De Agostini WWII Fighters DAWF04 Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa/Oscar Diecast Model IJAAF 3rd Chutai, 54th Sentai, Akira Sugimoto, 1943
1:72 Scale   Length   Width Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa/Oscar   4.75"   6"
The Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa was a single-engine land-based tactical fighter used by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force in World War II. The Allied reporting name was "Oscar", but it was often called the "Army Zero" by American pilots because it bore a certain resemblance to the Mitsubishi A6M Zero, the Imperial Japanese Navy's counterpart to the Ki-43. Like the Mitsubishi-produced A6M Zero, the radial-engined Ki-43 was light and easy to fly and became legendary for its combat performance in East Asia in the early years of the war. It could outmaneuver any opponent, but did not have armor or self-sealing tanks, and its armament was poor until its final version, which was produced as late as 1945. Allied pilots often reported that the nimble Ki-43s were difficult targets but burned easily or broke apart with few hits. In spite of its drawbacks, the Ki-43 shot down more Allied aircraft than any other Japanese fighter and almost all the JAAF's aces achieved most of their kills in it.
Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa/Oscar Designed to replace the Nakajima Ki-27, the Ki-43 first flew in January, 1939. Specifications for this aircraft included a top speed of 311 mph and a climb rate of 16,400 feet in five minutes. Widely used as an Army fighter, the Ki-43 claimed air superiority in many Pacific theatres during the early part of the war, but the introduction of more advanced Allied fighters such as the P-51 and the F4U Corsair exposed the Ki-43's dangerous design flaws such as its light armor and ineffective self-sealing fuel tanks. By the end of the war, many surviving Ki-43s were repurposed for Kamikaze roles.
Copyright 2003-2021 The Flying Mule, Inc.
De Agostini WWII Fighters The De Agostini "WWII Fighters" range presents affordable, ready made diecast models of World War II military aircraft in 1:72 scale. To help keep the price down, these items arrive in low-cost, discardable blister type packaging. De Agostini "WWII Fighters" diecast airplanes feature:
Diecast metal and plastic construction.
Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear.
Presentation stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
Copyright 2003-2021 The Flying Mule, Inc.