in 1/32 scale of the "George", "slightly" reworked to make it more Australian. It's confused a few customers at the hobby shop, most thinking it's some sort of Tempest...
Alvis 3.1
