1-300 Japanese Hinomaru

1-300 Japanese Hinomaru
These 1-300 Japanese Hinomaru decals reproduce the classic solid red-disc national aircraft insignia used by Japanese military aviation. Simple, highly recognizable, and closely associated with Japan’s national flag, the Hinomaru became one of the most distinctive aircraft markings of the twentieth century and was carried extensively by both Imperial Japanese Army and Navy aircraft.
The Japanese term Hinomaru literally refers to the “circle of the sun.” The design consists of a single red disc and reflects the same solar symbolism used on Japan’s national flag. Japanese Army and Navy aviation adopted the red-disc design as a national aircraft identification marking during the early development of their air services, and it remained the basic Japanese aircraft insignia throughout the interwar period and World War II.
During World War II, the Hinomaru was normally applied to the upper and lower wing surfaces and the sides of the fuselage. Unlike many European air forces, Japanese aircraft generally did not use a separate national fin flash; instead, the red Hinomaru served as the primary national identification marking.
The simple unbordered red disc was particularly common where sufficient contrast existed between the marking and the aircraft’s surrounding finish. On light gray, natural metal, or other lighter surfaces, the red Hinomaru could be applied directly without an outline. As darker green camouflage became increasingly common, especially during the later stages of the Pacific War, some aircraft received a white border around the Hinomaru to improve visibility. Application practices differed between the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force and Imperial Japanese Navy Air Force and could also vary by aircraft type, manufacturer, unit, and date.
The unbordered Hinomaru appeared on virtually every major type of Japanese military aircraft, including the Mitsubishi A6M Zero, Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa “Oscar,” Nakajima Ki-44 Shoki “Tojo,” Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien “Tony,” Nakajima Ki-84 Hayate “Frank,” Mitsubishi G4M “Betty,” Nakajima B5N “Kate,” Aichi D3A “Val,” Yokosuka D4Y “Judy,” and numerous reconnaissance, transport, seaplane, and bomber types.
The marking became so strongly associated with Japanese military aircraft during the Pacific War that Allied nations altered some of their own aircraft insignia to reduce the danger of misidentification. In May 1942, for example, the United States removed the red center from its national aircraft star partly because, at combat distances, the red element could contribute to confusion with the Japanese Hinomaru.
Product Features
Designed for 1-300 / 6mm Japanese military aircraft miniatures
Reproduces the classic solid red Japanese Hinomaru
No white outer border, making this sheet suitable for aircraft carrying the plain red-disc version
Suitable for both Imperial Japanese Army and Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft
Particularly appropriate for WWII and pre-WWII Japanese aircraft
Suitable for fighters, bombers, carrier aircraft, reconnaissance aircraft, transports, and seaplanes
Appropriate for aircraft such as the A6M Zero, Ki-43 Oscar, Ki-61 Tony, Ki-84 Frank, G4M Betty, B5N Kate, D3A Val, and many other Japanese types
Multiple sizes allow the markings to be matched to different aircraft and placement locations
A separate Hinomaru with White Border sheet is also available for aircraft requiring the outlined version.
Printed on thin waterslide decal paper
Decals must be individually cut from the sheet before application
For wargamers building Imperial Japanese air forces, the plain red Hinomaru is one of the most essential aircraft markings of the Pacific War. From carrier-based Zeros operating across the Pacific to Army fighters over China, Burma, and the Philippines, the unmistakable red disc immediately gives 1-300 Japanese aircraft their characteristic wartime appearance.