Japan August 1945 - October 1945	Current
	Variations

THE GREEN CROSS FLIGHTS        

       There were two periods of so called green cross flights by Japanese aircraft after capitulation. The first lasted from about 19th August to 12th September 1945, covering  flights of surrender delegations  and  flights of surrendering aircraft to assembly points.

       The second period  lasted from 15th September to 10th October 1945, covering general communications and taking surrender details to outlying forces.

Mitsubishi G4M Betty

As ordered by Gen MacArthur: Such airplane will be painted all white and will bear upon the side of its fuselage and the top and bottom of each wing green crosses easily recognizable at 500 yards.

Kyushu K11W Shiragiku

The crosses are thinner but probably still visible from 500 yards.

Mitsubishi Ki-46 Dinah

Lack of white paint resulted sometimes in this improvisation.

Kawanishi H6K Mavis

Note that the wing is not painted white but the green crosses only have a white outline.

Kyushu K11W1

A thin coat of white paint is barely enough to cover the Hinomaru, the now pinkish Japanese roundel is covered by a green cross.

Mitshubishi Ki-46 Dinah

Sometimes the order to paint out the Japanese roundel was misunderstood. This aircraft carries both the red Hinomaru and the Green Cross.

Tachikawa Ki.54 Hickory

The Hinomaru is only painted over with a white cross probably due to lack of green paint.

 Top