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| JAAF 302nd Hiko Sentai   Justin Taylan 2005 |
Pilot Sgt Yuichi Kobayashi Observer Lance Cpl Natsuo Koibuchi Crashed January 27, 1945 Aircraft History Built by Kawasaki. Delivered to the Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF) as Type 2 Two-Seat Fighter Toryu / Ki-45 Nick manufacture number unknown, likely 4067 or 4065. Armed with a 37mm cannon, two obliquely mounted 20mm cannon and a single 7.7mm machine gun rearward. Wartime History Assigned to the 302nd Hiko Sentai (302nd Air Regiment). No known markings or tail code. Mission History On January 27, 1945 took off piloted by Sgt Yuichi Kobayashi on a mission to intercept B-29 Superfortresses from the 73rd Bomb Wing (73rd BW) on bombing the Nakajima Aircraft Factory in Musashino west of Tokyo. This Nick might have rammed B-29 42-24767 or was shot down by defensive fire from the bombers. Koji Takaki adds: "I believe that B-29 42-24767 piloted by Beyhan was rammed by Ki-45 Nick pilot Sgt Kobyashi, though there is very little evidence. It is said that the Nick rammed a B-29 in a 13-ship formation coming from Ota (Nakajima Ota). On the day the bombing condition was not good, cloudy and intensive fighter attack. 56 B-29s bombed on secondary or opportunity targets. Many explosive and incendiary bombs were dropped on Marunouchi, Ginza, and other street areas. I think some (13?) B-29s flew to Ota." Recovery & Display On September 19, 1996 with permission from the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (JSDF), Taizou Nakamura investigated the crash site and found pieces of wreckage that were given to family members, including a harmonica that belonged to one of the crew. The stenciled manufacture number 4067 was found on wreckage. Other pieces of wreckage are displayed at the Yokohama WWII Japanese Military Radio Museum. References Some sources incorrectly state this aircraft rammed B-29 "Haley's Comet" 42-24616 According to an article by Masatoshi Suzuki, the servicing crew of this Nick, appearing in the publication of the Shohi Kai (Boy Flyers’ Association) “4065” was painted on the left wing flap. In 1996, stenciled manufacture number 4067 was discovered on the wreckage. B-29 Hunters of the JAAF (2000) pages 72-73 B-29 “Haley’s Comet” 42-24616 was not rammed by a Ki-45 Nick, but was shot by fighters over Target 357 and crashed at Shisui, Imba, on 27 January 1945 by Koji Takaki , February 9, 2011 Thanks to Taizou Nakamura, Koji Takaki and Henry Sakaida for additional information Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated March 20, 2022 |
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