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| JAAF 68th Sentai or 78th Sentai |
Aircraft History Built by Kawasaki at Kagamigahara. This aircraft was either a Model I or Model II. Delivered to the Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF) as Type 3 Fighter Hein / Ki-61 Tony manufacture number unknown. Armament configuration unknown. Ferried from Japan southward to Rabaul. Wartime History During the early 1943 flown from Japan via Truk to Vunakanau Airfield near Rabaul. Assigned to either the 68th Sentai or 78th Sentai. No known markings or tail code. Mission History Sometime between April 1943 to July 1943, this aircraft likely took off from Rabaul and crashed upside down into coconut palm trees on Kalai Plantation. Richard Dunn adds: "There were no Type 3 fighter [Ki-61 Tony] day combats over Rabaul in the early days April to July 1943 before the Type 3 fighter units moved permanently to the Wewak area. However, Rabaul remained a rear area logistics base for the JAAF until early 1944 (apparently serviceable Type 3 fighter show up in photos). I discount loss during the 5th Air Force day campaign (Oct-Nov 43) merely because I don't recall any evidence in JAAF fighter involvement in that period. During the day campaign against Rabaul by SoPac forces Dec 43-Feb 44 (and later) there were a couple days when Japanese press reports indicate JAAF fighters as well as JNAF fighters intercepted. So it is possible the loss dates from that era. In addition many Japanese derelict and semi-derelict a/c remained at Rabaul during and after March 1944 to include 1945 and some were repaired (Kawai for example). It is highly unlikely the loss occurred in mid-late 1944 or even 1945, but not impossible. This does not narrow it down very much. Moreover, the loss may have been a non-combat one." Wreckage This aircraft is upside down among coconut palm trees on Kalai Plantation. All that remains is the left wing and fuselage center section. Missing is the engine, tail and right wing. According to locals, this aircraft might have crashed partly on land and partly into the sea, which is not correct. The oil tank was recovered to the plantation manager's house at Kalai Plantation. Justin Taylan adds: "This aircraft is upside down. The right wing is cleanly removed, possibly cut off or salvaged sometime afterwards. The center fuel tank has at least one bullet hole in it. All the instruments are missing, possibly removed during the war or afterwards. Some graffiti on the wreckage, names and date of visit go back to 1953. Locals claim that parts of the aircraft landed in the sea." References Thanks to Brian Bennett and Richard Dunn for additional information Contribute
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