Texas Airplane Factory
Founder: Herbert Tishcler
Meacham Field
Fort Worth, TX
Tel: +1 817-626-9834
Fax: +1 817-626-7354
Texas Airplane Factory (TAF) was located at Meacham Field (Fort Worth Meacham International Airport) in Fort Worth, Texas. In the early 1990s, Doug Champlin / Champlin Fighter Museum recovered the wreckage of
four Japanese Oscars from Shumshu Island in the Kurile
Islands. In
1997, wreckage was shipped to
Texas Airplane Factory in Fort Worth to commence the rebuilding
process of the remains into four flying aircraft. Several Ki-43 Oscars
were created, using new parts, based on the Kurile wreckage. Four Oscars were built for 1) Tillamook Air Museum 2) Museum
of Flight 3) touring aircraft for air show circuit 4) a final aircraft
for sale.
Ki-43-III Oscar Manufacture Number 15344 Replica
Painted in the markings of the 54rd Sentai, 3rd Chutai that served
in the CBI theater. Sold to Jack Erickson, civilian Registration NX43JE, displayed at Tillamook Air Museum.
Ki-43-III Oscar Manufacture Number 15267 Replica
Painted in the markings of the 54rd Sentai, displayed at Museum
of Flight
Ki-43-III Oscar 15403
Under restoration. Registration reportedly NX43TX
References
Warbird Resource Group Oscars Reborn by Chuck Gardner 2003
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