JAAF
302nd Kokutai
Justin Taylan 2005
Pilot Sgt Yuichi Kobayashi
Observer Lance Cpl Natsuo Koibuchi
Crashed January 27, 1945
Aircraft History
This aircraft could have been 4065. According to an article by Masatoshi Suzuki, the servicing crewmen of the Nick, appearing in the publication of the Shohi Kai (Boy Flyers’ Association), “4065” was painted on the flap of its left wing. 4067 was found when the aircraft was discovered at the crash site in 1996. This aircraft was armed with a 37mm cannon, two obliquely installed 20mm cannon and a single 7.7mm machine gun rearward.
Mission History
Took off to intercept B-29s of the 73rd BW attacking the Nakajima Aircraft Factory in Musashino, a western suburb of Tokyo. Attacked B-29 "Haley's Commet" 42-24616, from beneath with its oblique 20mm cannons, but was then also shot down by defensive fire from the B-29s.
Recovery & Display
With premission of the Japan's Self-Defense Forces, Taizou Nakamura investigated the crash site on September 19, 1996. Pieces of wreckage from this crash site to return to the family members, including the harmonica of one of the crew members. Other pieces of wreckage are displayed at the Yokohama WWII Japanese Military Radio Museum.
References
B-29 Hunters of the JAAF page 72-73 covers this mission and losses.
Ki-45
A B-29 Rammed by a Nick Over Funabashi
