NAKAJIMA Ki-43 HAYABUSA IN JAPANESE ARMY AIR FORCE RTAF-CAF-IPSF SERVICE
Prix régulier 29,00 € TTC 6%
Characteristics
| ISBN-13 | 978-0887408045 |
| ISBN-10 | 0-88740-804-4 |
| Book cover finish(es) | sewn paperback |
| Condition | LIKE NEW |
| Author(s) | Richard M. Bueschel |
| Publisher | Schiffer Publishing Ltd. |
| Number of pages | 64 |
| Published date | 1995 |
| Language(s) | English |
| Collection / Series | A Schiffer Military History Book |
| Size | 21.5 x 27.9 x 0.5 cm |
| Categorie(s) | • AVIATION MILITAIRE • APPAREILS - CONSTRUCTEURS |
Description
In the Papuan campaign of early 1943, the most prominent JAAF unit, the 11th Sentai, readily identified by the lightning bolt emblazoned on their Hayabusa's (Peregrine Falcon), known to the Allies as the "Oscar", is seen here with the wing of Capt. Miyabayashi, the "Red Falcon," as he leads a flight of American C-47s carrying supplies to the forward bases of the allies. Certain that his Oscar can easily outmaneuver the approaching enemy transports, he will fall victim to P-40s of the 49th Fighter Group which have not yet been spotted.
After the losses of their armies at Guadalcanal and Buna, Imperial Command summoned several Army Air Force units from China to bolster their units in the southern area of operations. The first JAAF group was the 11th Sentai commanded by LTC. Sugiura which advanced first to Rabaul, then the evacuation of Guadalcanal, and eventually to Lae, New Guinea, in support of a counter-offensive against Gen. Douglas MacArthur.
The first squadron to reach Lae airdrome was flamboyant Captain Miyabayashi's, known to his countrymen as the "Red Falcon" due to the gaudy coloration of his personal aircraft, the fearless squadron leader often flew lone reconnaissance missions and was never hesitant to engage a superior force. However, the Oscar lacked the aircraft to sustain such bravado, and within weeks, both Sugiura and Miyabayashi were dead. The shattered sentai withdrew to refit in their homeland for the ultimate battle over the Philippines in late-1944, there to be annihilated for the last time.