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Strana 51

Kōkūtai 343, Guam Island, June 1944
Hikōtai 165, Kōkūtai 653, Ōita base, Japan, September 1944
Aircraft 43-118 of the 343rd Kōkūtai was found
damaged at one of Guam’s airfields following
the island’s capture. Built by Mitsubishi, the
aircraft carried white-painted wingtips applied
on unit level. The 343rd Kōkūtai was formed at
Kagoshima in January 1944 with combat name
Hayabusa Butai and was originally intended
to operate the Shiden (George) fighter planes.
Instead, it received Zeroes and began combat
operations in the Marianas in March 1944.
During June, the unit took part in the defence
of Palau, Tinian, Guam and Yap. After suffering
heavy losses, the 343rd Kōkūtai was disbanded
in early July 1944. A second unit bearing the
designation 343rd Kōkūtai was formed in
December 1944 and became a legendary elite
formation equipped with Shiden fighters.
This Mitsubishi manufactured aircraft was
assigned to Kōkūtai 653, which was established
in February 1944. The layout of camouflage color
fields was characteristic of aircraft produced by
Mitsubishi. Kōkūtai 653 participated in the Battle
of the Philippine Sea in June 1944 aboard the
carriers Chitose, Chiyoda, and Zuihō, most of its
armament consisted of A6M2 Type 21 fighter-
bombers. Out of the nine carrier squadron
commanders, only one survived. After the
battle, Kōkūtai 653 was reorganized into four
Hikōtai. Lt. Kenji Nakagawa led Hikōtai 164 and
165 with 48 A6M5 fighters each. Lt. Tetsuo Endō
led 48 A6M fighter-bombers of Hikōtai 166 while
bombers were assigned to Hikōtai 263. In the fall
of 1944, Kōkūtai 653 suffered 50% losses in the
defense of Taiwan. Part of Hikōtai 166 aircraft
was deployed from aircraft carriers in October
1944 during the Battle off Cape Engaño in the
defense of the Philippines. The Kōkūtai was
disbanded on November 15, 1944.
STAVEBNICE 10/2026
481163 A6M5 landing flaps (PE
-
Set)
491520 A6M5 (Nakajima) upgrade set (PE
-
Set)
491521 A6M5 (Mitsubishi) upgrade set (PE
-
Set)
FE1525 A6M5 seatbelts STEEL (PE
-
Set)
644302 A6M5 LööK (Brassin)
6481093 A6M5/7 500kg bomb PRINT (Brassin)
6481094 A6M5 seat PRINT (Brassin)
6481095 A6M5 Type 52 gun bays PRINT (Brassin)
6481118 A6M5 exhausts PRINT (Brassin)
3DL48220 A6M5 Zero (Nakajima) SPACE (3D Decal Set)
3DL48222 A6M5 Zero (Mitsubishi) SPACE (3D Decal Set)
EX1113 A6M5 Zero TFace (Mask)
For A6M5 Zero Type 52a 1/48
RECOMMENDED:
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51
November 2026

Kōkūtai 343, Guam Island, June 1944

STAVEBNICE 10/2026

Aircraft 43-118 of the 343rd Kōkūtai was found damaged at one of Guam’s airfields following the island’s capture. Built by Mitsubishi, the aircraft carried white-painted wingtips applied on unit level. The 343rd Kōkūtai was formed at Kagoshima in January 1944 with combat name Hayabusa Butai and was originally intended

to operate the Shiden (George) fighter planes. Instead, it received Zeroes and began combat operations in the Marianas in March 1944. During June, the unit took part in the defence of Palau, Tinian, Guam and Yap. After suffering heavy losses, the 343rd Kōkūtai was disbanded in early July 1944. A second unit bearing the

designation 343rd Kōkūtai was formed in December 1944 and became a legendary elite formation equipped with Shiden fighters.

Hikōtai 165, Kōkūtai 653, Ōita base, Japan, September 1944

This Mitsubishi manufactured aircraft was assigned to Kōkūtai 653, which was established in February 1944. The layout of camouflage color fields was characteristic of aircraft produced by Mitsubishi. Kōkūtai 653 participated in the Battle of the Philippine Sea in June 1944 aboard the carriers Chitose, Chiyoda, and Zuihō, most of its armament consisted of A6M2 Type 21 fighter-

bombers. Out of the nine carrier squadron commanders, only one survived. After the battle, Kōkūtai 653 was reorganized into four Hikōtai. Lt. Kenji Nakagawa led Hikōtai 164 and 165 with 48 A6M5 fighters each. Lt. Tetsuo Endō led 48 A6M fighter-bombers of Hikōtai 166 while bombers were assigned to Hikōtai 263. In the fall of 1944, Kōkūtai 653 suffered 50% losses in the

defense of Taiwan. Part of Hikōtai 166 aircraft was deployed from aircraft carriers in October 1944 during the Battle off Cape Engaño in the defense of the Philippines. The Kōkūtai was disbanded on November 15, 1944.

For A6M5 Zero Type 52a 1/48

RECOMMENDED:

481163 491520 491521

A6M5 landing flaps (PE-Set) A6M5 (Nakajima) upgrade set (PE-Set) A6M5 (Mitsubishi) upgrade set (PE-Set)

November 2026

FE1525 644302 6481093 A6M5/7 500kg bomb PRINT (Brassin) 6481094 A6M5 seat PRINT (Brassin) 6481095 A6M5 Type 52 gun bays PRINT (Brassin) 6481118 3DL48220 A6M5 Zero (Nakajima) SPACE (3D Decal Set) 3DL48222 A6M5 Zero (Mitsubishi) SPACE (3D Decal Set) EX1113

A6M5 seatbelts STEEL (PE-Set) A6M5 LööK (Brassin)

A6M5 exhausts PRINT (Brassin)

A6M5 Zero TFace (Mask)

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51

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