B-29 rammed by Japanese fighter

[Pathfinder]

I'm trying to find the likely unit/colours schemes and insignia of Japanese fighters that attacked and rammed a B-29 on Feb 19th 1945. Any ideas?

I believe one of the Japanese aircraft might have been from 53rd Sentai piloted by 2nd Lt. Osamu Hirose.

[Jim Oxley]

There were two ramming attacks on that day.

One was by 2Lt. Osamu Hirose of the 53th Sentai flying a Ki-45. He brought down the B-29 piloted by Capt. Stan Samuelson (42-24692) of the 500th BG. Amazingly Osamu's observer, Cpl. Kimio Kato survived the ramming attack. Of the B-29 crew only S/Sgt Rob Evans survived.

The other ram was carried out by Cpl. Kenji Yamada, also of the 53rd Sentai. He crashed into the B-29 Super Wabbit (42-65222), piloted by 1Lt. Martin Nicholson. There were no survivors from either aricraft.

Above information from 'B-29 Hunters of the JAAF', by Koji Takaki and Henry Sakaida.

[Pathfinder]

On the button! Samuelson's crew is the one I am researching. Thanks!

Does the book you metioned have colour illustrations?

[Jim Oxley]

It sure does. It's an Osprey title - so you know the quality.

[Pathfinder]

Thank you, Jim. My copy should be in the post right now.