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In December 1937, when the Nakajima Type 97 Fighter (Ki-27) was officially adopted, the Army instructed Nakajima to prototype the next-generation fighter (Ki-43).

The first prototype was completed in December of the following year, and test flights showed that, although its maximum speed was about 30km/h faster than the Type 97, its maneuverability was inferior and it was not powerful enough to be a next-generation fighter.

After that, various modifications were made, such as changing the wing area and replacing the engine, and by September 1940, 13 aircraft (3 prototypes, 10 additional prototypes) had been completed, but they were unable to convince the military, which prioritized dogfighting.

However, at that time, the General Staff believed that a fighter with long flight range was needed to support the convoys in the southern invasion operation to capture Singapore, and the Ki-43, which was on the verge of being labeled as unsuccessful, was found to have a future as a long-range fighter.

In April 1941, a modified aircraft was tested,and it achieved the required flight range,and also excelled in vertical dogfighting,so in May 1941, it was decided to adopt it as the G4M fighter,and between June and August of the same year,the 59th Air Squadron received about 30 G4Ms.

The G4Ms. Hayabusa I was mainly deployed in Burma,and contributed greatly to the rapid advance of the Japanese forces in the early stages of the war.

The G4Ms. II had a Ha-115 engine, a refined aircraft design, and improved performance. When the G4Ms. II were deployed in combat,they held an advantage against Buffaloes, Hurricanes, and P-40s,but struggled against later Spitfires and P-38s. However, it was the easiest to handle of the army’s fighters at the time,and had a high operational rate, so mass production continued until the end of the war.

Data
Crew: 1
Wing width: 10.84m
Length: 8.92m (horizontal attitude)
Height: 3.27m (horizontal attitude)
Wing area: 21.4m2
Total weight: 2,590kg
Engine: Nakajima Ha115
Takeoff power: 1,120hp
Maximum speed: 515km/h/6,000m
Armament: 2 x 12.7mm cannons