« previous next »
Pages: [1] 2   Go Down

Author Topic: Last flying Ki-84  (Read 2988 times)

Offline Widewing

  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 8800
Last flying Ki-84
« on: July 24, 2014, 09:04:04 PM »
It belonged to Ed Maloney at the California Air Museum (later, Planes of Fame). Maloney managed to get it airworthy. It was sold to a Japanese museum when Maloney needed cash. It wasn't popular at air shows, and the cash was needed. Unfortunately, the buyer didn't bother to ask Nakajima how to remove the wings to transport it through narrow Japanese streets. So, they cut off the wings with power tools. Later, they were reattached and reinforced. However, the Hayate was destined never to fly again.

This video was made from 8mm film shot around 1965, give or take. It shows the Ki-84 being flown, along with a P-26 and a P-51 that made a landing with the wheels up (mostly). No sound, but still worth watching....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8waXqQoBri4
« Last Edit: July 24, 2014, 09:08:13 PM by Widewing »
Logged
My regards,

Widewing

YGBSM. Retired Member of Aces High Trainer Corps, Past President of the DFC, retired from flying as Tredlite.

Offline Cthulhu

  • Gold Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2463
Re: Last flying Ki-84
« Reply #1 on: July 24, 2014, 09:47:56 PM »
Seriously? Power tools? They take a sawz-all to it?
Logged
"Think of Tetris as a metaphor for life:  You spend all your time trying to find a place for your long thin piece, then when you finally do, everything you've built disappears"

Offline Gman

  • Gold Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3731
Re: Last flying Ki-84
« Reply #2 on: July 24, 2014, 10:33:23 PM »
Great footage.  Is it me or does the ki seem longer in real life so opposed to seeing it In game?  Sure looks smooth in the air taking off.  What a shame it had to be sold.
Logged

Offline Ack-Ack

  • Radioactive Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 25260
      • FlameWarriors
Re: Last flying Ki-84
« Reply #3 on: July 24, 2014, 10:39:25 PM »
I guess since it wasn't as widely known as the Zeke, I could see where it wouldn't be a popular plane at air shows.  Sad though.

ack-ack
Logged
"If Jesus came back as an airplane, he would be a P-38." - WW2 P-38 pilot
Elite Top Aces +1 Mexican Official Squadron Song

Offline Slash27

  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 12795
Re: Last flying Ki-84
« Reply #4 on: July 25, 2014, 03:02:21 AM »


I assume this is her. She's wearing this same paint scheme in the museum.

Logged

Offline -ammo-

  • Platinum Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 5124
Re: Last flying Ki-84
« Reply #5 on: July 25, 2014, 11:20:35 AM »
That is an awesome film -  thanks for sharing :salute
Logged
Commanding Officer, 56 Fighter Group
Retired USAF - 1988 - 2011

Offline GScholz

  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 8910
Re: Last flying Ki-84
« Reply #6 on: July 25, 2014, 11:29:40 AM »
The war was probably too fresh in peoples' minds for them to enjoy the sight of it. Sad but understandable.
Logged
"With the first link, the chain is forged. The first speech censored, the first thought forbidden, the first freedom denied, chains us all irrevocably."

Offline nrshida

  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 8602
Re: Last flying Ki-84
« Reply #7 on: July 25, 2014, 11:42:32 AM »
You can't remove the wings on the Ki-84 they are an integral part of the centre section of the fuselage. There's a separation bulkhead just behind the cockpit they could have removed the tail and turned it 90 degrees but then I think the intention might have been to let it slowly degrade in the museum and never fly again.

Great video Widewing, thank you.  :salute


Logged
"If man were meant to fly, he'd have been given an MS Sidewinder"

Offline nrshida

  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 8602
Re: Last flying Ki-84
« Reply #8 on: July 25, 2014, 11:53:01 AM »
Quote from: Slash27 on July 25, 2014, 03:02:21 AM
I assume this is her. She's wearing this same paint scheme in the museum.

Yes it is Slash. Only one left.

How are you old chap, still flying the Hayate like a boss?

Logged
"If man were meant to fly, he'd have been given an MS Sidewinder"

Offline Slash27

  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 12795
Re: Last flying Ki-84
« Reply #9 on: July 25, 2014, 11:14:41 PM »
No sir, I called it quits on AH. Might come come back someday, seeing the Hayate gets the old fire stoked a bit. :D
Logged

Offline nrshida

  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 8602
Re: Last flying Ki-84
« Reply #10 on: July 29, 2014, 09:59:23 AM »
I think I've posted this picture before but this is essentially one section with no semi-permanent joins:






Quote from: Slash27 on July 25, 2014, 11:14:41 PM
No sir, I called it quits on AH. Might come come back someday, seeing the Hayate gets the old fire stoked a bit. :D

AH's loss. Well I hope you are enjoying your new hobbies and are well old chap  :salute

Logged
"If man were meant to fly, he'd have been given an MS Sidewinder"

Offline Slash27

  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 12795
Re: Last flying Ki-84
« Reply #11 on: July 31, 2014, 06:00:40 PM »
Thanks buddy, hope to get a few DA rounds in with you again someday. :salute
Logged

Offline Wmaker

  • Platinum Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 5743
      • Lentolaivue 34 website
Re: Last flying Ki-84
« Reply #12 on: August 01, 2014, 04:17:32 AM »
Quote from: Widewing on July 24, 2014, 09:04:04 PM
Unfortunately, the buyer didn't bother to ask Nakajima how to remove the wings to transport it through narrow Japanese streets. So, they cut off the wings with power tools. Later, they were reattached and reinforced. However, the Hayate was destined never to fly again.

It did fly after returning to Japan. It did suffer years of neglect after Mr.Gokan (the "first" Japanese buyer) died. Based on the Aero Detail #24 the wings were probably severed as late as early 1990's to make storage easier!! :uhoh :cry

You would've thought that in the 90s people would have realized what they had in their hands...  :(
Logged
Wmaker
Lentolaivue 34

Thank you for the Brewster HTC!

Offline Brooke

  • Aces High CM Staff
  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 15559
      • http://www.electraforge.com/brooke/
Re: Last flying Ki-84
« Reply #13 on: August 19, 2014, 05:04:21 PM »
Thanks for the link.

Also, wow, what a great landing the P-51 pilot did with gear malfunction.
Logged

Offline Rich46yo

  • Platinum Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 7358
Re: Last flying Ki-84
« Reply #14 on: August 20, 2014, 03:47:40 PM »
Yeah, beautiful piece of film. Totally enjoyed it. :aok
Logged
"flying the aircraft of the Red Star"
Pages: [1] 2   Go Up
« previous next »