Final Defense of 357 - Ki-61 Hein 'Tony' Canvas | INCLUDES: Engine Canister Piece

This specific Kawasaki Ha40 Engine Canister was retreived in 1989 from Ki-61 "Tony" (No. 704) at Babo Island Airstrip, Irian Jaya, New Guinea. Babo Airstrip was used by the Royal Australian Air Force until they evacuated in January, 1942. Used extensively by both the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force and Imperial Japanese Navy, Babo became a major expansion base in the Pacific theater. By 1943, Babo became an Allied target and was attacked nearly 65 times until all Japanese forces on the island were neutralized. Many Japanese aircraft were strafed on the ground or crashed in the nearby jungle.This original engine filter may have been strafed or taken fire from the ground as it includes a single bullet hole through the center and the device retains most of it's original black paint with no signs of ensuing fire damage. This item has never been in collector's circulation and is an extremely rare artifact from the South Pacific conflict. Tony '704' was recovered in 1991 and is currently awaing restoration. Engine Canister used as relic included in "Final Defense of 357" limited edition prints Excavated remains of Kawasaki Ki-61-IB Hein "Tony" No. 704 "Final Defense of 357" Canvas art with included Ki-61 "Tony" relic