21st Hiko Sentai (21st Flying Regiment)
Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF)

Background
During October 1942, the 21st Hiko Sentai (26th Flying Regiment) was established in the Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF) equipped with the Type 2 Two-Seat Fighter / Ki-45 Toryu (Nick).

Wartime History
In March 1943 arrived at Mingaladon Airfield in northern Rangoon in Burma.

On March 13, 1943 seven Ki-45 Nicks took off from Mingaladon Airfield to intercept a formation of four B-24 Liberators over Rangoon. The fighters shoot down B-24D Liberator pilot Captain James W. Baldwin (MIA) and B-24D Liberator pilot 1st Lt. Willard K. Short (MIA) and aboard another B-24 wounded three gunners. The two bombers lost were the first losses from the 10th Air Force (10th AF) in Burma.

Markings
The 21st Hiko Sentai had a tail motif of three lines. Sentai Hombu (Headquarters) in blue, 1st Chutai in white and 2nd Chutai in red.

References
Emblems of the Rising Sun page 22 (21st Sentai)
Japanese Army Air Force Fighter Units And Their Aces 1931-1945 (2002) pages 120-122 (21st Sentai)

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