Ki-84 Hayate c/n 1446

[DaveM2]

All

Can anyone confirm that this, the last known surviving example, was test flown at Eagle Farm in Australia prior to be loaded aboard the USS Long Island (CVE-1) and shipped to the United States? Or was it shipped direct from the Philippines to the US?

The Australian War Memorial has a number of air to air images of it marked a S17, but the location isn't stated. But I have seen reference to these been taken over Luzon.

Also, from what I have read, ATAIU-SWPA at Eagle Farm was ordered back to the US in June 1944, long before the aircraft was captured.

TIA
Dave

[Buckeye30]

Hi Dave. Looks like she was shipped from Clark Field to the States, with other Japanese planes on "Long Island". Her damage was repaired but she would be unlikely to fly to and in Australia. A second Ki.84 was marked S10. They were evaluated by the Technical Air Intelligence Unit SWPA not ATAIU-SEA.
Regards
Nick


https://vintageaviationnews.com/warb...84-hayate.html

[DaveM2]

Nick

Yes, I think so.
However USS Long Island did visit Australia so it is possible (but unlikely) it was picked up from there. Other Japanese aircraft were tested at Eagle Farm in Australia during the war...

cheers
Dave

[Buckeye30]

Hi Dave. Yes seems like the ATAIU was re-located to Anacostia DC in June 44; the big hangar No.7 at Eagle Farm was assigned to ATAIU-SWPA for this sort of work until then. A photo of 4 aircraft ( Ki.84, F6F, Seafire and P-51D) in flight was most likely taken over Luzon in the May-June 45 period; the 35FG P-51 was at Clark Field then so was the Seafire (NN610) with the Technical Air Intelligence Unit, as was the Ki.84 S17 (the photo was actually credited to the RAAF). Not sure about the F6F-5, no markings just 3 nose numbers presumably related to the serial.


Nick

[DaveM2]

Nick

Thanks. I think safe to say that the Ki-84 never went to Australia.

cheers
Dave

[Buckeye30]

The Hellcat has been bugging me but another photo of a Hellcat with a Seafire and a Raiden shows "916", I'm sure the same 2 planes; possibly Bu. No. 58916 ? I believe the nose numbers were marked for flight testing.
Regards
Nick


https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...stang_1945.jpg


https://www.worldwarphotos.info/gall...aic-in-flight/

[twocee]

Nick,

The F6F is most likely BuNo 72916 which, in the time frame you mention, May-June 1945, was assigned to a replacement aircraft pool on Samar. The nose number was likely applied at Bethpage, where the aircraft was accepted on 9 December 1944.

It ended its days in 1955 as an F6F-5K target drone.

[Buckeye30]

Thanks George appreciate that. The Raiden was found on an emergency strip in Manila on Feb. 20, tail designators were added --"J2M3 3008" ( there's a photo of the ID plate on "Pacific Wrecks"). Not much evaluation done apparently as the engine seized second flight.


Nick