×
Aircraft / Aviation Vehicles & Artillery Small Arms Warships & Submarines Military Ranks Military Pay Chart (2024) Special Forces
HOME
AVIATION INDEX
MODERN AIR FORCES
AIRCRAFT BY COUNTRY
AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURERS
COMPARE AIRCRAFT
AIRCRAFT BY CONFLICT
AIRCRAFT BY TYPE
AIRCRAFT BY DECADE
COLD WAR AIRCRAFT
FRENCH-INDOCHINA WAR AIRCRAFT
WWII AIRCRAFT
Aviation / Aerospace

Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa (Oscar)


Fighter / Interceptor Aircraft [ 1942 ]



Production of the Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa fighter for Japan was topped only by the Mitsubishi A6M Zero series during World War 2.



Authored By: Martin Foray | Last Edited: 05/10/2016 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

VIEW SPECIFICATIONS [+]
By 1937, it became apparent to the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) that a more modern replacement for the Nakajima Ki-27 was needed. The Ki-27 (Allied codename of "Nate") began a private venture design by Hideo Nakajima himself, after an invitation by the IJA to supply a modern fighter in 1935 with all-metal stressed skin. The type was of a monoplane design with an enclosed cockpit and lightweight yet was fielded with a fixed undercarriage and a tail skid, no pilot armoring nor self-sealing fuel tanks and required an external unit for starting. At the time of its inception, the Ki-27 became the first Japanese monoplane to achieve operational service with the military. While fighting on until the end of the war in 1945, Nates were quickly withdrawn from direct contact against the more modern Western fighters as they were wholly outclassed.

The IJA went straight to the Nakajima Aircraft Company once more and Mr. Nakajima took on the new requirement and delivered a promising prototype. As in the Ki-27 "Nate" before it, the new design was kept lightweight to make for a more maneuverable mount. As such, important facets such as pilot armor and self-sealing fuel tanks were once again dropped from the equation. Armament consisted of just a pairing of 2 x 7.7mm Type 97 machine guns firing from the upper engine cowl and synchronized to fire through the spinning propeller blades. 250 rounds of ammunition were afforded to a machine gun. Flight tests of the new fighter began in 1939 but soon proved the overall design something of a disappointment, forcing a halt to all further development for the time being. It was not until 1941 that the design was revisited and revised to make up for the inherent deficiencies. The wing surface area was enlarged and the addition of combat flaps helped in maneuverability to the point that the modified airframe proved to have excellent turning capabilities, promising to content with the best Allied fighters that could be fielded. The fighter was formally designated as the Ki-43 "Hayabusa" (meaning "Peregrine Falcon") and accepted into service with the IJA. Serial production of the new mount occurred in June of 1941 and the type entered service shortly thereafter as the Ki-43-Ia.

Outwardly, the Ki-43 was a highly conventional aircraft and, in some ways, decidedly Japanese in origin. She sported fine contoured lines making for an elegant design. The engine was fitted well-forward in the thin fuselage and covered over in a nicely rounded cowling. The spinner was noticeably protruding from the engine compartment and powered a three-bladed propeller system. The cockpit sat just behind the engine and just ahead of amidships. The fuselage tapered off to a point and the empennage was highly conventional in its use of a single vertical tail fin and applicable horizontal planes - all well-rounded at the edges. Wings were set ahead of amidships and initially rounded at the tips. The undercarriage was wholly retractable and featured two main landing gear legs and a diminutive tail wheel (the tail wheel remained exposed in flight). The main legs retracted inwards towards centerline under each wing near the wing roots and were exposed to the elements along one side (the main legs were not covered over by door panels in flight).

