|  |
|
| |
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| JAAF 63rd Sentai 2nd Chutai |
Aircraft History Built by Nakajima. Delivered to the Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF) as a Type 1 Fighter Hayabusa / Ki-43 Oscar manufacture number unknown. Wartime History Assigned to the 63rd Sentai, 2nd Chutai. The tail had the unit motif, a stylized triangle painted in red on both sides of the tail. In New Guinea painted with mottled green camouflage paint. Mission History During early 1944, this Oscar crashed into the hills to the south of Wewak. The precise circumstances of the crash of this Oscar are unknown, likely it crashed in early 1944. Possible missions with 63rd Sentai losses include: On January 18, 1944, the 63rd Sentai engaged in air combat over Wewak and lost was Captain Tomio Matsumoto. In February 1944, the 63rd Sentai operated from Hollandia and flew mission over Wewak but suffered no verified losses. In March 1944, the 63rd Sentai continued to operate from Hollandia and fly mission over Wewak. Wreckage This Oscar crashed into the hills south of Wewak. During 2004, pieces of the tail were moved to the nearby village. Elders in the village remember the plane crashing during a dogfight with American fighter aircraft and that the pilot died in the crash. Justin Taylan visited this site in 2004: "The hillside was so overgrown and dense jungle even the villagers were unable to relocate the crash site. They were only able to show me the tail portion they had brought back to the village. No manufacture number was visible, although the red of the 63rd Sentai markings was visible on both sides of the tail. The elder in the photograph remembered the dogfight when it crashed well, and rushing to, but found the pilot was already dead." Richard Dunn adds: "The wreck at Wewak may be Captain Tomio Matsumoto [lost January 18, 1944] but could possibly be a loss dating from a sortie from Hollandia to the Wewak area in March 1944. They were in combat over Wewak at least once in February 1944 but I can't verify any loss." References Thanks to Richard Dunn for additional information Contribute
Information Last Updated
|
 Ki-43 |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
