Nakajima Ki-84 Hayate

The Nakajima Ki-84 Hayate (Gale) was flown in prototype form in April 1943. The Ki-84 met with immediate approval by Japanese army air force pilots, but was subjected to lengthy service trials which undoubtedly delayed its introduction to combat operations. Production got under way at Nakajima's Ota plant in April 1944, pre-production aircraft having equipped the 22nd Sentai in China the previous month. Immediately afterwards 10 sentais of the Ki-84-I, codenamed 'Frank' by the Allies, were deployed in the Philippines to confront the advancing American forces. In an effort to accelerate production of the new fighter, Nakajima opened up a new line at its Otsonomiya plant. As Boeing B-29 raids began to take their toll of Japanese cities a new 'bomber destroyer', the Ki-84-Ic, was produced with an armament of two nose mounted 20mm cannon and two wing mounted 30mm cannon.

In the last 17 months of war 3,382 aircraft were completed, this despite the B-29 raids and the fact that, owing to such damage at Musashi, Nakajima's engine plant had to be transferred elsewhere.

Engine One 1416kW / 1,900 hp Nakajima Ha 45/11.
Length 32 ft 7 in (9.92 m)
Wing span 36.8 ft (11.21 m)
Height: 3.39 m / 11 ft 1 in
Wing area: 21 sq.m / 226.04 sq ft
Weight empty 5,860 lb (2,660 kg)
Max take-off weight: 3890 kg / 8576 lb
Max speed 390 mph. (630 kph)
Range: 1,080 miles (1,740 km.)
Ceiling: 10500 m / 34450 ft
Armament 2 x 20 mm Ho5 cannon, and 2 x 12.7 mm Ho103 machine-guns
Bomb load 1, 100 lb. (500 kg.)
Seats: 1.

Nakajima Ki-84 Hayate / Frank