Cruver
Recognition Model, Japanese Fighter Ki-43 Oscar
This artifact resides in our Private Collection, yet we welcome inquiries from restorers, museums, or serious enthusiasts. Please email us with the name of the artifact at Curator@AeroAntique.com.
This is a Recognition Model of the WWII-era Japanese Fighter Ki-43 "Oscar", known as the Japanese Army's "Zero" (we all know that the actual A6M Zero was flown by the Japanese Navy).
From our research, we believe it to be an authentic 1:72 model produced by the well known maker of WWII recognition models, Cruver. It has the (c) Cruver symbol and is dated 9-43. These recognition models were suspended on a string in air and were used to train airmen to recognize aircraft of friendly forces and adversaries.
It is in exceptional condition given its age. We detect no distortion of the form as is often the case with the Measures ~4.5 inches long with ~6 inch wingspan. However, AeroAntique makes no definitive claim that this is an original vs a recast.