64th Hiko Sentai 2nd Chutai, Burma, early 1943

3. Ki-43 I 64th Sentai, Burma, late 1942

By the winter of 1942 some 64th Sentai Model I¹s were looking very tatty indeed.  The paintwork on this example has been worn away by constant exposure and rubbing down which together with spot repairs gives the appearance almost of a mottle.  It is known that the JAAF in Burma used large stocks of  captured paint so it is difficult to be certain about the actual colours used.  The spinner of this Hayabusa is light coloured, in contrast to the Sentai arrow and I have shown it as yellow, although the reason for this apparent anomaly is unknown - it may have something to do with the leading edge ID strips introduced about this time and which, on this aircraft, are not painted up to the wing roots.  Note what appear to be miniature hinomaru on the wheel hubs!

Reference: photograph on page 115 of Model Art 395, recollections of Yoshito Yasuda, Model Art 329

4. Ki-43 II Ko 64th Hiko Sentai 2nd Chutai, Burma, early 1943

This aircraft is an early model II Ko, an anonymous  veteran workhorse of the 2nd Chutai,  depicted in a very heavily faded and worn scheme of green-brown with signs of partial repainting.  Of note are the washed out fuselage hinomaru and re-painted tail section with the 2nd Chutai arrow awaiting it¹s white outline.  In the original photograph this aircraft appears to be attracting considerable attention and may  have emerged from a major overhaul, repairs or re-build.

Reference: photograph on page 117 of Model Art 395.