Ki-27 vs Ki-43: Why is the Nate tougher?

[IceFire]

In-game I've noticed during some online battles that the Ki-27 is a tougher aircraft DM wise than the Ki-43. This seems anecdotally true for two reasons:

1) Structurally it's easier for me flying a Hawk-81 to de-wing or de-tail a Ki-43 with a short burst hitting with the .50cal nose guns. The Ki-27 stays together despite more punishment.

2) In terms of the components I find more often the Ki-27 can withstand fire and not have a on fire fuel tank or damaged controls whereas the Ki-43 will take a few hits and either a fuel tank will be gone or a control cable will be severed.

Any one has have similar experiences and anyone else figure why? DM bug or historical reality? To my knowledge both aircraft were lightweight and lightly protected in all aspects so I would think the Nate would be even less protected than the Oscar that replaced it...