Nakajima Ki-43 II Kai "Hayabusa" - the Japanese KOP main fighter

Ki-43-II - the second serial modification of the Ki-43 fighter. The first five test machines were produced in February 1942. They are equipped with a new 1150 y. p. power engine Nakajima Ha-115 with two-speed supercharger, three-blade metal propeller, shielded fuel tanks, pilot's armor protection consisting of a pilot's back plate and a plate behind the head made of 13 mm steel. A shorter wing (10.84 m instead of 11.44 m) was also installed, under which bombs, weighing up to 250 kg or 200 l additional fuel tanks could be hung. Armament remained unchanged and consisted of two 12.7 mm machine guns. From September 1942 serial production of the first variant of this series, Ki-43-IIa, began. In 1943 serial production of the second variant began - Ki-43-IIB, which was equipped with a more aerodynamic compressor hood, an improved oil radiator, the external armament suspension units were moved outside the legs of the chassis - in order to prevent them from hitting the propeller, when the bombs were dropped while diving. But the battles showed, that the plane was too slow. While the new engines were being worked on, the Ha-115s already in production and in use were being improved. In the summer of 1942 three Model II Kai prototypes were produced. They used a different exhaust system - six cylinders had separate exhaust pipes, the other 8 cylinders had one common pipe for the pair. Thanks to this improvement, the engine power has increased by several tens of horsepower. In total, about 500 such fighters were produced, which appeared in combat units in the summer of 1943. Later, fighters of this modification were equipped with an additional fuel tank with a capacity of 151 l. The tank is mounted behind the pilot's seat. Ki-43-II fighters were produced at Nakajima (until September 1944) and Tachikawa (until the end of the war) and at the 1st Army Arsenal in Tashikawa (until November 1943).

A beautifully designed and detailed model of moderate difficulty, for modelers of all experience. Well detailed cockpit equipment, engine, landing gear, minimal detailing of landing gear niches, no outboard armament or fuel tank, control plates only separated from main plates, minimal color stock. The model is more intended for intermediate and experienced modelers. But by not doing the cockpit equipment, simplifying the engine, making the cockpit glass opaque, the undercarriage included, working under the supervision of a more experienced colleague, this model will stick perfectly to both advanced beginners and low-experience modelers.