World War II Database

1.  Bill says:
20 Oct 2011 10:03:20 PM

Civil J-BAAI aircraft made a record breaking flight in April 1937 flying from Japan to England and return in 51 hours & 17 minutes. Aircraft was named Kamikaze, the flight was
sponsored by the Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbum.
Aircraft was in natural mental w/blue trim
rising sun flag on wing tips. The Allies code named the Ki-15 "Babs" and was used by both the IJAAF and the IJNAF about 489 were built and served in China.

Later on J-BAAI was put on display, and was destroyed during a B-29 raid most of the surviving Babs were used in Kamikaze attacks
a few survived in Japan after the war, but were among the thousands of combat aircraft destroyed by the Allies.
The Communist Chinese captured different types of Japanese aircraft at the end of WWII
a few of them, were "Babs", and used by the PLAAF the last two were retired in 1951.

2.  Bill says:
24 Sep 2016 02:17:33 PM

CIVIL BABS:

File photograph shows the Mitsubishi Ki-15 "Babs" could be civil registered J-BAAO Amakaze or Heavenly Wind, or it could be J-BAAL Asakaze Morning Breeze, were owned and operated by the Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbum.

In March 1937 another Babs was registered J-BAAL named Kamikaze or Divine Wind, and delivered to the same Japanese newspaper.
Other civil operators also flew the Babs.

IMPERIAL SERVICE:

Both the Imperial Navy and Army operated the Babs. The early model Ki-15-1 and the Ki-15-II, or Army Type 97 was an improved model and flew in China.
The Navy operated the Ki-15-II as the Navy Type 98 Reconnaissance Plane Model 1. The Ki-15 was later withdrawn from front-line service and used as trainers, target tug or other duties.
The survivors were expended in Kamikaze attacks.

CHI-COM BABS:

Communist Chinese (PLAAF)captured a few abandoned Ki-15 Babs, and used them until retired in 1951.