KI-43 OSCAR 50-60CC ARF

Often mistaken for the Mitsubishi A6M Zero, the Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa (translated: Peregrine Falcon) was operated by the Imperial Japanese Army Airforce. While similar in design, the Zero was operated by Imperial Navy pilots and differed in several design points and operational areas.

“Oscar” was a code name assigned to the Hayabusa by Allied Forces. The Ki-43 was lightweight, fast, nimble, and easy to fly, and it had a distinct performance advantage over most of the Allied fighters because of its lightweight construction. The downside of saving weight however, meant that there was little armor to protect the pilot and vital systems, and a lack of selfsealing fuel tanks brought many Oscars down with just a few hits from heavily armed Hellcats and