Could anyone tell me about the squadron that this aircraft belonged to and the relevant background?

五十嵐桜緖 said:

This is a part of the wreckage of a KI - 43 aircraft given to me by my friend. However, I don't know much information about it. Could anyone tell me about the squadron that this aircraft belonged to and the relevant background?

- Time: Winter of 1944
- Crash Site: In the mountains and fields of Fenghuiling in Yuxi (originally part of Yili Township, now part of Luohe District). Initially, rumors said it crashed in Dami Luo, but it actually crashed in Fenghuiling.
- Relevant Background: The Flying Tigers led by American Claire Chennault engaged in an aerial battle with a Japanese warplane over Yuxi. The Japanese warplane was shot down, with only one pilot on board. The aircraft was severely damaged and its wreckage was scattered. Later, the pilot's corpse was carried into the city and displayed.
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Spitfire Steve said:

I can't tell you anything about the Squadron or unit it's from, but this is what those parts would look like if they had the rest of the plane attached. This is one of two I helped restore in 2006 in Arizona

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五十嵐桜緖 said:

This is a part of the wreckage of a KI - 43 aircraft given to me by my friend. However, I don't know much information about it. Could anyone tell me about the squadron that this aircraft belonged to and the relevant background?

- Time: Winter of 1944
- Crash Site: In the mountains and fields of Fenghuiling in Yuxi (originally part of Yili Township, now part of Luohe District). Initially, rumors said it crashed in Dami Luo, but it actually crashed in Fenghuiling.
- Relevant Background: The Flying Tigers led by American Claire Chennault engaged in an aerial battle with a Japanese warplane over Yuxi. The Japanese warplane was shot down, with only one pilot on board. The aircraft was severely damaged and its wreckage was scattered. Later, the pilot's corpse was carried into the city and displayed.
View attachment 834704

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Transition to the USAAF

The success of the AVG led to negotiations in spring 1942 to induct it into the USAAF. Chennault was reinstated as a colonel and immediately promoted to brigadier general commanding U.S. Army air units in China (initially designated China Air Task Force and later the 14th Air Force), while continuing to command the AVG by virtue of his position in the Chinese Air Force. On 4 July 1942, the AVG was replaced by the 23rd Fighter Group. Most AVG pilots refused to remain with the unit as a result of the strong arm tactics by the USAAF general sent to negotiate with them. However, five pilots accepted commissions in China including "Tex" Hill, one of Chennault's most loyal devotees, with others remaining for a two-week transition period. (U.S. airmen and the press continued to use the "Flying Tiger" name to refer to USAAF units in China to the end of the war, and the name continues to be applied to certain air force and army aviation squadrons.) Most AVG pilots became transport pilots in China, went back to America into civilian jobs, or re-joined the military services and fought elsewhere in the war

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