[zulu64]

An interesting debate on the dreaded "Aotake" etc. Here is an image of a KI61 restoration with the cockpit untouched. I think both Aotake and a tan type colour are evident ... you be the judge. Like Billfish I too have looked for a definitive answer to Ki61 interior colour and I am still undecided. Though I tend to favour a Tan colour. IMO the raw aluminium was coated with Aotake as a primer/inhibitor then the manufacturer (Kawasaki) have used their standard factory colour over the Aotake. The AAA Repaint is in my opinion a good start but way to bright.



In your post Billfish you refer to a Japanese Aircraft forum ... do you have a URL ?

The restorers of 2 KI61s have gone with a tan colour for the interior.

As to relying on B&W photos one needs to be unbelieveably careful here as Lighter colours can be displayed as Dark colours depending on the Emulsion used. There are a number of RAF 1940 images that show the broad yellow ring of the fuselage roundel as a very dark colour... this as a direct result of the Film emulsion used.



Above is an example. You would be hard pressed without other knowledge to pick the outer roundel colour as yellow.

The Sea Hurricane in the lower Photo is late 1942 with the thin yellow ring as the outer colour of the roundel !