World War II Database

1.  Bill says:
15 Feb 2009 04:26:12 PM

above photo: Aichi D3A1 Navy Type 99 Diver Bomber Model 11 of the 33rd Kokutai

2.  Bill says:
24 Dec 2011 09:11:14 PM

Continued from my previous comment dated
15 Feb 2009:

Aircraft donated to the Imperial Navy were
called Hokoku presentation or gifts from
heavy industry large and small business, individuals, groups or organizations throughout Japan, that bought military equipment most notable was the Imperial
Japanese Navy. On the fuselage sides, were the names of doners and the presentation number.

BOUGHT & PAIED FOR BY THE JAPANESE PEOPLE:

In September 1941 the Hokoku presentation program, donated to the Navy Eight Aichi D3A1 "Val" Type 99 two-seat Dive-bombers.
The aircraft were gifts from "All Japan"
payment came from people donating money to groups on street corners, temples or other places.
The Eight Dive-bombers numbers 512 through 528, later took part in the Pearl Harbor Attack on December 7,1941.

The Imperial Japanese Army had a similar
program called Aikoku presentation for tanks aircraft, guns and other military equipment.

The Japanese Puppet State of Manchukuo also had a presentation program called Gokoku that paid for military equipment.

3.  Bill says:
30 Dec 2011 10:27:38 PM

HOUKOKU: DONATED AIRCRAFT BOUGHT & PAID FOR

Houkoku pronounced (Hou koh coo) patriotism
not only combat aircraft, but trainers,
seaplanes and transports. Other military equipment was also paid for and donated as the war progressed, the Houkoku markings were
toned down.

4.  Bill says:
6 Jan 2012 07:15:55 PM

One of the Aichi D3A1 Type 99,"Val" AII-256 dive bomber from Carrier Kaga, donated Houkoku-522 with Japanese Characters painted on the fuselage, "All Schoolgirls Gift to the Nation", took part in the air raid on Pearl Harbor December 7,1941.

Another Aichi D3A1 Type 99 "Val" EII-206
dive-bomber Houkoku-525 from the Carrier Zuikaka was the Command aircraft in the first wave. Most of the donated D3A1s were
part of the Pearl Harbor attack force.

5. Bill says:
14 May 2013 06:11:05 PM

MADE IN JAPAN:

Aichi Kokuki KK. Nagoya, Japan 1,495 D3A (Val) dive bombers were produced. Did you know that the Aichi Aircraft Company was the fourth largest producer of aircraft in Japan.

420 D3A1, Model 11
1 D3A2, Model 12
815 D3A2, Model 22

Showa Hikoki Kogyo K.K. Tokyo, Japan
201 D3A2, Model 22

6.  Bill says:
8 Jun 2015 02:03:34 PM

THE EMPIRE GONE WILD: NO GUNG HO

Before and during WWII the Aichi manufactured aircraft for the Imperial Navy under contracts, it also rebuilt and overhauled civilian and military aircraft.

ARMY VS. NAVY:

Did you know the army and navy had its own air arms, factories built aircraft to each service's own specifications, development, technical standards, support equipment and requirements needed by the army and navy.

I'VE GOT A SECRET:

Even service representatives kept their design information and project developments secret from one another its a wonder anything was built let alone flown. It was so bad, that no type of standardization even existed, like tools, spare-parts, hardware even electrical systems were designed different in short it must have been a real mechanics nightmare.
Imagine just trying to share an airfield with army or navy aircraft with no support from each other, but I'm sure like mechanics in every armed service the world over aircraft were repaired, serviced and flown on missions. It might be the engineers and designers who create the machines, but its the mechanics that keep the wheels turning.

AICHI AIRCRAFT COMPANY:

After World War II Aichi was dissolved today its current company, Aichi Machine Industry, Co. Ltd
builds automotive parts and light trucks for Nissan...

GUNG HO!

Term used in China, meaning work enthusiastic / work together. Later turned into American slang meaning "Can Do"

I thank the editor/ww2db for his continued support