Nakajima Ki-84 Hayate

Hayate¹ codenamed 'Frank' by the Allies is generally regarded as the best Japanese fighter of the World War II period. Though Hayate was primarily used as a fighter it served in bomber capacity as well. Due to it's advanced direct-injection engine Hayate was able to outmaneuver and outclimb it's American counterparts, the P-47N Thunderbolt and the P-51H Mustang.

Ki-84 was not without problems. Due to the war time shortages and increasingly poorer quality control meant that Japanese pilots never knew how their plane was going to behave. For instance poor treatment of the high-strength steel meant that the landing gear could simply snap upon landing.

Several advanced models were introduced. Ki-84-II and Ki-106 were attempts to build the Hyate using wood as the steel shortages were extreme during the war. Ha-45 and Ha-44 were fitted with a 2,000 and 2,500 HP engine.

A total of 3,514 Hayates were produced. Used over China and Phillipines, in 1944-1945.


Stats

Origin     : Nakajima Hikoki KK
Type       : Sing-seat fighter-bomber
Engine     : IN production models one 1,900HP Nakajima Homare 
             Ha-45 Model 11 18-cylinder two-tow radial
Dimensions : Span - 11.2m; length  - 9.92m; height - 3.39m
Weights    : Empty 2680kg; normal loaded 3750 kg; maximum overload 4150kg
Performance: Maximum speed 624km/h; initial climb 1100m/min; service ceiling
             10,500m; range on internal fuel 1650km;
             with external 98-galon tanks 2920km
Armament   : in la model - two 20mm Ho-5 in wings, each
             with 150 rounds and two 12.7mm type 103 in 
             top of fuselage with 350 rounds. in lb model
             four 20mm, each with 150 rounds. two in 
             wings and two in fuselage. lc model two 20mm 
             in fuselage and two 30mm Ho-105 cannon in
             wings. All models had two racks under outer 
             wings for tanks or bombs up to 250kg each.

¹Hyate is Japanese for Hurricane.