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Summary: Nakajima Ki-84 Hayate aircraft Airplane blueprint for the Nakajima, Ki-84, Hayate ... Aviation history and aircraft blueprints/plans. The Hayate, or "Frank" as labeled by the Allies, is often regarded as the best Japanese fighter of WWII (the N1K2 "George" had better performance but saw very limited production). Brought into service in 1944, the Hayate demonstrated that the Japanese aircraft builders had learned the bitter lesson of American designs: that a speedy aircraft can easily best a more maneuverable one, using proper tactics. The advanced Ha 45 direct injection 18 cylinder radial engine gave the Frank plenty of speed, but unfortunately was also the source of constant problems. The Ha45 required constant and skilled maintenance, and as the war further hampered Japanese industrial power the Ki-84 suffered other problems, such as chronically failing landing gear (they were very long, requiring precise metal treatment to last).
Had it reached better production than it's 3800 or so made, or been introduced earlier, the Hayate would have certainly left even more of a mark in the Pacific. As it was American pilots were rightfully cautious of this fast, maneuverable plane - post war testing showed the Ki84 to be faster at 20K than either the P51 or the P47.
Hayate means hurricane, also known as the Hien (Flying Swallow)
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Historic Aircraft
