[Ara1]

Originally Posted by flyXwire

Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien "Tony" would be my favorite JAAF fighter!

Nice choice. I wanted to go for this too, but was Nicked-out.

[Ara1]

Originally Posted by Epapazian

...as a collector, I also am a big fan of the nimble Nate.

Interesting... and begging for elaboration. Are you intrigued by the colorful finishes, or the wind-whipping design?

How do you compare this plane to the Navy competitor, the A5M?

[Shawn 507]

Originally Posted by JustPlaneNuttz

Now why did you go and say that? I darn near fell off my chair laughing so hard I almost p!ssed myself. (priceless! )

Well I hope your high and dry on your chair and not on the ground in a puddle. Why? I have no love for the WW2 Imperial Japanese war machine.

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by Ara1

Interesting... and begging for elaboration. Are you intrigued by the colorful finishes, or the wind-whipping design?

How do you compare this plane to the Navy competitor, the A5M?

The A5M would be a hard one to beat when it comes to some of its paint schemes.

[JustPlaneNuttz]

Originally Posted by Shawn 507

Well I hope your high and dry on your chair and not on the ground in a puddle. Why? I have no love for the WW2 Imperial Japanese war machine.

Let me make myself clear -- your comment just simply broke me up. Man, I laughed for about 20 minutes. Right out of left field as they say.

[Shawn 507]

Originally Posted by JustPlaneNuttz

Let me make myself clear -- your comment just simply broke me up. Man, I laughed for about 20 minutes. Right out of left field as they say.

I understood you, Canadian isn't that far off from American. Glad I could bring alittle sunshine and laughter to your day.

[planenutsfrog]

My favorite one has to be the excellent Ki-100.

Most difficult choice however : All Japanese fighters have such harmonious lines...!

Indeed, as far as esthetics are concerned, they are second to none imho.

[Epapazian]

Originally Posted by Ara1

Interesting... and begging for elaboration. Are you intrigued by the colorful finishes, or the wind-whipping design?

How do you compare this plane to the Navy competitor, the A5M?

While the Claude performed very well in China, it was soon replaced by the Zero and saw only brief service against U.S. forces in December 1941. The Nate, in contrast, was manufactured in larger numbers---almost 4000-- and fared extremely well in China, against the Russians in Manchuria, and later, against the Allies in Malaya, Burma, etc. Clearly, it was no match for the more modern American fighters but the Nate soldiered on. Later it was used for "home defense and training duties. Both planes displayed interesting liveries, but some of the Nates had really impressive striping motifs, several of which I have replicated in my own collection. I've got a bunch of Claudes also and, overall, it's almost as interesting as the Nate.

[Ara1]

Thanks Epapazian. Well-worded as always. I too prefer the Nate over the Claude, I think it looks like a coherant machine, front to back. Although I prefer the JNAF finishes of the day.

There were Nates in evidence at Atsugi after the war, probably for suicide attacks. I don't recall seeing any Claudes in published photos. Your quoted production number of 4000 for the Nate is astounding for a Japanese plane; that's an incredible figure.

[chascbv]

My vote for the Nakajima Ki-84 Hayate. Isn't it a beauty? And it was a fine fighter too, albeit somewhat marred by quality control issues...