Lots of the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF) fighters were created by Nakajima Hikoki K.K., like the Ki-27, Ki-3 Hayabusa, and Ki-44 Shoki. Well into WWII, Nakajima focused their efforts on developing the new Army Type 4 Fighter Hayate. Its development began in Dec. 1941 in response on JAAF interest in a brand new general-purpose fighter, Ki-84. It absolutely was to meet or exceed the speed and climbing capability regarding the Ki-44 Shoki; have equal maneuverability and range towards the Ki-43 Hayabusa , and display superb attack strength. The Nakajima Ha-45 motor was plumped for, that has been essentially the 16-cylinder Sakae engine applied to the Zero fighter and Ki-43 Hayabusa, utilizing the following changes: it had been risen to 18-cylinders, made more lightweight, and had its power boosted to about 2000hp. Hayate ended up being also equipped with 13mm armor plating and a 70mm armored windscreen, making it the first Japanese airplane equipped with pilot protection for the developmental phase. In August 1943, the Hayate made its first sortie over Asia. Hayate fighters were later sent to fight in the Philippines, Okinawa and so on. They were additionally utilized in the Japanese mainland to intercept and destroy incoming B29 bombers. Including two 12.7mm fuselage device gun/two wing mounted 20mm cannon prepared bomber destroyer-interceptor, about 3500 Hayates had been produced. Into the final phases of WWII, the fall both in the caliber of available materials and production procedure caused a decrease in the rate of operation and gratification of Hayate.
