Historic aircraft recovery has pulled a Shidenkai fighter plane from the ocean floor off Kagoshima Prefecture. The former Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft sank toward the end of World War II. A nonprofit group conducted the salvage operation about 200 meters offshore. Workers used a crane to lift the fuselage with its wings and engine still attached. The plane had remained submerged for over 80 years.
Manufacturers produced approximately 400 Shidenkai planes during the war. The aircraft was intended to serve as a vital element of homeland defense. The salvaged plane belonged to Captain Yoshishige Hayashi, who led the 343rd Air Group’s 407th Squadron. Hayashi made an emergency landing in the waters off Akune City after a battle with US aircraft. The military posthumously promoted him to major following his death.
The nonprofit group plans to display the recovered aircraft for public viewing. Restoration work will likely take considerable time and expertise. Conservators must carefully treat the metal to prevent further corrosion. The 80 years underwater have taken a toll on the plane’s structure. Museum visitors will eventually see a genuine Shidenkai fighter up close.
Military historians consider the Shidenkai one of Japan’s most advanced wartime fighters. The plane featured a distinctive design with a powerful engine and strong armament. Only a few examples survive today, making this recovery especially significant. Most Shidenkai planes were destroyed during the war or scrapped afterward.
The salvage operation required careful planning due to the plane’s fragile condition. Divers first surveyed the wreckage to assess its structural integrity. The crane operation lifted the aircraft gently to avoid causing additional damage. After bringing the plane to shore, workers transported it to a secure facility. The NPO will now seek funding for the restoration phase. Future generations will gain a tangible connection to Japan’s wartime past. The Shidenkai stands as a reminder of the technological ambitions of its era.
