Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa: Difference between revisions
| Line 27: | Line 27: | ||
The Ki-43 was the most widely-used Army fighter, and equipped 30 ''[[sentai]]'' (groups) and 12 ''[[chutai]]s'' (squadrons). The first version, Mark I, entered service in [[1941]], the Mark II in December [[1942]], the II-''Kai'' in June [[1943]], and the Mark IIIa in the summer of [[1944]]. |
The Ki-43 was the most widely-used Army fighter, and equipped 30 ''[[sentai]]'' (groups) and 12 ''[[chutai]]s'' (squadrons). The first version, Mark I, entered service in [[1941]], the Mark II in December [[1942]], the II-''Kai'' in June [[1943]], and the Mark IIIa in the summer of [[1944]]. |
||
Like the Zero, the Ki-43 initially enjoyed air superiority in the skies of [[Malaya]], [[Netherlands East Indies]], [[Burma]] and [[New Guinea]]. This was partly to do with the better performance of the Japanese fighters and the small numbers of Allied fighters in Asia and the Pacfiic when war began. |
Like the Zero, the Ki-43 initially enjoyed air superiority in the skies of [[Malaya]], [[Netherlands East Indies]], [[Burma]] and [[New Guinea]]. This was partly to do with the better performance of the Japanese fighters and the small numbers of Allied fighters in Asia and the Pacfiic when war began. However, as the war progressed, the plane suffered from the same weaknesses as the Ki-41 and the Mitsubishi Zero; a lack of armor and self-sealing tanks, which caused the plane to catch on fire when hit. As newer Allied planes were introduced, such as the Vought Corsair and the Hellcat, the Japanese were forced into a defensive war and most planes were flown by inexperienced pilots. |
||
The Ki-43 also served in an air defense role over [[Taiwan|Formosa]], [[Okinawa]] and the [[Japanese home islands]]. Some examples were supplied to the pro-Japanese countries of [[Thailand]], [[Manchukuo]] and [[Wang Jingwei Government]] as well. The Thai units sometimes fought against the [[United States Army Air Forces|USAAF]] in southern [[China]].{{Fact|date=February 2007}} |
The Ki-43 also served in an air defense role over [[Taiwan|Formosa]], [[Okinawa]] and the [[Japanese home islands]]. Some examples were supplied to the pro-Japanese countries of [[Thailand]], [[Manchukuo]] and [[Wang Jingwei Government]] as well. The Thai units sometimes fought against the [[United States Army Air Forces|USAAF]] in southern [[China]].{{Fact|date=February 2007}} |
||
Revision as of 16:24, 14 March 2007
The Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa (隼, "Peregrine Falcon") was a single-engined land-based fighter used by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force in World War II. The army designation was "Type 1 Fighter" (一式戦闘機); the Allied codename was Oscar.
The Oscar was designed to be like the Mitsubishi Zero, but it was more lightweight and was even less rugged than its Navy counterpart. It was known for its nimble handling and legendary for its performance in East Asia in the early years of the war. It was designed by Hideo Itokawa, who would later become famous as a pioneer of Japanese rocketry.
History
The Ki-43 was the most widely-used Army fighter, and equipped 30 sentai (groups) and 12 chutais (squadrons). The first version, Mark I, entered service in 1941, the Mark II in December 1942, the II-Kai in June 1943, and the Mark IIIa in the summer of 1944.
Like the Zero, the Ki-43 initially enjoyed air superiority in the skies of Malaya, Netherlands East Indies, Burma and New Guinea. This was partly to do with the better performance of the Japanese fighters and the small numbers of Allied fighters in Asia and the Pacfiic when war began. However, as the war progressed, the plane suffered from the same weaknesses as the Ki-41 and the Mitsubishi Zero; a lack of armor and self-sealing tanks, which caused the plane to catch on fire when hit. As newer Allied planes were introduced, such as the Vought Corsair and the Hellcat, the Japanese were forced into a defensive war and most planes were flown by inexperienced pilots.
The Ki-43 also served in an air defense role over Formosa, Okinawa and the Japanese home islands. Some examples were supplied to the pro-Japanese countries of Thailand, Manchukuo and Wang Jingwei Government as well. The Thai units sometimes fought against the USAAF in southern China.[citation needed]
After the war some examples served in limited numbers in the French Air Force in Indochina against communist rebels.
![[icon]](/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. |
Versions
- Ki-43 (prototypes)
- Ki-43 operative prototypes
- Ki-43 Ia Hayabusa Fighter Type 1 of Army (Mark 1)
- Ki-43 Ib (Mark Ib) one machine gun Ho-103 of 12.7 mm and one machine gun type 89 of 7.7 mm
- Ki-43 Ic (Mark Ic) two machine guns Ho-103 of 12.7 mm
- Ki-43 II (prototypes)
- Ki-43 II evaluative models
- Ki-43 IIa (Mark 2a) ability to carry up to 500 kg of bombs
- Ki-43 IIb (Mark 2b) radio equipment added
- Ki-43 II KAI modifications in cell structure
- Ki-43 III (Mark 3a) prototypes -engine Nakajima Ha-115-II of 1,230 hp (920 kW)
- Ki-43 IIIa (Mark 3a) series model
- Ki-43 IIIb (Mark 3b) armed with 20 mm cannons
- Ki-62 Project -Advanced interceptor version of Nakajima Ki-43 with a powerful engine and armed with 30 or 40 mm cannons.
The total production of the Ki-43 was 5,919 aircraft.
Operators
Wartime
Post-war
France : in Indo-China
Indonesia : Against Dutch colonial rule. On July 29th, 1947, one aircraft from Maguwo Air Force Base was used for bombing Dutch strategic positions in Ambarawa, Salatiga and Semarang. However, Indonesia's Ki-43 failed to fly because of mechanical problems.
.svg){kind=small}
Specifications (Ki-43-II)
General characteristics
- Crew: One
Performance
Armament
- Guns: 2x 12.7-mm synchronized machine guns in the cowl with 250 rounds/gun (400 rpm rate each) or 1x 12.7 mm and 1x 7.7 mm machine gun.
- Bombs: 2x 250 kg (550 lb) bombs
Related content
Related lists List of military aircraft of Japan