NAKAJIMA Kis HAVAB IN JAPAMESS ARMY Aig BORCE FAA PSIPSF SER VigENAKAJIMA Ki-43 HAYABUSA I-III In Japanese Army Air Force * RTAF * CAF ¢ IPSF Service Richard M. BueschelCover artwork by Steve Ferguson, Colorado Springs, CO. ‘THE RED FALCON’S LAST FLIGHT In the Papuan campaign of early 1949, the most prominent JAF unit was the famous 11th Sentai, readiy identified by the lightning bolt emblazoned on the tails of their Ki-a3 la Hayabusa’s (Peregrine Falcon). known to the Allies as the Oscar. First Chutai leader Capt. Miyabayashi, the "Red Falcon,” is seen here with his wingman in an attack on American C-47s carrying supplies to the forward basos of tho allios closing in on Lae. Certain that his Oscar can easily outmaneuver the approaching P-39 escorts, the veteran will fall victim to P-40s of the 49th Fighter Group which have not yet come into view. After the losses of their armies at Guadalcanal and Suna, the Japanese Imperial Command summoned several Army Air Force units from China to bolster the struggling units in the southern area of operations. The first JAAF group was the illustrious {11h Sentai commanded by LIC. Sugiura which advanced first to Rabaul in support of the evacuation of Guadalcanal, and eventually to Lae, New Guinea, in support of the ‘counter-offensive against Gen, Douglas MacArthur. The first squadron to reach Lae airdrome was flambouyant Captain Miyabayashi's 1st Chutal. Known to his countymen as the “Red Falcon” due to the gaudy markings of his personal aircraft, the fearless squadron leader often flew lone reconnaissance of the front lines and was never hesitant to engage a superior force. However, the Oscar was not the aircraft to sustain such bravado, and within weeks, both Sugiura and Miyabayashi were ead. The shattered sentai withdrew to refit in their homeland for the ultimate battle in the Philippines in late-1944, there to be annihilated for the last time. Acknowledgements Thanks fe due to the photo sources cited, with special thanks to Richard L. Seely of Aero Literature for permission to reproduce the pholograptis from the R, Seely Collection; James F. Lansdale for procfing and editing of the original edition for historical accuracy, and James |. Long for bringing the text up to date with cur rent practice nomenclature and model identication. ‘Thistle was orginally pubished by Osprey Publications Lt. in 1970, Book Design by Mary Jane M Hannigan Conygh: © 1995 oy cnard M Buesehe Luar of Congress Catalog Number 95:67623 All rights reserved. No pat ofthis work may bo reproduced oF used in any forme ‘by any means ~ arashic, electronic or mechanical, ncluaina pnotocapyina or informaton sicrage and retrieval systems ~ without written parnission rom the copyright nor. Printed inthe United States of America. ISBN: 0-88720-808-4 Published by Scniter Publishirg Lie "77 Lower Val ey Road ‘igion, PA 19310 Please wit ora fee catalog, ‘This book may be purchased fom tre publisher. Plaade iniuse $2.68 postage, Try your ocokstore ft. We are iterestecin heating trom authors with book Ideas on related ties. 2 Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa Ill