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The Frank made its combat debut in Aug. 1944 against USAAF aircraft over Hankow, China. The aircraft was also flown extensively in the 1944-1945 Philippines campaigns, and in the Okinawa operation. The Nakajima prototype flew in April 1943, fifteen months after design had started. The first production model, the Ki-84-I, totaled 3,510 aircraft, including 100 built by the Manchurian Aircraft Manufacturing Co. U.S. air attacks against the engine and airframe plants severely reduced production, but it continued until almost the end of the war. A variety of advanced models were developed, most with improved engines, but they were developed too late to go into production. The Frank, which resembled the Oscar, was a low-wing monoplane with a bubble canopy. The aircraft was well liked and simple to fly, although taxing and ground handling were generally poor. The Ki-106 was an effort to produce the Frank largely of wood. Flown for the first time in July 1945, the plane was heavier and more sluggish than the metal Ki-84. The Ki-84 Hayate was the most outstanding Japanese Army Fighter and far ahead of the Oscar, Tony and Tojo. The Frank was one of the most formidable Japanese aircraft of the war, being able to outclimb and outmaneuver both the U.S. P-47N Thunderbolt and the P-51H Mustang fighters.
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