Nakajima Ki.43 "Oscar" in Focus

Merriam Press In Focus 12. First Edition (February 2012). Pictorial review of the Japanese Nakajima Ki.43 fighter. With a wing span of about 35 feet and a length of less than 30 feet, the Nakajima Ki.43 Hayabusa, known as "Oscar" to the Allies, was one of the smaller fighter monoplanes to see action in World War II. Compared to the P-38 with a span of 52 feet or the Corsair of 41 feet or even the Hurricane with a span of 40 feet, the Ki.43 was indeed smaller than its major opponents. In action within days after Pearl Harbor, the diminutive Oscar served with the Japanese Army Air Forces until the end of hostilities. More Ki.43s were in service than any other Army type and its service record proved an especially interesting one. 204 B&W and color photos of one of the best Japanese fighters of World War II. View images of this warplane in production, testing, training, combat as well as captured examples being flown by Allied test pilots.