Once in service, the Ki-43 proved a capable adversary despite the lack of formidable firepower. In true Allied fashion, the fighter was assigned the codename of "Oscar" to follow suit with other Japanese aircraft names ("Nate", "Sally", "Zeke", etc.... Her turning capability ensured the aircraft would become one of the most feared of the Japanese fighters for a portion of the Pacific War. Her inherent success extended beyond the machine itself for the Ki-43 would go on to produce many of the admired Japanese aces of her time. The ki-43-Ia was followed into service by the Ki-43-Ib which was interestingly armed with 1 x 12.7mm Ho-103 heavy machine gun and 1 x 7.7mm Type 97 machine gun. The Ki-43-Ic came next and was fittingly armed with 2 x 12.7mm Ho-103 heavy machine guns.©MilitaryFactory.com
It was only after more modern Allied fighters appeared that the Ki-43 design was addressed once more. This time, Nakajima saw fit to add the all-important self-sealing fuel tanks as well as armor near the cockpit - two standard design features to be found on Allied warplanes. A more powerful engine was also eventually added to help increase the lethality of the Ki-43 series and the wings were now noticeably clipped. All these changes went on to produce the much improved Ki-43-II series in the family line.

The Ki-43-IIa sported provisions for the carrying of 2 x 551lb bombs under the wings. The Ki-43-IIb had radio equipment installed in the cockpit and was powered by a Nakajima Ha-115 14-cylinder, air-cooled radial piston engine delivering 1,150 horsepower. This supplied the airframe with a top speed of 329 miles per hour (cruise speed = 273mph), a range of 1,095 miles and a service ceiling of 36,750 feet. The Ki-43-KAI was given ejector exhaust stacks.

The final important mark became the Ki-43-III series. Prototypes were given the Nakajima Ha-115-II series engine of 1,230 horsepower and increased their operational range by the addition of 2 x 45 gallon drop tanks. The Ki-43-IIIa was the main production mark and was followed by the Ki-43-IIIb that was armed with 20mm cannons over the original machine gun suite.

One other notable Ki-43 variant became the Ki-62 "Project" which was nothing more than a highly modified Ki-43 for the dedicated interceptor role. This version sported and even more powerful engine and could be armed with either 30mm or 40mm cannons as required.

The Ki-43 proved her worth throughout all of World War 2. After her service in the active Pacific Theater was limited to the area around the Japanese islands, the aircraft was utilized as an interceptor for homeland defense, particularly of the national capital of Tokyo. Some Ki-43 airframes were also set aside for use in the lethal, yet suicidal, kamikaze runs against Allied ships in the Pacific.

In all, some 5,919 examples of Ki-43 Hayabusa fighters were produced from 1942 to 1945, making her the most-produced IJA fighter and following only the Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" in terms of overall production. The type was officially retired from Japanese service in 1945 with the end of the war but soldiered on in the Chinese inventory (post-war) up until 1952. Other wartime operators included Manchukuo and Thailand with additional post-war operators being France, Indonesia and North Korea. The French utilized Ki-43 models in the Indochina War against Viet Minh rebel elements - though these were captured examples painted in the colors of the French Air Force and used primarily in the ground attack role. Similarly, the North Korean Hayabusas were also captured post-war remnants as were the Indonesian mounts - the latter against Dutch forces in an effort to end colonial rule.©MilitaryFactory.com
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.

Specifications



Nakajima - Imperial Japan
Manufacturer(s)
China; France; Indonesia; Imperial Japan; Manchukuo; Thailand; North Korea
Operators National flag of China National flag of France National flag of Indonesia National flag of modern Japan National flag of North Korea National flag of Thailand
1942
Service Year
Imperial Japan
National Origin
1
Crew
5,919
Units


AIR-TO-AIR COMBAT
General ability to actively engage other aircraft of similar form and function, typically through guns, missiles, and/or aerial rockets.
INTERCEPTION
Ability to intercept inbound aerial threats by way of high-performance, typically speed and rate-of-climb.


29.3 ft
(8.92 meters)
Length
35.6 ft
(10.84 meters)
Width/Span
10.7 ft
(3.27 meters)
Height
4,211 lb
(1,910 kilograms)
Empty Weight
6,449 lb
(2,925 kilograms)
Maximum Take-Off Weight
+2,238 lb
(+1,015 kg)
Weight Difference


1 x Nakajima Ha-115 air-cooled radial piston engine developing 1,150 horsepower.
Propulsion
329 mph
(530 kph | 286 knots)
Max Speed
36,745 ft
(11,200 m | 7 miles)
Ceiling
1,094 miles
(1,760 km | 950 nm)
Range
3,900 ft/min
(1,189 m/min)
Rate-of-Climb


