'' Nakajima Ki43-II Hayabusa (Oscar) ''

Satisfactory testing brought construction of the initial Ki-43-IIa production version which had reduced wing span, a modified canopy, machine gun armament as for the Ki-43-Ic, and two underwing racks each able to carry a 551 lbs (250 kg) bomb. Late series aircraft, designated Ki-43-IIb (also known as the Ki-43-II Otsu), were generally similar but for some equipment changes, and the final production Ki-II-KAI incorporated the progressive modifications introduced on the Ki-43-IIa and Ki-43-IIb aircraft. Further development followed with the construction of 10 Ki-43-IIIa prototypes, which which were similar to the Ki-43-II KAI except for introducing the 1,150 hp (858 kw) Nakajima Ha-115-II to give improved performance at rated altitude, and two Ki-43-IIIb interceptor prototypes with the 1,300 hp (969 kw) Mitsubishi Ha-112 engine and forward firing machine armament of two 20 mm cannon, but neither of these versions entered production before the Pacific war ended.

Allocated the Allied codename 'Oscar', the Hayabusa remained in service from the beginning to the end of the war, taking active part in operations for the defence of Tokyo and by use in a Kamikaze role. Production had totalled 5,919 by wars end, with (3,239) built by Nakajima, (2,631) built by Tachikawa and 49 aircraft built by the Army Air Arsenal at Tachikawa.

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