Thailand: Recovery of Ki-43 wreckage

[DavidIsby]

Unfortunately, they appear not to have recovered the factory cockpit data plate, or else it would have been off to New Zealand (in a conveniently small crate) and back to flight status.


"Remains of Ki-43 Aircraft Found in Pathum Thani"

Authorities discovered the remains of a Japanese Ki-43 Hayabusa fighter aircraft in Pathum Thani province. Authorities are in the process of recovering the remains to reserve and store them.

The remains were found near Rahaeng subdistrict, Lat Lum Kaeo district, Pathum Thani province. Aircraft pieces discovered consist of two of the aircraft’s three-bladed propeller, a 14-cylinder engine, the base of one wheel, parts of a self-sealing tank, and minor parts.

It is believed that the aircraft is the Ki-43 Hayabusa fighter aircraft of the Japanese Army used to fight against the US Army’s P-51 Mustang during World War II. Both types of aircrafts had crashed in the Pathum Thani province. The area where the Ki-43 Hayabusa fighter aircraft was discovered is not far from where the remains of a P-51 Mustang aircraft were recovered.

At present the discovered remains of the -51 Mustang aircraft is kept at the Royal Thai Air Force Museum. The Royal Thai Air Force will restore and preserve the remains of the Ki-43.

From: http://www.thaiarmedforce.com. Posted there (in Thai) on 5 June