This Ki-84 / Army Type 4 Hayate (Allied reporting name “Frank”) fighter is inside the Chiran Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots, the largest and most comprehensive kamikaze museum in Japan. I shot this as part of an upcoming story about the museum, p
lease look look for the story in the coming weeks!
The Nakajima Ki-84 fighter debuted in 1943 and was a very good design for its time, able to hold its own against Allied fighters such as the Corsair. Despite this, it was still used as a kamikaze just like every other aircraft in the inventory. This is the only restored Ki-84 in the world. There is a replica outside that was built for a movie about Chiran kamikaze pilots that in English is alternately titled, “I Go to Die for You” or “For Those We Love.”
Chiran Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots
Chiran (Minamikyushu), Japan
I have photos of the Ki-84 “Frank” planes at the Mitsubishi plant in Ota, Japan taken by my uncle (77th MG occupation force, artist classification and career photographer, 200 pics in the 1945/1946 albums) in 1945. Also, the electric panel and gun control taken from said plane.
Please advise what month your subsequent story appeared on the Peace Museum, thanks.
All your stories are great.
That sounds like quite the collection and glad he could snag those pieces. Must have made for some interesting take back items.
This story was published here and in Stripes Japan, though its been so long I can’t recall when the paper printed it. Here’s the online version-http://www.wayfarerdaves.com/?p=1319.