MACH Regime (Sonic)
Sub
Trans
Super
Hyper
HiHyper
ReEntry
RANGES (MPH) Subsonic: <614mph | Transonic: 614-921 | Supersonic: 921-3836 | Hypersonic: 3836-7673 | Hi-Hypersonic: 7673-19180 | Reentry: >19030


STANDARD:
2 x 7.7mm Type 97 machine guns (Ki-43-Ia)
1 x 12.7mm Ho-103 and 1 x 7.7mm Type 97 machine gun (Ki-43Ib).
2 x 12.7mm Ho-103 machine guns (Ki-43-Ic)
2 x 20mm cannons (Ki-43-IIIb)

OPTIONAL:
2 x 550lb bombs (Ki-43-IIa)


2
Hardpoints


Ki-43 - Designation for prototypes and evaluation models.
Ki-43-Ia - Fitted with 2 x 7.7mm Type 97 machine guns.
Ki-43-Ib - Fitted with 1 x 12.7mm Ho-103 machine gun and 1 x 7.7mm Type 97 machine gun.
Ki-43-Ic - Fitted with 2 x 12.7mm Ho-103 machine guns.
Ki-43-II - Designation used for improved prototype and developmental models.
Ki-43-IIa - Provision added for 500kg of external ordnance.
Ki-43-IIb - Equipped with Radio Communications Capability.
Ki-43-II-KAI - Modified Ki-43-II series with ejector exhaust stacks.
Ki-43-III - Prototype Models fitted with Nakajima Ha-115-II powerplants of 1,230 horsepower.
Ki-43-IIIa - Main Production Designation
Ki-43-IIIb - Fitted with 20mm cannons
Ki-62 (Project) - Advanced Interceptor Model; improved powerplant; 40mm cannons.
Mark I - Japanese Army Designation of Ki-43-Ia model series.
Mark Ib - Japanese Army Designation of Ki-43-Ib model series.
Mark Ic - Japanese Army Designation of Ki-43-Ic model series.
Mark 2a - Japanese Army Designation of Ki-43-IIa model series.
Mark 2b - Japanese Army Designation of Ki-43-IIb model series.
Mark 3a - Japanese Army Designation of Ki-43-III model series.


Military lapel ribbon for Operation Allied Force
Military lapel ribbon for the Arab-Israeli War
Military lapel ribbon for the Battle of Britain
Military lapel ribbon for the Battle of Midway
Military lapel ribbon for the Berlin Airlift
Military lapel ribbon for the Chaco War
Military lapel ribbon for the Cold War
Military lapel ribbon for the Cuban Missile Crisis
Military lapel ribbon for pioneering aircraft
Military lapel ribbon for the Falklands War
Military lapel ribbon for the French-Indochina War
Military lapel ribbon for the Golden Age of Flight
Military lapel ribbon for the 1991 Gulf War
Military lapel ribbon for the Indo-Pak Wars
Military lapel ribbon for the Iran-Iraq War
Military lapel ribbon for the Korean War
Military lapel ribbon for the 1982 Lebanon War
Military lapel ribbon for the Malayan Emergency
Military lapel ribbon representing modern aircraft
Military lapel ribbon for the attack on Pearl Harbor
Military lapel ribbon for the Six Day War
Military lapel ribbon for the Soviet-Afghan War
Military lapel ribbon for the Spanish Civil War
Military lapel ribbon for Special Forces
Military lapel ribbon for the Suez Crisis
Military lapel ribbon for the Ukranian-Russian War
Military lapel ribbon for the Vietnam War
Military lapel ribbon for Warsaw Pact of the Cold War-era
Military lapel ribbon for the WASP (WW2)
Military lapel ribbon for the World War 1
Military lapel ribbon for the World War 2
Military lapel ribbon for the Yom Kippur War
Military lapel ribbon for experimental x-plane aircraft

Images



1 / 1
Image of the Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa (Oscar)
Left side view of the Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa / Oscar fighter at rest

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

2024 Military Pay Chart Military Ranks DoD Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols

The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content; site is 100% curated by humans.

Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org (World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft), WDMMW.org (World Directory of Modern Military Warships), SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane, and MilitaryRibbons.info, cataloguing military medals and ribbons. Special Interest: RailRoad Junction, the locomotive encyclopedia.


©2023 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-2023 (20yrs)