Japanese Fighters: The Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa

(To Francesco Sisto)
21/10/24

Il Nakajima Ki-43, Named Hayabusa (peregrine falcon), was an important Japanese fighter aircraft used in World War II.

The main users of the aircraft were – in addition to the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force – the Royal Thai Air Force and the Manchukuo Air Force (a puppet state established by the Japanese Empire in 1932, ed.). The aircraft was built by the Nakajima Aircraft Company and was produced from 1939 to 1945; in total, almost 6000 examples were built.

Il Ki-43 It was conceived and designed by engineer Hideo Itokawa and the first prototype took flight for the first time in January 1939. It is important to point out that the aircraft was conceived to replace the Nakajima Ki-27 (used in the Second Sino-Japanese War).

Initially the results of the Ki-43 were not brilliant. In fact, it was more difficult to maneuver than the Ki-27 and the speed was, substantially, similar. Later, adjustments and improvements were made to the vehicle and the results were positive.

Military technicians hoped that the Ki-43 could compete if not surpass the Mitsubishi A6M Zero of the Navy (see article "Japanese Fighters in World War II: The Mitsubishi A6M (Zero)") but theHayabusa "It proved to be its equal only in terms of handling".

However, the latest versions – technically – were able to offer an overall performance no less than the Zero.1

Il Nakajima Ki-43 – appointed Oscar by the Allies - entered active service in October 1941, and initially proved to be clearly superior to enemy fighter aircraft. However, with the arrival of new Allied aircraft (e.g. the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, Vought F4U Corsair, Grumman F6F Hellcat, Supermarine Spitfire and many others) the initial advantage began to wane. In the last period of the war – from 1944 – many Ki-43 were used as kamikazes.

Subsequently, after the conflict, the aircraft was used by the Chinese Air Force (Kuomintang), the People's Liberation Army Air Force, the French Air Force, the Indonesian Air Force and the North Korean Air Force.

Il Nakajima Ki-43 (IIb) had a wingspan of 10,84 m, height 3,27 m and length of 8,92 m.

The empty weight was 1910 kg, while fully loaded 2590 kg.

Engine: 1 x 115-cylinder Nakajima Ha-14, 1200 hp.

The maximum speed was 530 km/h at 4000 m, the cruising speed was 440 km/h and the service ceiling was 11200 m.

Armament consisted of two 103 mm Ho-12,7 machine guns. In addition, the aircraft was capable of carrying 2 x 30 kg bombs or 2 x 250 kg bombs.

1 See G. Bonacina, The Hayabusa Fighter, in Illustrated History n°191, 1973, p.164

Photo: web