Nakajima Ki-43 II Hayabusa

The Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa (Falcon), known in the Allies' code name "Oscar", was Japan's equivalent of the Spitfire and the Messerschmitt Bf-109.
It was a core part of the Imperial Japanese Army Aviation throughout World War II and was improved and produced in successive versions throughout that period.
Although it remained somewhat in the shadow of the Mitsubishi "Zero" naval aircraft, which was famous on the Pacific front for its spectacular carrier battles, the Hayabusa played an important role in the battles over the Asian continent: over China, Burma, Malaya, but also over the Philippines and New Guinea.
There it fought successfully against the air forces of China, the USA, Great Britain, Australia and the Netherlands and made a major contribution to the first major victories of the Japanese.
The Ki-43 was developed in the late 1930s at the Nakajima plant under the leadership of Hideo Itokawa, based on the experience gained with the highly successful Ki-27 aircraft, which had proved to be excellent in combat over China. The design of the Ki-43 was based on the specific concept of a light aircraft with excellent maneuverability and climbing ability, as well as good speed, which was achieved at the expense of a rather fragile structure, weak armament and practically no armor.
This corresponded to the Japanese doctrine of demanding maneuver combat, which required masterful training and great courage of the pilots. Interestingly, the Hayabusa was powered by the same engine as the "Zero".
In the early stages of the war, when the Japanese armies conquered more and more areas of Southeast Asia, the Ki-43 was no match for its opponents, effortlessly defeating Hurricanes or Buffalos.
Later, however, the "Oscars" became increasingly obsolete and their lightweight construction did not allow for major improvements.
From 1944 they began to be replaced in the main production lines and in combat units by the excellent Ki-84 Hayate, but their production was maintained until the end of the war and they were also used in combat, including in kamikaze units.

Plastic model kit
 

• Paint masks
• Decals with 3 marking variants
• Free 3D file for self-printing - QR code and link in the kit instructions

3D file contains:

• Exhaust pipes - two types
• Pilot seat and seat belts
• Gun barrels
• Oil coolers
• Fuel coolers

Marking options:

• Nakajima Ki-43 II Hayabusa, 59th Hiko-Sentai, 3rd Hutai, New Guinea 1943-44
• Nakajima Ki-43 II Hayabusa, 54th Hiko-Sentai, 2nd Hutai, Pilot: Capt Hisashi Koshiishi, Paramushir, Kuriles 1944
• Nakajima Ki-43 II Hayabusa, Hiko Dai 71 Sentai training aircraft, Hofu Airfield, Japan, late 1944

Scale 1:72

unbuilt / unpainted

Paint and glue not included