Captured japanese Aircraft WWII

[Jack Cook]

Here's some shots of captured Japanese Aircraft for your enjoyment.

KI-45 Twin Engined Fighter at Capt Glouster, New Britian 1944

KI-61 Hein aka Tony at Clark Field PI 1945

another KI-61 Hein at Cape glouster 1944

[HarvardIV]

Very good photos, Jack

Why is it that most derelict Japanese aircraft seem to be missing most of their plexiglass? I've noticed this in several photographs over the years. Even photos of very recently abandoned Japanese aircraft seem to show that most of their glasswork is gone, while Allied types of all nationalities usually appear to have theirs intact, or at least mostly intact. Was Japanese plexi prone to fairly rapid deterioration in the tropics? Jack's Nick picture is a good example.

Dan

[tom d. friedman]

a good question & very valid point!!!

[Warhawk]

I don't know if it was prone to deterioation or not, but looking at the number of bullet strikes and other damage on the wings and fuselage it would seem reasonable to assume that much of this particular planes canopy was lost durng a raid on that field.

Just my opinion based on what I can see.

[SaxMan]

The glass used in Japanese planes was much thinner than those used in Allied planes. Thinner glass is more susceptible to the elements and to shattering upon impact, especially when the object impacting it was a .50 caliber bullet, or a piece of shrapnel from a parafrag.