Nakajima Ki-84

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakajima_Ki-84

The Nakajima Ki-84 Hayate (?84 ??"Gale"?) was a single-seat fighter used by the
Imperial Japanese Army Air Service in World War II. The Allied reporting name
was "Frank"; the Japanese Army designation was Army Type 4 Fighter (?????
yon-shiki-sento-ki?). Featuring excellent performance and high maneuverability,
the Ki-84 was considered to be the best Japanese fighter to see large scale
operations during World War II. It was able to match any Allied fighter, and to
intercept the high-flying B-29 Superfortresses. Its powerful armament (that
could include two 30 mm and two 20 mm cannon) increased its lethality. Though
hampered by poor production quality in later models, a high-maintenance engine,
landing gear prone to buckle, inconsistent fuel quality, and a lack of
experienced pilots above all else, Hayates proved to be fearsome opponents; a
total of 3,514 were built. The Ki-84 was the fastest fighter in the Imperial
Japanese military if good fuel was used and the aircraft was in good shape.


Design of the Ki-84 commenced in early 1942 to meet an Imperial Japanese Army
Air Service requirement for a replacement to Nakajima's own, earlier Ki-43 Oscar
fighter, then just entering service. The specification recognized the need to
combine the maneuverability of the Ki-43 with performance to match the best
western fighters and heavy firepower. The Ki-84 first flew in March 1943 and
deliveries from Nakajima's Ota factory commenced in April 1943. Although the
design itself was solid, the shortage of fuel and construction materials, poor
production quality, and lack of skilled pilots prevented the fighter from
reaching its potential.


Role
Fighter

Manufacturer
Nakajima Aircraft Company

First flight
March 1943

Retired
1945 (Japan)

Primary user
Imperial Japanese Army Air Service

Number built
3,514 [1]

Variants
Nakajima Ki-116

The first major operational involvement was during the battle of Leyte at the
end of 1944, and from that moment until the end of the Pacific war the Ki-84 was
deployed wherever the action was intense. The 22nd Sentai re-equipped with
production Hayates. Though it lacked sufficient high-altitude performance, it
performed well at medium and low levels. Seeing action against the USAAF 14th
Air Force, it quickly gained a reputation as a fighter to be reckoned with.
Fighter-bomber models also entered service. On April 15, 1945, 11 Hayates
attacked US airfields on Okinawa, destroying many aircraft on the ground.

The IJAAF's Ki-84, Kawasaki Heavy Industries' Ki-100, and the Kawanishi Aircraft
Company's N1K2-J IJNAF naval fighter were the three Japanese fighters best
suited to combat the newer Allied fighters.

Specifications

General characteristics
Crew: One
Length: 9.92 m (32 ft 7 in)
Wingspan: 11.238 m (36 ft 11 in)
Height: 3.385 m (11 ft 1 in)
Wing area: 21 m² (226.041 ft²)
Empty weight: 2,660 kg (5,864 lb)
Loaded weight: 3,601.5 kg (7,940 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 4,170 kg (9,194 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Nakajima Ha-45-21 Homare 18-cylinder radial engine, 1,522 kW at
SL, 1360 kW at 17,900 ft (1,970 hp at SL, 1850 hp at 17,900 ft)

Performance
Never exceed speed: 800 km/h (496 mph)
Maximum speed: 686 km/h (426 mph) at 7,020 m (23,000 ft)
Range: 2,168 km (1,347 mi)
Service ceiling: 11,826.24 m (38,800 ft)
Rate of climb: 21.84 m/s at SL, 18.29 m/s at 3050 meters (4300 ft/min at SL,
3600 ft/min at 10,000 ft)
Wing loading: 171.47 kg/m² (35.1 lb/ft²)
Power/mass: 1.8 kg/hp (4 lb/hp)

Armament

2× 12.7 mm Ho-103 machine guns in nose, 350 rounds/gun
2× 20 mm Ho-5 cannon in wings, 150 shells/cannon
2× 100 kg (220 lb) bombs
2× 250 kg (551 lb) bombs
2× 200 L (53 US gal) drop tanks




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