Oscar, oscar, oscar

If work progresses as steadily as it has been, early in 2003, Herb and George Tischler's Texas Airplane Factory will roll out the first of its restored Nakajima Ki-43 Hyabusa "Oscars"-one of the more obscure Japanese fighters.

The fuselages are almost complete, and the landing gear is being built using fabricated parts and will bE installed in wing units. Manufacturing has adhered strictly to the plans, and the wings are now recognizable. Wing number I is on hold until it can be reworked to match wing 2, which will be the first flight unit, as it has been pulled off the assembly jig and is now being "soft mated" to a fuselage. Wing 3 is already being worked on in the jig.

When the first wing and fuselage have reached the final assembly stage, work on the first cockpit will start. Engine cowl work will have to wait until a dummy engine has been mounted (after the first aircraft's wing and fuselage have been mated). The team is now searching for an original engine-a 1,130hp Nakajima Ha.115 14-cylinder, two-row, air-cooled radial.

When will it fly? Herb answers "When it's ready." George is more optimistic and cites the first few months of 2003.

Currently there are four complete Ki-43s; one will be restored to an airworthy condition by Flying Heritage Inc. in Washington. They have number 4950, which was restored at Wanaka, New Zealand, by the Alpine Fighter Collection; it can fast taxi on the original engine. A few other examples are being considered for restoration to airworthiness; one is in the UK with The Fighter Collection (stored at Duxford), and a recently recovered example is owned by Australian Rob Greinert.

Copyright Air Age Publishing Apr 2003
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