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Nakajima Ki 43 Hayabusa (Peregrine Falcon)

Discussion in 'Axis Fighter Planes' started by Spitfire XIV-E, Aug 1, 2007.

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  1. Spitfire XIV-E

    Spitfire XIV-E New Member

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    The Nakajima Ki 43 Hayabusa (Allied Codename : Oscar) was the master of the Pacific skies along with the IJN's Zero in the early part of the war. It took the Allies time to counter the threat as there was nothing that could really match it for a while. The Allies had to learn to fight the Oscar using slashing hit & run tactics until better fighters became available. It was the standard IJAAF fighter until late 1943 when many units started switching to the Ki 84 Frank. But some fighter units carried on with the Oscar until the end of the war. Unfortunately the design's shortcomings started to show themselves once it was pitted against the F6F Hellcat, F4U Corsair, P38 Lightning & P47 Thunderbolt as it was even less well armoured than the Zero and casualties began to mount as many were simply shot down in flames because of the poor protection offered to Fuel Tanks and other vital parts of the aircraft.




    [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]


    Left to Right. Ki 43 IIa, Ki 43 II & Ki 43 IIb
     

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