This is indeed a very interesting photo. I can make a couple of remarks. First, I concur that the presence of the painted national flag on the hull strongly suggests this is post war, although there were instances of IJN submarines displaying the flag on conning tower sides during the war. Also, note that is the Japanese national flag at the mainmast - not the "rising sun." But, every other ship I've seen doing repatiation work was disarmed before they were sent out. Thus, the presence of armament here is odd. WRT the small things along the dockside, yes, I believe those are 25mm singles, seemingly with their canvas covers fitted. As to the camo scheme... almost certainly greens. It is *very* similar to Akitsushima's scheme which was greens - NOT grays as in the NN "T" version of the model. The Strategic Bombing Surveys postwar had a volume on IJN ship camouflage research and utilization - I've read it - and Akitsushima's scheme is clearly denoted as greens.
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Japanese target ship Hikachi.
She was modified as an escort late in the war.
Armament two 4.7-inch and 28 Type 96 25-mm AA guns
Do we think the objects along the deck edge here are single 25mm mounts?
Also, she does she appear to be camouflaged in this picture? Any guesses at colours?
Would the starboard side pattern have been identical?
I have the Hai model and am considering modifying it to depict her as escort.