Greetings all;

From my dad's stack of photos from Iwo Jima this image is a US Marine digging a fox hole under the wing of a bent and battered Japanese aircraft on the #1 airfield Febrauary 1945. Anyone know the type of aircraft? Not my arena.

Based on canopy shape, fuselage taper, and visible exhaust, My GUESS is either a Ki-43 "Hayabusa" (Oscar) or a Ki-84 "Hayate" (Frank). Not being able to see forward intake, does limit positive ID.

Hi Stephen

At a glance I'd say it's a Ki 43 - there's a forward-mounted aerial mast and the fuselage doesn't look deep enough for a Hayate.

It's a great pic! Are there more a/c subjects among your dad's photos?

All the best

Rowan

The aircraft is definately a Nakajima Ki43-II Hayabusa (Oscar). The exhausts, three bladed prop, and headrest identify it as that sub-type.

Here are some pics of mine:
http://www.pix.prettyneatinc.com/oscarbuild.htm

And seven pages of wartime pics:
http://www.ijaafpics.com/jbwki431.htm

Hope this helps !

Hi all!

My guess would also be Hayabusa... but look at where the Marine planted its pickaxe!!! That's a sacrilege! Imagine someone doing the same thing on a Warbird today :-)

Great picture Stephen! Thanks for sharing...

Jean-Luc

True.

Thanks gents if anyone could help I knew you could. Hey Rowan...I think there might be some more. I am uploading a bunch to my webite for safe keeping as backup files. I will see what might be useable... Lots of infantry & armor subjects too.

Im guessing Oscar too

Here is another image of what looks like a IJN Boneyard on Iwo Jima. (Thanks JPTRR)

Sorry gents will have to come back and repair the URL had to move them.

Ok can anyone identify the wrecks?

i knew you were going to say that! :-)

Hi Stephen

It looks like a Betty minus its engines in the background (2nd from left).

All the best

Rowan

Hi Stephen!

I think the plane on the front right is an A6M Zero...

Jean-Luc

All the identifiable planes on the right are A6M Zeros.

To the left, the first wreck looks to be a Ki-27 Sally (or transport version) or a G3M "Nell", or even a Topsy. Immediately to its right is an engineless Betty, and the solid nose to its right is probabaly a Gekko "Irving".

Iwo was the Navy's air base, but no doubt IJA aircraft staged through it.

It would make a fine diorama.