Nakajima Ki-84-Ia Type 4 Fighter Hayate (Frank)

From The Air Combat Wiki

Contents 1 Fighter Ace Screenshots 2 Fighter Ace Ratings 3 Fighter Ace Performance 4 Historical Statistics 5 Strengths 6 Weaknesses 7 History 8 Sources 9 See Also

Fighter Ace Screenshots

Fighter Ace museum screenshot by Doug@HQ	Fighter Ace museum screenshot by Doug@HQ	Fighter Ace museum screenshot by Doug@HQ	Fighter Ace museum screenshot by Doug@HQ
Fighter Ace museum screenshot by Doug@HQ	Fighter Ace museum screenshot by Doug@HQ	Fighter Ace museum screenshot by Doug@HQ

Fighter Ace Ratings

Durability: 3

Speed: 8

Maneuverability: 6

Firepower: 5

Climb Rate: 6

Ground Attack: 3

Fighter Ace Performance

Top Speeds						Climb Rates
	Sea Level	4921' 1500m	9843' 3000m	19685' 6000m	Best Speed	Best IAS	to 1000m	to 3000m	to 6000m
mph	366	383	388	415	416@ 20013'	183 mph	0:55	2:40	5:47
kph	589	616	624	668	669@ 6100m	295 kph

Historical Statistics

Service Date: June 1944

Primary Guns: 2x Ho-103 Type 1 12.7 mm machine guns with 350 rpg in cowl

Secondary Guns: 2x Ho-5 Type 1 20 mm cannon with 150 rpg in wings

Ordnance: 2x 220 lb (100 kg) or 2x 550 lb (250 kg) bombs or 2x 317 lb (144 kg) drop tanks

Engine(s): 1x Nakajima Ha.45/21 Type 4 radial rated for 1,990 hp at sea level (2,050 hp with WEP)

Int Fuel Capacity: 1,297 lbs (588 kg)

Ext Fuel Capacity: 634 lbs (288 kg)

Maximum Speeds: 415 mph (668 kph) at 20,080 ft (6,120 m)

Ceiling: 34,450 ft (10,500 m)

Loaded Weight: 7,965 lbs (3,613 kg)

Wing Area: 226 sq ft (21 sq m)

Wing Loading: 35.2 lbs/sq ft (172.0 kg/sq m)

Strengths

Speed: Though not quite as fast as the Allied planes of its time, the Frank-Ia is the fastest Japanese fighter in the game.

Weaknesses

Ground Attack: With a capacity of only two 550 lb. bombs, the Frank-Ia is a less capable fighter-bomber than contemporary planes.

History

Ki-43s were only just starting to see action when the Koku Hombu ordered Nakajima to develop a replacement. The specifications called for a top speed of at least 640 kph (398 mph) and range long enough to allow it to operate at combat settings for 1 1/2 hours 400 km from base. Provision for pilot armor and self-sealing fuel tanks was required and the armament was to consist of a pair of 12.7 mm Ho-103 machine guns in the cowl and a pair of 20 mm Ho-5 cannon in the wings.

Design work began in early 1942 and in April 1943 the first prototype, powered by the 18-cylinder Ha-45 radial engine, took to the air. Testing proceeded smoothly and by June the first machines were handed over to the JAAF for Service Trials. Pilots by now were recognizing the value of speed and durability and although the top speed was a bit lower than required, at 624 kph (388 mph) it was the best plane the Army had available for immediate production.

Eighty-three pre-production machines were built between August 1943 and March 1944, with minor changes to the structure being made throughout the process. Upon completion of Service Trials the Ministry of Munitions ordered the plane into production as the Ki-84-Ia Hayate (Gale). A second batch of pre-production machines was then started with the final changes to the airframe structure, which included a rack under each wing capable of carrying a 300 liter drop tank or a 250 kg. bomb. The experimental Chutai, which had operated the Ki-84 during Service Trials, was disbanded with most members being used to form the 22nd Sentai, which was equipped with Hayates and shipped to China to face off against Chenault's 14th Air Force.

Five weeks after being sent to China, the 22nd Sentai was transferred to the Philippines where they joined five other Hayate Sentais in head-to-head combat with the best Allied fighters of the time. Quickly dubbed the "Frank" by the Allies, it was found to be slower than the P-51s and P-47s it faced, but could climb and turn much quicker than either American fighter and was therefore considered a formidable opponent. However, the engine was difficult to maintain and the hydraulic system suffered from sudden failures. This combined with a weak main gear that often collapsed on landing, caused by poor manufacturing standards, to render many aircraft unserviceable without even having seen action.

Sources

Francillon, Rene J.; Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War; Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, MD; 1979.

Green, William; Warplanes of the Second World War, Fighters, Volume Three; Hanover House, Garden City, NY; 1960.

Green, William; Famous Fighters of the Second World War; Hanover House, Garden City, NY; 1960.

Famous Airplanes of the World, No. 19, Army Type 4 Fighter "Hayate"; Bunrindo, Tokyo, Japan; 1989.

Military Magazine "Maru" Editorial Desk; Mechanism of Military Aircraft, No. 7, "Hayate" / Type 97 Heavy Bomber / Type 2 Flying-boat; Kojinsha, Tokyo, Japan; 1999.

Nozawa, Tadashi; Encyclopedia of Japanese Aircraft 1900-1945, Vol.5, Nakajima Aircrafts; Shuppan-Kyodo Publishers, Tokyo, Japan; 1983.

Human Acts in the History, Pacific War Series, Vol. 46, Type 4 Fighter "Hayate"; Gakken, Tokyo, Japan; 2004.

Human Acts in the History, Pacific War Series, Vol. 31, Experimental Fighters of Army and Navy; Gakken, Tokyo, Japan; 2001.

See Also

Nakajima Hikoki K.K.

Aircraft Manufacturers During World War II

Japanese Aircraft Designation System

Fighter Ace Planes Inventory