According to IJN fighter pilot Saburo Sakai’s autobiography (pg 61 of book, pg 71 of pdf, https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015000229735&seq=71) he bought a Leica camera around October/November 1940 with a “Sonar[sic] 2.0 lens,” (should be Sonnar, probably 5cm).
He remarks “this represented more than 3 months pay.” At the time, Sakai was a Petty Officer Second Class (二等兵曹) pilot. My question is how much was a PO 2nd class on flying status paid in 1940 in the IJN?
I want to try to figure out which model Leica he bought. I can look at Asahi Camera (photo magazine 1926-1942) for camera and lens prices in Japan in 1940. If I know how much he made, I can figure between 3 and 4 months pay, then deduct the cost of the Zeiss Sonnar lens to give a rough idea of what the camera body cost.
I have a few pre-war “Barnack Leicas” and want to set one up like what Saburo Sakai possibly used.