Havate Frank

A plane which since July 1932 the Nakajima Aircraft Mfg. Company had designed and manufactured for trial under the name of KI-84 was officially adopted in April 1944 by the Army as the Fighter Type 4 "Hayate" and the mass production was started. The number of the Hayate produced by the end of World War II totaled about 3,500 which ranks next to that of the 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 fighter worthy of the name having excellent speed (climbing ability), firepower and maneuverability that became available to the Army. Those days when Japan feared she might lose the command of the air even over Japan proper, the Hayate called "the Decisive fighter to turn the fate of the Greater East Asia" was accepted by fighter units with hopes as a new fighter to beat enemy combat planes. It made its first campaign over Central China as a member of the 22nd Air Flotilla.