Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa ("Oscar")

[Tyrannis]

For use in various special events, please add the Ki-43. 

At over 5900 produced, it was the most numerous of all the planes used by the IJA, and served on every front, right to the end of the war.

The Tillamook Air Museum has what is likely the world's only remaining airworthy example:

(Image removed from quote.)

How strong was the airframe?...


From just looking at it, it looks like you could snap the tail right off it if you came in for a rough landing.

[Karnak]

How strong was the airframe?...


From just looking at it, it looks like you could snap the tail right off it if you came in for a rough landing.

I can show you footage of an F6F snapping its tail off on landing.


The Ki-43 was not structurally strong, known to break up in the air from .50 fire.  G force wise it will be fine as it is a light aircraft, but it would be the most fragile aircraft in the game when it comes to taking fire.  The exception here is that the Ki-43-II had pilot armor and rudimentary self sealing tanks and the Ki-43-III had real self sealing tanks.

[PJ_Godzilla]

How strong was the airframe?...


From just looking at it, it looks like you could snap the tail right off it if you came in for a rough landing.

Funny, I see that in the gear strut sizing. It's got some of the spindliest looking gear I've ever seen - and that means either a light airframe or a design condition that assumes the pilot is setting it down gently. In the case of the Japanese, I'd expect the former.

[nrshida]

I once saw an interview with a Japanese wartime pilot of the Ki-43 who wasn't very complimentary about the aircraft at all but explained it was what they had to work with so they got on with it.

I'm currently trying to find the video again...

[HighTone]

  The exception here is that the Ki-43-II had pilot armor and rudimentary self sealing tanks and the Ki-43-III had real self sealing tanks.

It would be nice if we got the I and the III. Would fill it out nicely.

[Karnak]

It would be nice if we got the I and the III. Would fill it out nicely.

I, II and III are all needed.

[Krusty]

Where, exactly, and during what time frame, would the Ki-43-III play a role in a potential scenario or FSO?

I think I know the answer already from previous discussions. It wasn't even built until December of 1944, and its main claim to fame is some limited fighting over Burma(?) and homeland defense where better planes had already replaced it.

[Karnak]

Where, exactly, and during what time frame, would the Ki-43-III play a role in a potential scenario or FSO?

I think I know the answer already from previous discussions. It wasn't even built until December of 1944, and its main claim to fame is some limited fighting over Burma(?) and homeland defense where better planes had already replaced it.

You were shown that you were wrong on that, stop lying.  It was in combat before Dec. 1944.

[Krusty]

No, 10 limited preproduction models were tested in combat before that. Actual production lines of the aircraft did NOT begin until December. YOU were proven wrong on that.

[Ack-Ack]

You were shown that you were wrong on that, stop lying.  It was in combat before Dec. 1944.

No, 10 limited preproduction models were tested in combat before that. Actual production lines of the aircraft did NOT begin until December. YOU were proven wrong on that.

The 48th Hiko Sentai received their Ki-43 IIIs in August of 1944.
The 64th Sentai received their Ki-43 IIIs in September of 1944.
The 54th Hiko Sentai received their Ki-43 IIIs in October of 1944.
The 33rd Hiko Sentai received their Ki-43 IIIs in November of 1944.

The first deliveries of the Ki-43 III to these units were not pre-production test models but actual production models straight from the factories.

ack-ack

[Wmaker]

Where, exactly, and during what time frame, would the Ki-43-III play a role in a potential scenario or FSO?

For example battle of the Philippines where allied forces retook the islands. Ki-43-IIIs saw significant use during the fighting.

[Wmaker]

[Karnak]

No, 10 limited preproduction models were tested in combat before that. Actual production lines of the aircraft did NOT begin until December. YOU were proven wrong on that.

Given you have provided no supporting evidence beyond "Krusty said so" I can't accept your statement.  Come back with evidence and try again.  While you're at it, look at the evidence supplied elsewhere.

[Wmaker]

[nrshida]

Another gem from Krusty's Imaginarium