Nakajima progress

At the Texas Airplane Factory, George Tischler reports that the Nakajima Ki-43s are making great progress. Fuselage: The remaining two forward fuselages are being worked to the same status as the first two. The first of the remaining two is nearly complete and the remaining unit is advancing nicely. The windshield molds have been sent out to the west coast and an initial unit has been delivered to verify fit into the frame so TAF can start defining the actual contours for the canopy.

Wings: The landing gear retraction system his been installed for what TAF anticipates to the the final time. Hydraulic lines, electric lines, pneumatic (pitot and static lines) are being installed. The landing light fixture in the left wing has been put together and installed in the wing. The mounting brackets are based upon the Ki-43 on display it Oshkosh. The Model 1 did not have landing lights and, instead, used parachute flares for this purpose.

The heated pitot/static tube has been procured as well as the mounting tube and provisions. The recovered wings all show twin pneumatic lines as well as electric lines for the heater element going out to the pitot tube.

TAF is preparing the skills for the lower wing surfaces. Because of the orientation of the spar flange of the spars (facing forward), as well as the layering of the skins, TAF cannot river any of the skins until the trailing edge structure has been made and installed into the last spar. Based upon this, it appears that Nakijima assembled the wings starting from the trailing edge and worked forward.

Some work is going into the definition of the wing tips. The outer edge is being cut to contour and then rolled into shape. The internal structure will he copied based upon the remnants of a couple of originals. Along with the wing tip lights, the lights on the vertical are also being examined.

Stabilizers/Control Surfaces: The initial units of the vertical anal horizontal stailizers have been temporarily fitted oil the #2 fuselage. The nine horizontal spars for the remaining three units are heing assembled (yes, like the wing, Nakajima designed a three-spar horisontal!). Also, the initial attempt at defining the lower portion of the rudder has been attempted. This could be done only after the vertical stabilizer and the upper portion of the rudder had been located onto the aft fuselage. The structural assembly of the last flap has been completed and is hanging with the rest.

Copyright Challenge Publications Inc. Oct 2001
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