Details[]
The Technical Air Intelligence Center was an evaluation unit formed in mid-1944, comprising U.S. Navy personnel withdrawn from the TAIU and reassigned to NAS Anacosta, to centralise and co-ordinate the work of test centres in the United States with the work of TAIUs in the field. The unit was then renamed TAIU for the South West Pacific Area (TAIU-SWPA).
By the end of 1945 the TAIU’s had completed their search of the Japanese Mainland and other territories and gathered together the examples at Yokohama Naval Base. General Hap Arnold ordered the preservation of four of every type of aircraft used by the enemy forces. One of each was to be for the USAAF, USN, RAF and Museum purposes. Approximately 115 aircraft were shipped to America by the end of December 1945. But of the 115 aircraft recovered after the war, plus the eleven (?) previously acquired during the war, only 46 were eventually sent to museums. The final fate of most was to be scrapped.[1]
Known Aircraft[]
Ten of the supposedly eleven previously acquired aircraft have presently been identified. From eight of them a 'TAIC' code is known as well.
| Tail code | Type | Model | Serial number | Notes | Origin | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAIC 1 | A6M 'Zero' | A6M2 | 4593 | This Zero made a forced landing on Akutan Island. Rebuilt and tested at NAS North Island (Halsey Field), California with US markings applied and assigned number TAIC 1. | Assigned to IJN Light Aircraft Carrier 'Ryujo' with tail code D1-108.[2] | Destroyed during a training accident in February 1945. |
| TAIC 2 | ||||||
| TAIC 3 | ||||||
| TAIC 4 | ||||||
| TAIC 5 | A6M 'Zero' | A6M5 | 5357 | Assigned number TAIC 5, it was flight tested at Patuxent River, Maryland. | Assigned to the 261 Kokutai. Tail code 61-120.[3] | At 'Planes of Fame' Museum, Chino, CA, USA. |
| TAIC 6 | B5N 'Kate' | B5N2 | 2194 | Tested at NAS Anacostia | Assigned to the 931st Kokutai. Tail code KEB-306.[4] | Scrapped somewhere in 1946. |
| TAIC 7 | A6M 'Zero' | A6M5 | 4340 | This aircraft was first coded as TAIC 7, and later FE-130 and eventually T2-130. Went to the USAAF Wright Field, Ohio. During 1945 it was displayed at Eglin Field. | Assigned to the 261 Kokutai, likely with tail code 61-106.[5] | Displayed at the National Air & Space Museum, Washington DC. |
| TAIC 8 | A6M 'Zero' | A6M5 | 1293 | ?? | Assigned to the Sentoki Dai Hachi Hikotai with tail code 8-24 | ?? |
| TAIC 9 | Ki-61 'Tony' | Ki-61-Ia | 263 | Reassembled and flight tested as TAIC 9 at NAS Anacostia and further at NAS Patuxent River. | Sent to the USA via TAIU-SWPA, where it had the code XJ003.[6] | Crashed at Yanceyville, NC July 2, 1945. |
| TAIC 10 | Ki-46 'Dinah' | Ki-46-II | 2846 | Restored by the 13th BS, 3rd BG whose "Grim Reaper" insignia was applied to the nose. Last mentioned on 29 May 1945, when it had a taxiing accident at Eglin Field. | ex-10th Reconnaissance Sentai, to TAIC via TAIU-SWPA | Unknown, likely scrapped. |
| TAIC 11 | A6M 'Zero' | A6M | 1303 | Designated TAIC 11 stenciled on the tail with "Technical Air Intelligence" on the right side of the cockpit and "Zeke 52" on the right side of the nose cowling. | Assigned to the 261 Kokutai with tail code 61-121.[7] | Awaiting restoration. |
| 4361 | A6M 'Zero' | A6M5 | 4361 | Assigned to the 261 Kokutai. Tail code 61-131.[8] | Likely scrapped. | |
| 6430 | Ki-43 'Oscar' | Ki-43-II | 6430 | Designated "10" stenciled on the tail with "Technical Air Intelligence" on the right side of the cockpit and "Oscar 2" on the right side of the nose cowling. | To TAIC via TAIU-SWPA, aka "Oscar 2" or "Hollandia 2"[9] | At Pima AIr Museum, Tuscon, AZ. |
References[]
- ↑ http://www.j-aircraft.com/research/David_Trojan/Technical%20Air%20Intelligence%20Wreck%20chasing%20in%20the%20Pacific%20during%20the%20war.pdf
- ↑ https://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/a6m2/4593.html
- ↑ https://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/a6m5/5357.html
- ↑ http://www.j-aircraft.com/faq/B5N.htm
- ↑ https://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/a6m5/4340.html
- ↑ https://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/ki-61/263.html
- ↑ https://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/a6m5/1303.html
- ↑ https://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/a6m5/4361.html
- ↑ https://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/ki-43/6430.html
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