PUZZLES!
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Nakajima Japanese aircraft models.
The common names used in reference to the aircraft were Allied code names. Meaning, rather than saying there were 10 Hayate aircraft in a particular location, the code name "Frank" was used.
This was so the Japanese (or anyone else listening in to the radio air waves) would not know exactly what kind of plane (or war asset) the name referred to.
Since July 1932 the Nakajima Aircraft Mfg. Company had designed and manufactured for trial (under the name of KI-84) the Fighter Type 4 "Hayate" - code named "Frank".
It made its first campaign over Central China as a member of the 22nd Air Flotilla.
The number of the Nakajima Hayate produced by the end of World War II totaled about 3,500.
This ranks next to that of the Mitsubishi Zero and the Hayabusa but is the largest in the Japanese aircraft history in view of the number produced in about a year.
The performance of the Hayate was equal to, or higher than that of the Allies' fighters of those days.
This was the first Japanese fighter worthy of the name having excellent speed (climbing ability), firepower and maneuverability that became available to the Army.
In the days when Japan feared she might lose command of the skies, even over the mainlands of Japan, the Hayate was called "the Decisive fighter to turn the fate of the Greater East Asia".
It was an accepted fighter with hopes as a new fighter to beat Allied combat planes. |
